Chapter 182

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the penthouse as Evelyn Sinclair stirred awake. Beside her, Nathan Blackwood was already dressed, his dark eyes scanning a document with that familiar intensity.

"You're up early," she murmured, stretching beneath the silk sheets.

Nathan glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Some of us have empires to run, darling."

Evelyn rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. Even after all this time, his arrogance still amused her.

Her phone buzzed—Victoria Hayes had sent another email. The woman was relentless, always lurking in the shadows with her schemes. Evelyn sighed, tossing the device aside.

"Problem?" Nathan arched a brow.

"Just Victoria being Victoria." She shrugged. "I swear, if she weren’t so good at her job, I’d have fired her years ago."

Nathan chuckled, buttoning his cufflinks. "You’d miss the challenge."

Before she could retort, the doorbell rang. Serena Whitmore, Evelyn’s ever-efficient agent, strode in with a stack of contracts.

"Morning, lovebirds," she quipped, dropping the papers onto the coffee table. "Evelyn, we need to discuss the Montgomery project. Harrison’s team is pushing for changes."

Evelyn groaned. "Of course they are."

Nathan leaned against the doorway, watching them with amusement. "Need backup?"

She shot him a look. "I can handle Harrison Montgomery."

His smirk deepened. "I’d pay to see that."

Serena cleared her throat. "Focus, children. We have a meeting in an hour."

Evelyn exhaled sharply, flipping through the contracts. The terms were ridiculous—Harrison wanted creative control, something she’d never relinquish.

"Tell them no," she said firmly. "If Harrison wants this deal, he plays by my rules."

Serena nodded, already typing a response. "I’ll make it clear."

Nathan’s phone buzzed—a message from Marcus Donovan, Julian’s agent. His expression darkened.

"Trouble?" Evelyn asked.

"Julian’s latest stunt made headlines again," he muttered. "The press is having a field day."

Evelyn squeezed his arm. "He’ll grow out of it."

Nathan scoffed. "He’s thirty, Evelyn. When exactly does that happen?"

Before she could answer, her phone rang—Lillian Graves, her assistant, sounding frantic.

"Evelyn, you need to see this. Now."

A link popped up on her screen. The tabloids had gotten hold of an old photo—Nathan and Cassandra, his first love, at a charity gala years ago. The caption was brutal: Blackwood’s Heart Still Belongs to Another?

Evelyn’s stomach twisted, but she forced a laugh. "Oh, please. They’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel now."

Nathan frowned, reading over her shoulder. "I’ll have legal handle this."

She waved him off. "Don’t bother. The world loves drama. Let them have their fun."

But beneath her calm exterior, doubt crept in. Cassandra had always been the one who got away. Did Nathan still think about her?

Serena’s phone chimed. "Evelyn, we need to leave. Now."

Nathan caught Evelyn’s wrist as she turned to go. "Hey." His voice was low, intense. "You know there’s no one else."

She searched his eyes, finding only sincerity. "I know."

But as she walked away, the seed of insecurity lingered.

And Victoria Hayes? She was already plotting her next move.

The moment Daniel stepped outside to shake off the crowd, he immediately texted Nathan about Cassandra's unexpected appearance at the gathering. But to his dismay, the couple had already arrived, forcing him into an awkward greeting.

"Oh, you're here already."

Nathan gave a curt nod while Evelyn flashed a warm smile. "Hello."

Her eyes immediately swept over Daniel with undisguised curiosity.

Wow. He actually brought his girlfriend—who's pregnant out of wedlock! Wait… they haven’t announced it yet? She smirked inwardly. Makes sense. Probably an unplanned pregnancy, and he only found out after returning from that business trip. They’ll probably announce it soon and rush into wedding plans.

Nathan’s gaze darkened as he studied Daniel. He knew the man had been desperate to marry his long-term girlfriend, but she kept putting it off. Now, fate had handed them a double surprise.

Unfazed by their scrutiny, Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "Uh… Nathan, can we talk for a second? Evelyn, mind waiting here?"

Nathan frowned. What’s this about?

Evelyn arched a brow. Seriously? Is he really asking Nathan to accompany him to the bathroom like some scared kid?

Nathan stiffened, speechless. What ridiculous thought just crossed her mind?

Then it hit her. Oh! Maybe the people inside don’t want me there, and he’s warning Nathan beforehand.

Nathan’s expression shifted slightly. That was a possibility—given how disastrous their last encounter had been.

"Just say it," he ordered coldly.

Whatever it was, he had no intention of hiding anything from Evelyn.

Daniel paled. How am I supposed to say this? The last person who tried got a drink thrown in her face by Evelyn.

Forcing a smile, he subtly nudged Nathan, lying through his teeth. "It’s nothing serious… just… could you come with me to the restroom?"

Nathan blinked.

Pfft. Hah! I was joking, but he actually stole my idea. And why does he look so guilty?

Evelyn barely suppressed a laugh. This is too good.

Evelyn's lashes fluttered as she nudged Nathan forward. "You two go ahead. I'll wait right here."

Relief washed over Daniel. She's really changed. So considerate now.

Nathan had no choice but to turn silently and follow Daniel toward the restroom.

Please don’t actually make me go in there with him…

They hadn’t walked far when Daniel leaned in, his voice hushed and nervous. "Listen, I need to warn you—"

Oh god.

A sharp inhale echoed in Nathan’s ear.

Two voices spoke at the same time.

"—your ex, Cassandra, is coming tonight."

His first love is back in the country. And she’s on her way here.

Nathan froze, eyes widening as he glanced at Evelyn from the corner of his vision.

Her pupils trembled slightly, lips parting as if processing the bombshell.

"I’m not worried about you," Daniel muttered. "But her. I don’t think they should meet. While she’s still clueless, you should handle this."

Nathan shot him a dry look. She already knows. Probably better than any of us.

How did I forget? The email even listed her return time. I was too busy with gossip…

Evelyn’s mental voice dripped with frustration.

Nathan’s lips twitched. Finally panicking, huh?

Her thoughts spiraled. I almost missed this golden opportunity! That contract today was a steal. After the divorce, I’ll walk away with two hundred million, Nathan’s investments, and my own agency. Financial freedom—here I come!

Nathan’s expression darkened instantly.

But Evelyn wasn’t done. Ugh, no warning before my windfall? I’m not even dressed for the occasion!

He sucked in a sharp breath.

Then her tone shifted. Wait—no. I should look heartbroken. When he dumps me for Cassandra, the whole family will pity me. I’ve been on my best behavior lately—he might even give me extra out of guilt. Hehe… Time to act my heart out when she arrives.

Act? Nathan’s jaw tightened. Let’s see how convincing you are.

Nathan had initially planned to let Evelyn decide whether to attend the reunion, knowing how much her past self despised Cassandra.

But now, their presence was non-negotiable.

He was determined to show her—right here, right now—that he wouldn’t discard her for some irrelevant woman from his past.

A divorce? Over my dead body.

Ignoring Daniel’s rambling, Nathan strode toward Evelyn.

When Daniel saw Nathan’s expression turn icy, he assumed the man was uncomfortable and might leave with Evelyn to avoid the awkwardness.

To his shock, Nathan wrapped an arm around Evelyn’s waist and guided her forward before she could react.

Even more surprising—they were heading straight into the ballroom.

Daniel blinked. What the hell?

From what he knew, Nathan had zero lingering feelings for Cassandra. When they broke up, Nathan hadn’t even batted an eye. Daniel had often wondered if Nathan had ever truly cared for her.

But now?

Nathan was angry.

Evelyn had just been standing there quietly. So he couldn’t be mad at her.

Was he upset with Cassandra? That made no sense.

Daniel rubbed his temples, utterly baffled, and trailed after them like a lost puppy.

Evelyn had been lost in her daydreams—visions of a bright, unshackled future. For a brief moment, the weight of reality had pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe, but the fantasy quickly swept her back under its glittering tide.

Then, suddenly, she was pulled against a solid chest.

Well, not quite an embrace—more like a firm, guiding hand at the small of her back, propelling her forward with enough force to make her stumble.

"Let’s go." Nathan’s voice was clipped, his gaze fixed ahead.

But Evelyn felt it—the simmering irritation beneath his cool exterior.

Ah. Here it comes.

Nathan ignored her mental commentary. Nothing she thought right now would please him anyway.

Oh, look at him—all worked up because his first love is coming. Can’t even wait for her to arrive before dragging me along like some prop. What’s next? A dramatic declaration of undying love right in front of me?

A vein throbbed violently at Nathan’s temple.

Evelyn’s thoughts grated on. But sweet ex-husband, your precious Cassandra isn’t even here yet. You’re jumping the gun!

Nathan's fury burned so intensely he could taste copper on his tongue. Yet he had no choice but to clench his jaw and endure it.

After their bitter breakup, his first love Eleanor had vanished abroad without a trace. Years later, she was finally returning—a reunion destined to be equal parts agony and ecstasy. Old wounds would reopen, misunderstandings would unravel, and sparks would inevitably reignite! By all accounts, Evelyn should be playing the villainous wife to catalyze their reunion, but risking her alimony for this? Absolutely not.

As Evelyn's thoughts spiraled, Nathan felt as though his soul had been wrenched from his body. His arm around her waist tightened possessively. From Daniel's perspective, Nathan had practically engulfed Evelyn in an embrace so intimate it bordered on scandalous.

Daniel's eyes widened to saucers.

Evelyn herself was too distracted to notice. Her mind raced at breakneck speed, conjuring increasingly dramatic scenarios. Would her soon-to-be ex-husband lose his infamous composure the moment he laid eyes on Eleanor? Would he—

"Ow!" She yelped as Nathan pinched her cheek sharply.

The attendant swung the ballroom doors open just as they arrived.

Every head in the room swiveled toward them.

The sight that greeted the guests was nothing short of astonishing: Nathan Blackwood, the ice-cold tycoon known for his impenetrable demeanor, stood framed in the doorway with one arm locked around Evelyn's waist and the other teasingly pinching her flushed cheek. Their bodies were pressed so close they might as well have been glued together, their playful intimacy radiating like a spotlight.

The crowd froze. Never in living memory had anyone witnessed Nathan display such boyish affection—let alone in public.

This was unprecedented.