Chapter 239

The sound of chaotic footsteps echoed outside the window. Shadows crowded against the glass—too many to count. Evelyn Roland realized the entire villa was surrounded.

Her fingers trembled as she instinctively grabbed Sebastian Valdemar’s sleeve.

"Don’t be afraid." His hand closed over hers, warm and steady.

A blond man at the front raised his gun, eyes dark with malice. "Hand over the Divine Elixir, or else—"

Before he could finish, he signaled sharply. The door burst open as armed men flooded in.

Sebastian moved to shield Evelyn—then suddenly doubled over in agony. His muscles locked, veins bulging at his temples.

"An attack?" Her chest tightened.

His grip on her wrist turned bruising. "Run."

"I’m a doctor!" She stood her ground.

Something unreadable flashed in his eyes. Then he yanked her toward the staircase.

"After them!" The enraged shout chased them up the steps.

They stumbled into the study. Evelyn watched, stunned, as Sebastian twisted the bronze paperweight on the desk. With a mechanical click, the entire bookshelf slid aside, revealing a hidden passage.

A powerful shove sent her tumbling into the darkness.

"Sebastian!" She whirled, reaching for him—but the stone door was already closing.

"There’s a car at the end," he said, voice eerily calm. "Don’t look back."

"You’re lying!" Her fists pounded against the unyielding stone as tears blurred her vision. The gap narrowed until only his resolute gaze remained.

The door sealed shut just as boots thundered into the room.

"Where are they?"

A sickening thud—someone slammed against furniture. Sebastian’s muffled grunt of pain reached Evelyn through the stone.

She pressed her palm to the cold surface, nails biting into her flesh. Not a sound escaped her.

"Search! She’s still here!"

A tear hit the passage floor. Evelyn turned away, jaw clenched. The tunnel stretched endlessly black—just like the abyss in her chest.