Chapter 231

The venue shimmered with brilliant lights. Ethan Sullivan's palm was warm and dry against her skin.

He felt the faint tremor in Evelyn Laurent's fingertips and instinctively tightened his grip.

"Don't be nervous." His deep voice carried a soothing weight.

The massive doors sealed shut behind them with a whisper.

When the blindfold slipped away, Evelyn gasped at the breathtaking sight before her.

The space stretched wider than a football field. Compound bows stood in military precision along the left wall, while an arsenal of replica firearms lined the right. Shooting ranges divided the area with surgical precision—stationary targets blending into moving ones.

Ethan withdrew a document from his suit's inner pocket.

"Happy birthday." The corners of his mouth lifted as he offered her a fountain pen.

Evelyn's pupils dilated when she recognized the contents.

A property transfer agreement.

"This..." Her voice wavered.

His gaze burned into her. "I started planning this after seeing how much you enjoyed yourself last time."

Her fingers absently traced the paper's edge.

Fifteen days.

She couldn't fathom how such a facility materialized in half a month.

"How much?" She jerked her head up.

"Five hundred million." His expression remained unreadable.

The air turned viscous.

Evelyn snapped the folder shut. "It's too extravagant."

Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously.

"Evelyn." His voice held a razor's edge. "Are you rejecting my gift?"

She swallowed hard under the storm brewing in his gaze.

"I just—"

"Just what?" He stepped forward, caging her between the equipment rack and his body. "Don't take me seriously?"

His breath fanned across her face, laced with inexorable dominance.