Chapter 483

From their vantage point, Evelyn Whitmore, Seraphina Montgomery, and Sebastian Monroe couldn't hear the conversation between the stall owner and the man. Yet one thing was certain - seeing someone as distinguished as Nathaniel Grayson sitting at a roadside food stall created a jarring contrast.

Sebastian let out a low whistle. "Boss, I never imagined Nathaniel would frequent places like this common folk do. Barbecue, beer, and chips at a street stall? But why's he alone? Drinking solo isn't any fun."

Evelyn found the scene equally puzzling. Hadn't Nathaniel mentioned catching a flight when they met at the hospital earlier? Why was he still in New Capital City?

Her mind flashed back to when she'd dined alone at this very stall, and Nathaniel had spotted her while passing by. He'd joined her, sampling the barbecue despite his usual refined tastes. She remembered being so full afterward that she couldn't stand, and how he'd taken her hand to help her up.

The memory made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Who knows? Maybe he's expecting company." Evelyn's appetite vanished. "Let's go somewhere else. Somewhere simpler."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Expecting company? You think he's waiting for you, boss?"

Evelyn shot him a glare. "In your dreams! Just drive."

Exchanging glances, Sebastian and Seraphina complied, pulling away from the stall.

Nathaniel sat at the mismatched stall, drawing constant attention from passersby. People whispered theories about his identity, but none dared meet his piercing gaze directly, stealing only furtive glances.

After several minutes, Nathaniel rose without touching his food. He strode away with commanding presence, indifferent to the mix of admiration and confusion following him.

Lucas Sinclair opened the car door, waiting until Nathaniel was seated before exhaling quietly.

For the past month, Nathaniel had visited this stall periodically. He'd order food but never eat, simply sitting in silent contemplation.

While others might not understand, Lucas knew. Evelyn - now missing - had loved this stall's food. Before her disappearance, Nathaniel would sometimes send Lucas to fetch takeout from here, despite his usual distaste for street food. He'd compromised because she enjoyed it.

Lucas used to believe Amelia Rivers was the most important woman in Nathaniel's life, given how readily he accommodated her requests.

Then Evelyn appeared, and Lucas witnessed what true love looked like.

Nathaniel's care for Amelia stemmed from gratitude for saving his life. But with Evelyn, his tenderness came freely - pure, unconditional devotion.

Sliding into the passenger seat, Lucas turned to report. "Sir, we still have no leads on Miss Evelyn's whereabouts."

"People don't vanish. Keep searching." Nathaniel's calm voice carried steel beneath its surface.

"Yes, sir." Lucas signaled the driver.

The luxury Mercedes-Benz MPV glided away, moving in the opposite direction of the car that had paused briefly by the roadside earlier.