She was trying to get the household staff''s attention, but no one showed up.


    Charles saw right through Evelyn''s n and let out a mockingugh. She quickly realized that Charles had sent everyone away. No matter how loudly she yelled, no servant dared toe near this area.


    With no one to call for help, Evelyn raised her other hand to defend herself. Charles grabbed her hand, yanked her towards him, and pinned her against a decorative rockery, her back pressed against the rough, uneven stone. Evelyn winced in pain, furrowed her brow, and kicked out. "Charles, get off me!"


    With a swift move, Charles pinned her legs down with his, leaving her unable to move. His long fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze. His voice wasmanding, "Reject Brooks and clear things up with Grandma." "Why should I listen to you?!" Evelyn''s eyes were icy. Who did he think he was?


    "Why? Because you''re mine, Evelyn! As long as I don''t give my nod, you can forget about being with anyone else. Got it?"


    The possessive look in Charles'' eyes was unmistakable. It was a man''s stubborn nature. Even if he didn''t love or ever considered marrying her, he wouldn''t let another mane near her because she had been with him.


    Evelyn shot back with a coldugh, "Charles, listen carefully. Don''t think you''re more important than you are. I''ll be with whoever I want, and I don''t need your permission!"


    "You wouldn''t dare!" A furious rage shed in Charles'' eyes, and suddenly, he leaned down and kissed Evelyn hard.


    He could see that Brooks genuinely


    liked Evelyn. The way he looked at her was far from innocent. A wave of jealousy surged, and Charles'' kiss became even more intense. Evelyn resisted and fought back with all her strength. As Charles tried to force his way between her lips, her face showed nothing but defiance. She resisted fiercely, not letting him win.


    Her resistance only darkened Charles'' expression, and his kisses grew wilder. It wasn''t just a kiss-it was a battle.


    When it finally ended, both were left breathless. Evelyn got tired of resisting, and Charles was infuriated by the anger her defiance sparked in him.


    "Evelyn, are you dreaming of being


    with Brooks? Don''t you know who you really are?" he repeated the


    hurtful truth. She was just a


    servant''s daughter. She wasn''t


    worth


    of him. Even when she was carrying Charlie, he did not consider marrying her. Likewise, she wasn''t worthy of Brooks.


    "You think he''s like you?" Evelyn''s words made Charles'' face darken ominously.


    "Evelyn, are you thinking of moving on to another man? Did you even ask Charlie?"


    At the mention of Charlie, Evelyn''s expression changed instantly. Charles noticed the shift and understood. Charlie wouldn''t approve. His daughter would never call anyone else Dad.


    Before he could say more, Tony''s voice echoed nearby, asking if anyone had seen Evelyn. Charles decided to drop the topic and released her.


    Before leaving, Evelyn gave Charles


    a hard kick and then turned to walk away. As he watched her leave, her attitude only made his gaze grow colder. He took out his phone and called Aiden.


    "Find out where Evelyn is hiding Charlie."