Chapter 465

Julian Roland's pupils constricted sharply as his fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk.

"Sebastian Valdemar?"

His Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at his grinning younger brother on the screen. "I'll handle this."

"Take me with you?"

"Not happening."

The call ended abruptly. Alexander Roland bared his teeth at the darkened phone screen.

"Suit yourself!"

He snatched his car keys and bolted toward the garage. Today, he would unmask the bastard who'd stolen his sister away.

The sports car roared out of the Beverly Hills estate.

At the three-way intersection, Alexander slammed the brakes.

"Damn it..."

He raked fingers through his hair before swerving toward Château Blanc.

The security guards bowed at the familiar vehicle. But Alexander remained hunched in the driver's seat, sunglasses and mask obscuring his face.

Noon sun scorched the windshield.

"Don't tell me..." Visions of Evelyn and Sebastian's romantic rendezvous flashed through his mind. He covered his eyes dramatically. "My retinas!"

Knock knock knock.

The sudden rapping nearly launched him through the roof.

"Alex?"

His sister's icy voice pierced through the glass. Alexander turned to stone.

"Counting to three." The temperature dropped further. "One—"

The door flew open. Alexander forced a grimace that resembled a smile. "Fancy meeting you here, Evie."

Evelyn crossed her arms, fingers drumming against her elbow. "My phone's been alerting me since you ran the first red light."

"......"

Alexander leaned back so abruptly he nearly toppled into the footwell.

"Care to explain?" His sister's tilted head sent chills down his spine.

"I—I came for wine tasting!"

"With binoculars and a voice recorder?"

His ears burned crimson. Inspiration struck. He adopted a brooding expression. "Actually, I'm writing a detective novel..."

"Oh?" Evelyn drew out the syllable before yanking his ear. "Would you like firsthand prison research?"

"Ow ow ow! I confess!"

Their entangled shadows stretched across the pavement under the midday sun. Passing staff members ducked their heads to hide laughter.

Rubbing his throbbing ear, Alexander suddenly noticed faint red marks peeking above Evelyn's collar.

"Evie, your neck—"

The words died in his throat under her glacial stare.

"Alex." She smoothed her cuffs with deliberate slowness. "You were saying something about a confession?"

Alexander swallowed hard. In this moment, he knew with absolute certainty—he was dancing on the razor's edge of oblivion.