Chapter 512: Chapter 512
Nolan’s brow furrowed deeper as he took in Kiara’s unusually pale complexion, his gaze growing increasingly icy.
"If something like that really happened, you’d bear significant responsibility too," Kiara said, her voice trembling as she averted her eyes from his piercing stare.
"Grandmother and Mother... they won’t let you off easily."
When persuasion failed, threats it was, then. Was she actually daring to threaten him?
Nolan’s expression turned glacial, as if frost had settled over his features.
Kiara tensed involuntarily, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.
If she’d had any other choice, she wouldn’t have resorted to this.
But then, in the next moment, the ice in Nolan’s demeanor began to thaw.
His eyes softened gradually.
If that’s the case, I won’t leave."
Seeing his expression and tone ease, Kiara finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck, her crimson lips trailing upward from the sharp line of his Adam’s apple.
And then—nothing more. Nolan didn’t evade this time.
His hand, which had been resting behind Kiara’s back, suddenly struck the nape of her neck with brutal force.
Kiara’s movements froze mid-action.
Then her body went limp as she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Nolan felt his grip loosen, letting Kiara’s body slump unceremoniously to the floor.
Gritting his teeth against the feverish heat coursing through him, he staggered toward the private room’s bathroom, his expression dark as a thundercloud.
Just then—a sharp knock rapped at the door.
No response came from behind the door.
The young man with the broken eyebrow frowned and knocked again, his knuckles rapping sharply against the wood.
Just as he was about to force his way in, the door swung open from the inside.
Nolan’s eyes were darker than usual, his expression unusually grim.
Though just two words, his voice was hoarse, strained.
The broken-browed man didn’t dare delay.
The butler followed Nolan inside immediately, closing the door behind him.
His gaze flicked to Princess Kiara lying unconscious on the floor, but his expression remained indifferent, as if he had expected it.
Nolan slumped onto the sofa, taking several deep breaths to suppress the turmoil inside him.
When he spoke again, his voice was even rougher, weighed down with tension.
The young man reached into the small black bag in his hand, pulling out a prepared syringe.
The assistant filled it with the solution before handing it over to Nolan.
Nolan took the syringe without hesitation and injected the serum slowly into his own arm.
Only after the last drop had entered his veins did he speak again.
"Any leads on the former Crown Prince?"
The young man with the scarred brow tensed, then shook his head.
"The team we sent to San Francisco hasn’t reported back yet."
"The Queen’s health is deteriorating.
We can’t afford to waste time."
A cold numbness spread through Nolan’s arm, and only then did his expression soften slightly.
"There is this saying—’The greatest concealment lies in plain sight."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, his voice icy and detached.
"Perhaps the person we’re looking for isn’t hiding among commoners at all.
Maybe they’re standing right under the brightest spotlight."
The scarred-brow youth frowned, uncomprehending.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Dig deeper into the madam of the Luther Family," Nolan said, his breathing now steady and controlled.
"And remember—time is of the essence."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And make sure the Luther Family doesn’t catch wind of this."
A man like Sinclair was better kept as an ally than turned into an enemy.
The young man with the broken eyebrow nodded, then shifted his gaze to Princess Kiara lying on the floor.
"Mr. Nolan, what about Princess Kiara?"
"Take her back to the palace," Nolan replied, lounging in his chair as he looked down at the unconscious princess, his voice icy.
"And have our informant find a way to notify queen Luna."
Let her see what kind of daughter she had raised. "Yes, sir. I’ll handle it immediately."
The young man with the broken eyebrow nodded, then bent down to scoop up Princess Kiara, preparing to carry her out.
Nolan’s low voice cut through the air, and the young man instantly froze mid-step, awaiting further orders.
Nolan remained silent as he rose from his seat and approached the young man with the scarred eyebrow.
Taking the black toolkit, he pulled out a pair of disposable gloves and a sealed evidence bag.
Without hesitation, he strode over to Kiara, plucked several strands of her chestnut-brown hair, and carefully placed them inside the bag.
"Keep this safe," he said, his voice low and measured as he returned the sealed bag to his assistant.
His dark, inscrutable gaze lingered on her face.
"Let’s hope we’ll need it soon."
Count Easton, having left the charity gala, sank into the plush seat of his car and rubbed his temples wearily.
"So Kiara left with that Nolan?"
"Yes," the butler confirmed with a respectful nod.
"Her Ladyship took Mr. Nolan out for dinner."
The Count shook his head in amused resignation.
"Once she gets her claws into someone, she never lets go.
What on earth does that Nolan fellow have that’s so irresistible?"
The butler chuckled in agreement.
"Given that President Nolan is such a promising young talent and the princess’s fiancé, it’s only natural she keeps a close eye on him."
"Promising young talent?"
Earl Aiston narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of skepticism in his gaze.
"If you ask me, that Sinclair is the real standout—the true cream of the crop among men," he mused, then let out a sigh.
"Pity, though... he’s already married..."
The moment he mentioned Camilla, Aiston suddenly froze.
His slightly drunken eyes widened in realization.
The butler was startled by Easton’s sudden reaction.
"W-what did you say?"
"I just realized who that woman resembles," Easton murmured, his eyes widening slightly, his tone laced with something unreadable.
Though their eye colors differed and their auras were worlds apart, the shape of her brows and eyes bore at least a passing resemblance to Kiara’s.
Even he had to admit it.
That said, the woman’s overall beauty far surpassed Kiara’s.
Perhaps that was why he hadn’t made the connection immediately.
How could a woman from San Francisco possibly resemble Princess Kiara?
The butler frowned, mentally comparing the two.
After a moment, understanding flickered in his gaze.
Now that he thought about it... the resemblance was there.
The butler glanced cautiously at Easton before speaking in a measured tone.
"It does seem a bit uncanny.
Could it just be a coincidence?"