Chapter 292

Chapter 292
Evelyn's POV

The next day arrived with all the weight of my mounting dread. Hunter and I had planned a quiet lunch at The Ritz-Carlton, hoping for some normalcy after the chaos of recent days. The restaurant's elegant atmosphere should have been soothing, but I felt like I was sitting on a powder keg.

We'd barely settled into our seats when a server approached with a silver tray.

"Excuse me, ma'am, sir. This dish is compliments of a guest at another table - Mr. Dorian Blackwood."

The name hit me like a physical blow. Goosebumps erupted across my arms as every nerve in my body went on high alert. My appetite vanished instantly.

"We don't know any guest named Dorian Blackwood," I said firmly, pushing the plate away. "Please take it back."

The server looked confused but nodded, retreating with the unwanted offering. Hunter raised an eyebrow at my sharp reaction, but I couldn't bring myself to explain. Not here, not now.

My phone had been buzzing incessantly in my purse, and I'd been deliberately ignoring it. Each vibration felt like a small electric shock, reminding me of the web I was trapped in.

That's when I saw him.

Dorian strode through the restaurant like he owned the place, James and his other lackeys trailing behind him. He moved with that predatory grace that made my skin crawl, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on our table.

I immediately ducked my head, shoving food into my mouth mechanically, hoping he'd pass by without stopping. But luck had never been on my side where Dorian was concerned.

"Well, well," his smooth voice cut through the ambient restaurant chatter as he approached our table. "I heard there was some commotion here earlier. Quite the scene, wasn't it?"

I looked up, meeting his gaze with all the venom I could muster. "You heard wrong."

His lips curved into that familiar, infuriating smirk. Without warning, he reached toward my neck, his fingers aiming for the spot where his marks still lingered beneath my carefully applied concealer.

Instinct took over. My hand shot out, slapping his hand away with a sharp crack that drew stares from nearby diners.

"Angry?" Dorian asked, rubbing his hand with mock hurt. "Yesterday was my fault, I was a bit rough, but I couldn't help myself, could I? You bring out the animal in me."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "Don't you dare talk nonsense!"

Hunter had been watching this exchange with deadly calm, but now he leaned back in his chair, his voice carrying that dangerous edge I'd learned to recognize.

"Interesting how you keep showing up where you're not wanted, Blackwood. But here's the thing - no matter what games you think you're playing, she goes home with me every night. She sleeps in my bed."

I wanted to disappear. Sitting there while two men discussed me like I was some prize to be won made my stomach turn. The worst part was the kernel of truth in both their words that I couldn't deny.

Dorian's eyes glittered with malicious amusement. "Speaking of loyalty, Evelyn, you really shouldn't be sending me warnings about Hunter's plans. It puts us both in such an awkward position."

My fork clattered against my plate. "When did I ever send you such messages?" I couldn't hide the disgust in my voice.

"No? Then perhaps you should check your phone." His smile widened. "Go ahead, show Hunter what's there. Clear your name."

My blood turned to ice. The constant buzzing in my purse suddenly made perfect sense. While I'd been ignoring my phone, he'd been filling it with God knows what kind of incriminating messages.

I fumbled for my phone, keeping it low against my lap as I opened the message app. What I saw made my heart stop.

Message after message from Dorian's number, all crafted to look like I was feeding him information about Hunter's business dealings, his security arrangements, his vulnerabilities. Anyone reading these would think I was actively betraying the man I claimed to love.

"Well?" Dorian asked sweetly. "Show them."

Liam leaned forward, his voice sharp with suspicion. "Let me see that phone."

I clutched the device against my chest. "That's private."

"If you have nothing to hide—" Liam started.

"I don't have to prove anything to you."

But then Hunter extended his hand, his expression unreadable. "Evelyn. Let me see."

The betrayal cut deep. "You don't trust me either?"

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with hurt and accusation. Hunter's face didn't change, but I saw something flicker in his eyes - doubt, maybe, or resignation.

I couldn't find a reason to refuse that wouldn't make me look more guilty. The silence stretched until I felt like screaming.

Finally, Dorian chuckled and stepped back. "This has been enlightening, but I have other matters to attend to. Enjoy your meal."

He left us sitting in the wreckage of what should have been a peaceful lunch, the tension so thick I could barely breathe.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of anxiety. Hunter and I had planned to catch a movie that evening, something normal and distracting. But as I was getting ready to leave, he got a call about an emergency meeting at Apex Innovations.

"I'm sorry," he said, already reaching for his jacket. "This can't wait."

"It's fine. I'll go alone."

I was actually relieved. The thought of sitting in a dark theater, pretending everything was normal while my world fell apart around me, seemed impossible with Hunter there watching my every reaction.

But as I grabbed my keys, my phone rang. The caller ID showed Dorian's number.

"Doctor," his voice was silky smooth, "I'm not feeling well. I need you to come see me."

"I'm not available," I replied curtly, already knowing where this was going.

"Come now, don't be so cold. I really do need medical attention."

The silence stretched so long I thought he might have hung up.

I closed my eyes, feeling the trap snap shut around me. "What do you want?"

"Just a house call, Doctor. Nothing more complicated than that."

My voice came out hollow. "Do you have a medical kit at home?"

"Everything you could possibly need."

"Fine. I'll come over right now."