Chapter 368

That fleeting emotion was all he allowed himself to show—nothing beyond that.

A deep sense of resignation settled over Nathan as his gaze remained fixed on Serena.

The realization hit him hard—he wouldn't be leaving this place tonight.

His expression turned contemplative as he wondered about Evelyn—was she asleep now? Or still angry with him?

Meanwhile, in the countryside mansion, chaos reigned. Leonard, worried sick about Evelyn, had instructed the maids to check on her hourly. Their horrified gasps echoed when they discovered Evelyn burning up with fever in the dead of night.

The family physician arrived in haste, his frown deepening when the thermometer read 39.2°C.

"Leonard, it's just a chill from the cold water. I know my body. I'll recover soon. Please don't fret," Evelyn rasped, her cheeks flushed crimson despite her weak protest.

"Do you call this trivial?" Leonard snapped, his fingers tightening around the bedpost. "When will you stop being so stubborn about your health?" He turned sharply to Margaret. "Call Nathan immediately. Tell him to get his ass home now!"

Before Margaret could dial, Evelyn's hoarse voice cut through the tension. "Don't!"

She swallowed painfully before continuing, "Please... don't disturb him. It's just a fever. I'd rather... he not come."

Biting her cracked lip, Evelyn met Leonard's gaze with startling intensity. "I don't want to see him... not now."

Leonard felt helplessness crash over him like a wave. But faced with Evelyn's iron resolve, he could only clench his fists in frustration. This was all his son's fault.

Evelyn spoke again, weaker this time. "Leonard... promise me you won't call Nathan."

With a heavy sigh, Leonard relented. "Fine. Rest now. That's an order."

"Thank you," Evelyn whispered before closing her eyes. "You should rest too. The medicine... will work soon."

After repeated reassurances, Leonard and Margaret finally left the room. Alone at last, Evelyn sank into the pillows, her body wracked with chills, until exhaustion claimed her.

By eight the next morning, her fever finally broke. The news made Leonard sag with relief against the hallway wall.

"Thank God," he murmured, rubbing his tired eyes.

Just then, the front door slammed open. Nathan strode in, his clothes wrinkled from a sleepless night.

Leonard's face darkened instantly. Snatching a porcelain cup from the side table, he hurled it at Nathan's feet where it shattered violently.

Nathan froze. Leonard's veins bulged as he roared, "Get over here now!"

Nathan, sporting dark circles and bloodshot eyes, wasn't surprised by the outburst. Steeling himself, he approached his father and stepmother.

Leonard's laugh was bitter. "Oh, so you remember where home is? Since you're so devoted to Serena, why bother coming back at all? Maybe you should just move in with her permanently!"