Chapter 228

The room was so quiet the ticking of the clock echoed clearly.

Sebastian Valdemar suddenly heard a soft chuckle.

Evelyn Roland turned to face him, her lips curved slightly, but her eyes remained cold.

"I saw the messages on your phone."

"At this point, I don't want to dwell on it."

She paused, tapping her fingers lightly against the desk. "But your previous investigation did cause me quite a bit of trouble."

The atmosphere between them was eerily calm.

Sebastian set down his teacup, the porcelain clinking against the wood.

"What exactly is this Divine Elixir? Why are they so desperate to get it?"

"My blood."

Evelyn said it plainly, as if discussing the weather.

Sebastian's pupils constricted.

She had just revealed the secret so casually?

"I wasn't planning to keep it from you any longer."

Evelyn saw his shock and sighed. "Absurd, isn't it? Even I don't understand why my blood has this effect."

She pressed her lips together. "I'm still investigating the reason behind it."

If not for Charles Lowell's protection all these years, she would have been in grave danger long ago.

Sebastian's expression darkened, his chest tightening.

"If the Divine Elixir is your blood..." His voice turned grave. "Then you're in far more danger than we thought. If they discover the truth, not just you—everyone around you will be at risk."

"They shouldn't know yet."

Sebastian's gaze burned into her. "But you need to leave. Now."

This was a question Evelyn had agonized over countless times.

She lowered her lashes, silent for a long moment.

If her family suffered because of her, she could never forgive herself.

"I understand." She finally spoke. "I'll leave tomorrow."

She had just returned to the Roland family. She refused to become their curse.

"Good." Sebastian nodded. "I'll come for you tomorrow."

"Come for me?" Evelyn frowned. "I can handle it myself."

"You're moving in with me."

Evelyn shot to her feet, the chair screeching against the floor.

"What did you say?"

"My estate has top-tier security. It's the safest place for you." Sebastian stood as well. "Besides, I bear responsibility for this."

"The Divine Elixir existed long before you got involved."

Evelyn massaged her temples. "Thank you for saving me today, but I'll handle the rest myself."

Living with Sebastian?

Preposterous.

She turned to leave, but a strong hand suddenly seized her wrist.