Chapter 76

Sebastian's brows furrowed into a tight knot.

He had never encountered such a stubborn woman.

"Stop her!" he barked, but Theodore barely took a step before the slender figure vanished into the thick smoke.

"Damn it!"

Tearing off his tie, Sebastian charged into the inferno without hesitation.

The scorching heat hit him like a wall. He seized Evelyn's wrist. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Her cheeks were flushed from the heat, her lashes dusted with ash. "These paintings are Grandfather Charles's life!"

Artworks lay scattered across the floor, some already licked by flames.

"Move!" She wrenched free and lunged for a nearby landscape.

Sebastian cursed, grabbing a bucket of water to douse the burning curtains.

"Hurry up!" He whipped off his suit jacket, beating back the encroaching fire.

As Evelyn gathered the scrolls, the ceiling groaned ominously.

"Look out!"

Sebastian shielded her just as a blazing beam crashed beside them.

The heat seared her back.

"Go!" He dragged her toward the exit, only to find their path blocked by a toppled bookshelf.

Flames devoured the last remaining paintings.

Evelyn suddenly broke free.

"You—"

She sprinted toward the fire without looking back. An explosion hurled her backward just as her fingers brushed a scroll.

Sebastian caught her scorched body.

"Enough!" His voice was raw. "Do you want Grandfather Charles to watch you die?"

The woman in his arms went rigid.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Staring at the ashes of her inheritance, she dug her nails into her palms.

"Thanks." The word was forced through clenched teeth.

Silently, Sebastian draped his jacket over her shoulders.

Outside, Victoria's heels clicked sharply against the cobblestones.

"Oh my!" She gasped theatrically. "Grandfather's estate—"

Evelyn lifted her head slowly.

Victoria recoiled from the bloodshot glare.

"You did this." It wasn't a question.

"Has my sister lost her mind?" Victoria forced a smile. "I just arrived—"

A sharp slap cut her off.

Victoria clutched her cheek, stunned.

"That," Evelyn enunciated, "was for Grandfather."

She bent to retrieve a charred fragment of canvas, her eyes glacial as she turned. "We'll settle the Lowell family's debts... slowly."