Chapter 192

The last golden rays of the setting sun streamed through the car window, casting a warm glow on Evelyn Roland's profile.

Hugo suddenly wrenched his hand free and darted across the street.

"Watch out!" A screech of brakes pierced the air.

At the critical moment, Hugo yanked Evelyn's sleeve, pulling her back onto the sidewalk.

An out-of-control electric bike whizzed past, grazing the hem of her skirt.

"You bitch!" A disheveled woman tumbled off the bike, brandishing a fruit knife as she lunged toward them.

Sebastian Valdemar sprang forward, his long fingers clamping around the woman's wrist with precision.

A sharp snap echoed as the knife clattered to the ground.

"Let me go! I'll kill her!" The woman thrashed hysterically, her nails raking bloody streaks down Sebastian's arm.

His eyes turned icy. In three swift motions, he twisted his tie around her wrists, binding them behind her back.

"Are you hurt?" When he turned, his shirt cuff was already soaked with blood.

Evelyn shook her head, her gaze fixed on Hugo. "Hugo, you—"

"Big sister, your dress is dirty." Hugo tilted his small face up, his voice as clear as morning dew.

Both froze.

Evelyn knelt, her fingers trembling slightly. "You... just spoke?"

Hugo blinked his large eyes before breaking into a radiant smile. "Mm! I can talk now!"

Sirens wailed in the distance.

The setting sun stretched their three shadows long across the pavement, intertwining them into a warm silhouette.

On the ride back, Evelyn kept nodding off.

"Get some rest." Sebastian shrugged off his suit jacket and handed it to her.

She murmured drowsily before her head lolled against the window.

Frowning, Sebastian carefully lifted Hugo onto the opposite seat.

Then, with deliberate gentleness, he cradled the back of Evelyn's head and guided it to rest on his shoulder.

The faint scent of gardenias enveloped him.

He glanced down. Her lashes cast delicate shadows under her eyes, and for a moment, his breath hitched.

"We're here." The driver's voice snapped him out of his daze.

Evelyn rubbed her eyes awake, flushing crimson when she realized she'd been leaning on Sebastian.

"I—"

"My jacket." He turned away, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Don't forget to return it."

Evelyn looked down at the folded suit in her arms, still carrying the faint aroma of cedarwood.