Chapter 180

The morning sun cast golden streaks across Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse as she stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her fingers tightening around her coffee mug. The city below buzzed with life, but her mind was elsewhere—entirely consumed by the man who had both shattered and rebuilt her world: Nathan Blackwood.

A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

Lillian Graves, her ever-efficient assistant, stepped inside, clutching a tablet. "The press release is ready for your review. The media’s already speculating about your sudden departure from the film set."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Let them speculate." She set her mug down, the porcelain clinking against the marble countertop. "I won’t be bullied into staying where I’m not wanted."

Lillian hesitated. "Nathan’s team has been calling nonstop. They’re insisting on a meeting."

A bitter laugh escaped Evelyn’s lips. "Of course they are." She turned, her emerald eyes flashing. "Tell them I’m not interested in his excuses."

But even as she said the words, her traitorous heart ached. Nathan had been her downfall and her salvation, a paradox she couldn’t escape.

Across town, Nathan Blackwood paced his office like a caged predator, his usual composure fraying at the edges. The headlines blaring from his laptop mocked him: "Evelyn Sinclair Walks Off Set—Is This the End for Hollywood’s Golden Couple?"

His brother, Julian, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "You look like hell."

Nathan raked a hand through his hair. "I need to fix this."

Julian scoffed. "You mean apologize."

Nathan’s jaw clenched. He’d spent years building walls around his heart, only for Evelyn to dismantle them brick by brick. And now, because of his own stubborn pride, he might lose her forever.

His phone buzzed—another message from his publicist. He ignored it.

"Tell Marcus to clear my schedule," Nathan said abruptly. "I’m going to see her."

Julian raised a brow. "And say what?"

Nathan’s gaze hardened with resolve. "The truth."

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit lounge, Victoria Hayes sipped her martini, a smirk playing on her lips. The chaos unfolding between Nathan and Evelyn was exactly what she’d hoped for.

Her phone lit up with a text from an unknown number: "Phase one complete. Proceed as planned."

Victoria’s fingers danced across the screen. "Understood. Let’s see how much more damage we can do."

She leaned back, savoring the taste of victory. If Evelyn thought walking away was the end, she was sorely mistaken.

The game had only just begun.

Daniel Wright was a man of unwavering principles. He had known Nathan Blackwood since their university days, and their bond was the strongest among their circle.

Nathan had always been reserved and distant since childhood, his emotions slow to surface. Daniel constantly worried someone might take advantage of his friend's quiet nature. But Nathan was sharp—no ordinary person could outmaneuver him. Still, Daniel's protective instincts never waned.

Their marriage had drawn criticism from the start. Many believed Nathan was being exploited, especially after the incident at the last gathering. Nathan was usually impeccable in handling social dynamics, rarely needing to apologize for anything. Yet, seeing him lower his head to make amends for Evelyn Sinclair’s mistake left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth.

Back then, whispers circulated—what if Nathan and Cassandra, who had broken up abruptly, reconciled? Some even preferred their former classmate, Victoria Hayes, stepping in.

Though they disapproved of Victoria’s blatant attempts to get closer to Nathan—it felt like trespassing on sacred ground—they hadn’t interfered. Nathan seemed oblivious to her advances. But no one expected Evelyn to swoop in and claim him instead.

In the end, Victoria reaped what she sowed.

Unbelievable.

Yet, acceptance of Evelyn remained elusive.

Nathan was flawless—his character impeccable, his abilities unmatched. Having him as a friend was a point of pride, a privilege their families openly celebrated.

When Nathan was with Cassandra, everything had felt right. Like witnessing a perfect painting come to life. They had rooted for the couple wholeheartedly.

Then Evelyn arrived, and Nathan’s perfection cracked. They couldn’t stand her.

So when Daniel invited Evelyn to join them and even sent a group message about it, confusion rippled through their circle.

Even with Evelyn’s reputation shifting after her variety show appearance, they dismissed it as a facade.

Strange, how none of them had seen Nathan much in the past six months. Between romantic escapades and business trips, they’d missed Evelyn’s transformation entirely.

After listening to his friends vent, Daniel poured a steaming cup of coffee for his girlfriend before—

The room fell into an abrupt hush, all eyes fixed on the speaker.

"First," Daniel Wright began, his voice cutting through the silence, "she's changed—completely. The Evelyn Sinclair standing before us now is nothing like the one we used to know. She’s magnetic, exactly how Mr. Richard and Mrs. Margaret always described her."

Most of the group had never met the Evelyn from Richard and Margaret’s nostalgic stories, but Lucas Thornton and Grayson Hart had.

Lucas arched a brow. "You mean that Evelyn? The one who used to light up every room like a wildfire—playful, unpredictable, impossible to ignore?"

"Her? That harpy?" Mason Hunter’s lip curled in disgust, as if the mere thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Grayson, intrigued, released the arm of his date, Lila Carter. "Seriously? That’s how she used to be? The same woman who once threw a wine glass at me during an argument? Were Richard and Margaret just blinded by parental bias?"

Daniel shrugged. "All I know is, the current Evelyn is… fascinating. And in Vivienne Monroe’s case, it was Evelyn and Julian who stepped in to help."

"Or maybe just Julian," Marcus Prescott mused.

Vivian Grant, looping her arm through Marcus’s, scoffed. "Doubtful. Julian hated Evelyn, didn’t he?" Marcus nodded immediately, conceding her point.

Beatrice Holloway opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated and stayed silent.

Claire Morgan, however, bit her lip. "Maybe… it was my fault? My provocation might’ve triggered her reaction last time."

The group exchanged uneasy glances—none could deny the possibility.

Daniel pressed on. "Second—and this is the real kicker—Nathan Blackwood is smitten with her. And that has me hooked."

Every person in the room—except for Grayson’s and Daniel’s dates, who were out of the loop—knew Nathan well. At Daniel’s words, their expressions twisted in disbelief. What the hell is he talking about?

It wasn’t surprising. Even when Nathan had been with Cassandra, no one had ever accused him of being smitten.

They’d been the perfect power couple—calculated, composed, partners in every strategic sense—but never lovesick. The idea of Nathan Blackwood utterly enchanted by someone was… unimaginable.

Mason exhaled sharply, as if relieved. "Oh, that’s it. Nathan’s problem is that he takes responsibility too seriously. Evelyn’s his wife—of course he’s invested."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the group. That explanation made sense. It was logical.

But Daniel just shook his head. Then, slowly, he began to recount the details—every glance, every unguarded moment—and the room fell silent again.

This wasn’t just duty.

This was something else entirely.

Back then, Nathan Blackwood had unexpectedly sought out Daniel Wright to handle the situation involving Vivienne Monroe.

At the time, Daniel couldn’t help but wonder—was there some hidden connection between Nathan and Vivienne?

Nathan’s answer had been smooth, effortless. "She’s a rising talent from my wife’s agency."

In truth, something this minor could’ve been delegated to one of Daniel’s subordinates. But Nathan’s words had struck him like a lightning bolt. The fact that Nathan had personally intervened for his wife’s sake—even sending Julian Blackwood to accompany her—left Daniel utterly stunned. He’d only been away for what felt like half a year, yet the world had shifted beneath his feet.

Honestly, this was the kind of mess you’d just call the cops for.

And then there was the tangled history between them—a relationship that had twisted and turned like a damn rollercoaster.

When Daniel arrived, Julian had looked just as shocked, clearly not expecting Nathan to go this far.

But that was Nathan for you. Once he set his mind on something, he committed—fully. Not even the smallest inconvenience was allowed to touch his wife.

So, considering all this, Daniel was dying to see what was really going on between those two now.

He genuinely respected Nathan as a friend. And if his friend was serious about something, Daniel would back him—no questions asked. Personal feelings didn’t matter. He’d even extend that courtesy to Nathan’s siblings.

Besides, this was also a chance to remind certain people that disrespecting him was the same as slapping Nathan in the face.

The group listened as Daniel laid it all out.

The realization wasn’t earth-shattering, but for those who’d known Nathan for years, it still felt… surreal.

A heavy silence settled over them—until Claire Morgan suddenly gasped.

Mason Hunter instinctively leaned in, brows furrowing. "What’s wrong?"

Claire bit her lip, hesitating before lifting her phone for everyone to see. "I just got a message… Cassandra’s back in the country. She heard about the gathering and wants to know where we are. She’s coming."

The air turned electric.

Even though Daniel had mentioned Evelyn Sinclair had changed, the mere mention of Cassandra’s name at the last meet-up had sent Evelyn spiraling. Now, the group could only imagine the fireworks if these two women came face-to-face.

Would they tear each other apart? Scratch, scream, pull hair?

The mental image alone was too much.

Mason smirked. "Let her come. It’s a reunion—everyone’s welcome."

Grayson Hart arched a brow, amusement glinting in his eyes. "We’re not trying to start drama. We just want to see who really owns Nathan’s heart."

And with that, the stage was set.

The night was about to get very interesting.

The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to witness the impending showdown.

Daniel Wright's lips twisted into a grimace. This was his doing. He had been the one to invite Evelyn Sinclair. If those two women crossed paths now—especially if Evelyn lost her temper—he'd be the first one caught in the crossfire.

No way was he playing the sacrificial lamb.

His fingers flew across his phone screen, drafting a warning to Nathan Blackwood. He'd lay out the facts—what they chose to do with the information was their business.

A few onlookers noticed his frantic typing and tried to intervene.

"Don't spoil the fun!" someone hissed.

But the thrill-seekers were already salivating at the prospect of drama.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was practically bouncing with excitement, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she strode ahead. When she realized Nathan was lagging behind, she spun around, impatience flashing in her eyes.

"Pick up the pace, will you? We're going to miss everything!"

Nathan's brow furrowed, his mind still stuck on her earlier words. Who exactly was she talking about?