Chapter 21

Without Charles’ arms to support her, Evelyn’s legs gave way, and she almost slipped to the ground.
Just as she steadied herself, she realized that Adam was no match for Charles at all. She immediately stumbled over, blocking Charles and preventing him from laying another hand on Adam. Charles looked down, his gaze cold as he stared at Evelyn. His voice was icy as he said, “Move aside!”
Evelyn wouldn’t budge. Her defense of Adam only made Charles’ eyes grow colder.
Without another word, he suddenly raised his hand, grabbed Evelyn’s arm, and, with a pull, dragged her aside.
The moment he looked up at Adam, a gust of wind blew. With a “bang,” the door to the spare room was blown shut by the wind.
Charles didn’t notice the anomaly in the spare room and strode toward Adam.
Adam suppressed the churning blood in his chest, stood up with a similarly cold expression, and saw Charles tossing Evelyn aside. She couldn’t keep steady and fell to the ground.
“Evelyn!” Adam rushed over to help. Before he could get close, Charles caught his hand, lifted his leg, and kicked fiercely at his shin. Adam winced in pain. His knee weakened, and he half-kneeled on the ground. Charles twisted his hand backward. With that twist, Adam’s hand was broken.
“Charles, stop!”
Eyes brimming with fury, Evelyn immediately got up from the ground. Before Charles could act, she grabbed his arm to stop him. She voiced an emotional plea. “You can’t hurt his hand. It’s very important to him!” Noticing Evelyn’s worry, Charles suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Adam’s hand is important, but Dahlia’s isn’t?”
So that was it.
Evelyn realized Charles had come believing she had intentionally hurt Dahlia’s hand, and was seeking retribution on Dahlia’s behalf.
Evelyn conceded. “I’ve admitted my mistake. Isn’t it enough? I shouldn’t have burned Dahlia’s hand. Let go now, and I’ll apologize to her!”
“Evelyn, why do you admit to something you didn’t do? I won’t allow you to apologize to that manipulator.”
No matter what, Adam always trusted Evelyn unconditionally, even though she hadn’t told him about this incident.
“Charles, if you dare, break my hand-”
“Shut up!” Evelyn, with tears in her eyes, interrupted Adam.
She knew better than anyone how important Adam’s hand was. He was planning to compete next year and dreamed of winning a gold medal. He had worked hard for many years and endured much hardship for this. Adam wanted to say more but was silenced by Evelyn’s look.
He understood her. Once she was set on something, no one could change her mind.
“Let go. I’ll take you to apologize.”
Charles took an intense look at Evelyn, slowly releasing his grip.
…
As the evening lights came on, a black car drove through the crowded streets.
After getting in the car, Evelyn closed her eyes, leaning silently against the seatback. Her whole demeanor spelled out a refusal to communicate.
She didn’t notice that the car was not heading toward Central Hospital but toward Oakwood Manor.
“Stay away from Adam in the future,” Charles warned, his voice sounding cold.
Evelyn could hear the warning in Charles’ words. She initially did not want to engage with Charles, but she feared he might harm Adam. Charles’ status in the Capital meant harming Adam would be easy for him. She just opened her eyes, looked at Charles, and earnestly explained, “Adam and I are just friends.”
“Huh.” Charles let out a cold laugh. “Friends? What kind of friends need to be all over each other?”
Evelyn wanted to hold back, but she couldn’t. “Don’t project your filthy thoughts onto everything.” As her words fell, the temperature inside the car dropped sharply.
“What did you say?” Charles suddenly turned the steering wheel, pulling the car over to stop.
He unbuckled his seatbelt, turned towards Evelyn, and pressed her against the car door, his gaze dangerously intense.
His sudden closeness made Evelyn’s breath hitch. As Charles moved in to kiss her, she instinctively shrank back, tilting her head to avoid his advance.
Determined not to let him affect her, she took a deep breath and said coldly, “Are we going to apologize to Dahlia, or not? If not, I’m getting out of the car.”