Chapter 282

Victor Kane gripped Evelyn Carter's chin, his dark eyes widening with sudden fascination as he studied her delicate features. "Well now, aren't you a sight? That porcelain skin... so flawless..."

Seeing Victor's growing interest in Evelyn, Vanessa Hart exhaled in quiet relief.

At least things are still going according to plan, she thought. Even if everything else is falling apart.

Victor began unbuckling his belt, and in those fleeting seconds, Evelyn's mind spun with desperate calculations.

Begging would be useless—men like Victor thrived on submission. It would only make him hungrier.

Instead, she kept her voice steady, cold. "You want money, don't you? Touch me, and you'll lose it all."

Victor paused, intrigued. "Oh?"

"Think carefully. A fleeting moment of pleasure... or a fortune that could change your life?"

The offer sparked something in him. "How much are we talking?"

Evelyn didn't blink. "Enough to make this the best decision you've ever made."

Victor tilted his head, considering.

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms. No. This wasn't part of the deal.

Evelyn pressed on, her gaze unyielding. "Or you could be stupid. Your choice."

A slow grin spread across Victor's face.

"Now that," he murmured, "is interesting."

Vanessa felt a chill run down her spine as Evelyn's piercing gaze landed on her.

Something wasn't right.

Evelyn's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "The price depends entirely on how much her husband values her."

Victor frowned, scratching his stubbled chin. "What kind of game are you playing?"

"Just take my phone and redial the last number she called," Evelyn commanded, her voice laced with steel.

Victor hesitated, sensing the shift in atmosphere. "Why your phone? Will her husband answer? What's your relationship with him?"

Evelyn's laugh was cold. "Our relationship doesn't matter. What matters is that her so-called husband is the crown prince of Cresthaven."

At the mention of the Cresthaven prince, Victor's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. His thick fingers fumbled with the phone as he hastily dialed.

The line connected after just one ring.

Alexander's warm voice filled the abandoned warehouse, laced with hopeful surprise. "Evelyn? You're calling me?"

Vanessa's blood ran cold. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.

A sharp pang of humiliation twisted inside her.

Evelyn is doing this on purpose! She’s making a fool of me in front of everyone!

Ethan answered Evelyn’s call instantly.

"Evelyn? What’s going on? Why aren’t you saying anything?" His voice was laced with concern when only silence greeted him.

Victor smirked, his grip tightening on the phone. "Your Highness, which of these lovely ladies is your wife?"

Ethan’s jaw clenched. Hearing the unfamiliar, mocking voice, his tone turned icy. "Who the hell is this?"

"Your granddaddy!" Victor sneered, relishing the moment.

His men erupted into cruel laughter around him.

In that instant, Ethan realized the gravity of the situation.

Evelyn’s in danger.

His mind raced.

"How much do you want?" Ethan demanded, already striding toward the door, his pulse hammering.

"Twenty million. Not a cent less," Victor drawled, his fingers trailing along Evelyn’s cheek with a revolting possessiveness.

Evelyn jerked her head away, her voice sharp as a blade. "Don't you dare touch me!"

The sound of her voice sent a tremor through Ethan Caldwell.

His mind raced with horrifying images of what those men might be doing to her. His chest tightened, and he began pacing like a caged animal, his hands clenched into fists.

Every second felt like an eternity.

The thought of losing her—of failing her—was unbearable.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it. Nothing mattered except getting her back.

Safe.

Unharmed.

His.