Chapter 363

A hushed crowd had gathered outside the guest room, their curious gazes immediately drawn to the bed.

The sheets lay perfectly smooth, untouched. Ethan stood motionless, his clothes drenched, water dripping onto the carpet. His usually composed demeanor was shattered.

Eleanor rushed forward, her face pale with worry. "Ethan! What happened? Why are you soaked?"

His skin burned beneath her touch, feverish and clammy.

"You're burning up!" Her voice trembled. "How did this happen?"

Ethan's sharp gaze cut through the room, landing on Vanessa.

She flinched under the intensity of his stare.

Sophia turned to Vanessa, arms crossed. "You claimed there was a woman in here. Where is she?"

"I—" Vanessa faltered, her confidence crumbling. She had seen Evelyn guiding Ethan inside with her own eyes.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

By now, everyone should have found them together—Evelyn and Ethan, tangled in scandal. There would be no escape for her.

Yet the room was empty.

Ethan's fever, his drenched clothes—none of it made sense.

Vanessa's pulse raced. Something had gone terribly wrong.

Vanessa had been certain that if Evelyn was caught seducing a married man, even with Alexander's backing, her reputation would be utterly ruined.

Everything should have gone perfectly, yet now, Evelyn had vanished without a trace.

Vanessa had personally locked the door.

Her gaze flickered toward the bathroom. She rushed over and shoved the door open.

Next, she checked the wardrobe and beneath the bed. Finding them empty, her face drained of color.

“She’s gone,” Vanessa whispered, disbelief lacing her voice.

Sophia’s interest evaporated instantly. “Dragging everyone here in the dead of night for what? A ridiculous farce?”

Harold shot Vanessa a disapproving look. “If there’s nothing to see, everyone should leave.”

It was late, and no one wanted to stay a moment longer.

One by one, the crowd dispersed.

Eleanor, however, kept her eyes fixed on Ethan, sensing something off about the night’s events.

“Ethan, why are your clothes soaking wet?”

“Ask Vanessa. She pushed me into the lake,” Ethan replied, his piercing gaze locking onto Vanessa once more.

At his words, Eleanor’s expression darkened instantly. "Vanessa, have you lost your mind?"

Vanessa’s voice trembled as she defended herself. "It wasn’t intentional! It was an accident!"

Ethan scoffed, his eyes flashing with fury. "Don’t lie. You pushed me into the lake, promised to get help, and instead, you brought an audience to witness some fabricated scandal?"

Vanessa bit her lip hard, her nails digging into her palms. "I was just… upset when I saw you two together."

"Upset?" Ethan’s voice dripped with disdain. "What gives you the right? And that scent in the room—the one meant to provoke desire—wasn’t that your doing?"

"What scent?" Vanessa widened her eyes, feigning innocence. "Ethan, I don’t know what you’re talking about."

By now, the lingering traces of the scent had faded, giving her the confidence to play dumb.

"Ethan," she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "Are you really misunderstanding me like this?"

Her voice cracked dramatically. "Even if you have feelings for Evelyn, I could have tolerated your secret meetings. But this is Harold’s house! How could you be so shameless in front of him?"

Eleanor’s sharp gaze flickered between them before she interjected. "Ethan, what exactly is going on between you and Evelyn? Have you two—?"

"Mother!" Ethan cut her off coldly, his jaw tight. "Are you really going to believe her lies so easily?"

The words barely left her lips when Ethan Caldwell's fingers closed around Vanessa Hart's throat, his grip tightening with barely restrained rage. His eyes burned with a fire that sent chills down her spine.

"You honestly believe my mother's favor makes you untouchable?" His voice was a dangerous whisper, laced with venom.

Vanessa gasped for air, her nails digging into his wrist, but his hold didn't loosen.

"Playing games with me?" Ethan snarled, his face inches from hers. "Vanessa, you must have a death wish."

The air between them crackled with tension, his fury palpable.

She choked out a laugh, defiance flashing in her eyes despite the fear. "You wouldn't dare."

His grip tightened further. "Try me."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Secret Longing: A Love Reclaimed (Evelyn Carter) novel