Nathan escorted Kathryn out of the car himself, his grip firm as he led her through a concealed entrance and down into his villa's forbidden lower level.
The underground chamber she was pushed into was reinforced with steel walls and surveillance cameras, sealed tight with a single exit. One glance told her everything—there was no escaping this place.
She had been trapped.
"You won't be stepping out of this room," Nathan said coolly, sinking into the sofa as though he were merely discussing the weather, calculation flashing in his eyes. "The lock is controlled externally. You'll stay here until the child is born."
Kathryn's pulse thundered in her ears. She snapped back, disbelief and fury colliding, "Are you insane? A child? What makes you think I'd ever carry a baby for you?"
Nathan's gaze drifted to the dried blood at her neck. He swallowed the violent impulse rising within him and instead curved his lips into a chilling smile.
"You got into my bed with one goal—to get pregnant, didn't you? Then you planned to use the baby as leverage to force me into marriage."
Kathryn let out a sharp laugh, rolling her eyes in open contempt. "Marriage? Don't flatter yourself. Unlock the door and let me leave—now."
She had never wanted his name or status. His genetics were all she had come for, and she already had them.
Nathan paused, surprise flickering across his features. Women usually clawed their way toward his surname. This one wanted nothing of it. He studied her anew, reassessing the reckless woman who dared defy him so openly.
"You crossed a line when you slept with me. Actions have consequences," he said coldly. "One year. After the child is born, you walk free."
Rage warped Kathryn's expression. She had never imagined being cornered into something so cruel.
Her hands clenched until her joints cracked. Without warning, she lunged and swung at him with all her strength.
Having fought with her the previous night, Nathan had stayed alert this whole time. He reacted instantly, blocking and striking back.
They clashed in a vicious exchange, neither yielding, oblivious to the footsteps approaching behind them.
"That's enough! You reckless brat—lay another hand on her and I'll tear you apart! My precious great-grandchild comes first!" Eunice Walker stormed in, striding forward and slapping Nathan hard.
The words "precious great-grandchild" stunned Nathan. He froze for a split second—long enough to take the slap from his grandmother and another punch from Kathryn.
Nathan staggered back, pain exploding through old injuries. He coughed harshly, breath coming uneven.
He lifted his head and shot a lethal glare at Vince, who stood frozen behind the others. The look alone demanded how security had failed so spectacularly.
Vince shrank, staring at the floor, unable to offer a single word in defense.
Kathryn stared at the newcomer in disbelief, the question escaping before she could stop it. "Eunice? What are you doing here?" She had known the older woman for years through her mother's friendship.
"Oh, Kathryn, darling. What a coincidence," Eunice said brightly, seizing Kathryn's hand as she laughed, delight gleaming in her eyes without restraint.
Eunice spun toward Nathan and fixed him with a blistering stare. She let out a sharp snort, and then smoothed her expression and turned back, her tone turning coaxing and warm.
"Kathryn, dear, I'm Nathan's grandmother. Ignore his nonsense—our family never dodges responsibility."
She added, "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll personally see to it that you become Nathan's wife."
Kathryn went rigid, as if struck by a bolt of lightning. She gaped at Eunice in outright alarm, shaking her head again and again.
"Eunice, that's not what I want."
"Grandma, enough."
Nathan and Kathryn spoke almost at the same time.
Eunice knew her nearly thirty-year-old grandson all too well. After years of stubborn bachelorhood, he had finally slept with a woman—there was no chance she would allow him to wriggle free now. She intended to bind them together once and for all.
Especially when the woman involved happened to be her favorite—Kathryn.
She lifted her hand and slapped Nathan again, this time striking directly over the wound on his back. Vince flinched and reflexively ducked, wincing as if the blow had landed on him instead.
With Eunice firmly inserted into the situation, it was clear things were about to spiral in a far more dramatic direction.