Chapter 385

Julian gently picked up the phone, careful not to disturb Evelyn's peaceful slumber.

He stepped outside, curiosity gnawing at him about the caller's identity.

At first, Julian considered ignoring it. But the relentless ringing suggested it couldn't wait. With a sigh, he finally answered. "Hello, who is this?"

On the other end, Nathaniel recognized the voice instantly, and his expression darkened. "Julian?"

"Nathaniel." Julian hadn't expected him to be calling. But he couldn't deny the tension crackling between them.

A low chuckle escaped Julian. "Bold of you to call."

Nathaniel's voice was sharp with barely restrained fury. "Put Evelyn on the phone."

That woman—pregnant and still managing to disappear. He'd spent the entire day searching, even fearing she might have gotten hurt. And now, her lover was answering her phone.

He shouldn't have wasted his concern.

Julian's tone turned glacial. "Who do you think you are? You think Evelyn will just obey your command? Listen carefully, Nathaniel—stay away from her, or you'll regret it."

If not for Evelyn's sake, he would have already told Alexander everything.

"This is Bern City, not Nord City. Drop the act, Julian. I won't repeat myself—get Evelyn on the phone."

Nathaniel's arrogance was infuriating, but his confidence wasn't unfounded. The Montgomerys might dominate Nord City, but here, he held the power.

Julian's jaw tightened. "Nathaniel Whitmore, you're delusional."

"I'm her husband," Nathaniel snapped.

Julian's fury flared. "Nathaniel, Evelyn is pregnant. Your actions will only hurt her!"

The sooner this marriage ended, the better. Evelyn needed to return to Nord City—where she belonged.

Unmoved, Nathaniel retorted, "That's not your decision. Pregnant or not, she's still my wife."

"In your dreams," Julian shot back. "Nathaniel, don't think the Montgomerys fear you just because this is Bern City. Lay a finger on her, and we'll come for you."

"Then let's see. In Bern City, there's no one I can't find," Nathaniel growled.

Julian's expression hardened. "A reminder—your grandmother is still in the ICU. As her chief surgeon, I know exactly how fragile her condition is. Cross me, and you know what happens."

Nathaniel's rage spiked. "Are you threatening me?"

"Absolutely. The Montgomerys don't make empty threats." Julian ended the call without hesitation. He had no doubt—his family would protect Evelyn at all costs.

Even if it meant revealing the truth to her.

Nathaniel's face twisted with fury. He turned to Robert. "Have you found her?"

"Not yet, but I've stationed men at Mrs. Whitmore's school and set up surveillance at her residence. The moment she appears, we'll know," Robert reported.

"Call them off. Withdraw everyone," Nathaniel ordered abruptly.

Robert hesitated but complied after seeing Nathaniel's expression.

What a disaster.

Robert cleared his throat. "Mr. Whitmore, if I may offer my opinion..."

"Go ahead."

"I don't believe Mrs. Whitmore is that kind of woman. With modern technology, a simple prenatal paternity test could settle this."