Chapter 191

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse. She stood by the window, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup absently. The city below was just waking up, but her mind was already racing with the day's agenda.

Her phone buzzed violently against the marble countertop. The caller ID flashed "Nathan Blackwood" - a name that never failed to make her pulse quicken. She hesitated for exactly three seconds before answering.

"Evelyn." His deep voice resonated through the line, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. "We need to talk."

"About?" She kept her tone deliberately light, though her grip on the phone tightened.

"The merger. My board is getting restless." There was an edge to his voice she hadn't heard before. "They want guarantees."

Evelyn's lips curved into a humorless smile. "Your board? Or Victoria Hayes?"

A beat of silence. Then Nathan's voice dropped lower, more intimate. "Meet me at the Blackwood Tower in an hour. We'll settle this properly."

Before she could respond, the line went dead. Evelyn stared at her reflection in the window - the carefully constructed mask of composure barely hiding the storm beneath. Victoria Hayes, Nathan's scheming secretary, had been undermining her at every turn. And now it seemed her poison was spreading.

The intercom buzzed. "Ms. Sinclair? Lillian is here with your schedule."

Evelyn squared her shoulders. "Send her in."

Lillian Graves entered with her usual efficiency, tablet in hand. "Morning briefing is at nine with Preston Whitmore. The investors' lunch was moved to-"

"Cancel everything before noon." Evelyn grabbed her blazer from the back of the chair. "I'm going to Blackwood Tower."

Lillian's eyebrows shot up but she made no comment, simply tapping adjustments into her tablet. "Shall I call your driver?"

"No." Evelyn's smile was razor-sharp. "I'll take my car. This requires a dramatic entrance."

As she strode toward the private elevator, Evelyn's mind raced through possible scenarios. Nathan's sudden urgency meant something had shifted. The merger between Sinclair Media and Blackwood Enterprises was supposed to be straightforward - a perfect match of her creative vision and his business empire. But Victoria had been planting doubts, whispering about Evelyn's "unpredictable temperament" to anyone who would listen.

The elevator doors slid open to reveal the underground garage. Evelyn's cherry-red Aston Martin gleamed under the fluorescent lights - a gift from Nathan on their one-year anniversary. The memory of his hands sliding over the hood as he presented it to her flashed unbidden, making her breath catch.

She shook her head sharply. Business first. Emotions later.

The drive to Blackwood Tower took twenty minutes through morning traffic. Evelyn used the time to compose herself, rehearsing arguments in her head. But nothing could have prepared her for what awaited in Nathan's office.

As the elevator doors opened directly into his private suite, Evelyn froze. Nathan stood by the window, his usual commanding presence somehow more intense. But it was the woman seated across from him that made Evelyn's blood run cold.

Victoria Hayes turned with a feline smile. "Evelyn. How... punctual."

Nathan's expression was unreadable as he gestured to the empty chair. "We were just discussing the merger terms."

Evelyn forced her legs to move forward, her heels clicking ominously on the polished concrete. "How... cozy." She took the offered seat without breaking eye contact with Victoria. "Shall we get to the point?"

Nathan leaned against his desk, his crisp white shirt straining slightly over his broad shoulders. "Victoria has raised some... interesting concerns about the merger structure."

"Has she?" Evelyn kept her voice light, though her nails were digging into her palms. "Do enlighten me."

Victoria's smile didn't reach her cold blue eyes. "Your last quarterly reports showed significant losses in the European division. My team has concerns about absorbing that debt."

Evelyn's laugh was sharp as broken glass. "My European division is undergoing strategic restructuring. The 'losses' are planned investments." She turned to Nathan. "Surely you explained this?"

Nathan's gaze flickered between them. "I did. But Victoria makes a valid point about risk assessment."

The betrayal stung more than Evelyn cared to admit. She stood abruptly, smoothing her skirt with deliberate calm. "If you're having second thoughts, Nathan, perhaps we should postpone the merger entirely."

Victoria's triumphant smirk was barely concealed as she stood as well. "A wise suggestion. These things shouldn't be rushed."

Nathan's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Victoria. Leave us."

The secretary's face fell. "But-"

"Now."

With one last poisonous glance at Evelyn, Victoria swept from the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Nathan crossed the space between them in three strides.

"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured, his breath warm against her temple.

Evelyn refused to back down. "Am I? Or is your secretary overstepping her bounds?"

Nathan's hand came up to cradle her jaw, his thumb brushing her lower lip. "You know where my loyalties lie."

"Do I?" Evelyn pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're letting her sabotage everything we've built."

Nathan's expression darkened. He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a thick document. "This is the revised merger agreement. My lawyers worked on it all night." He flipped to a highlighted section. "See clause 17-B."

Evelyn scanned the text, her breath catching. "This... this gives me controlling interest in the combined entity."

"Fifty-one percent." Nathan's voice was rough. "No board, no Victoria, no one can ever come between us again."

Evelyn's hands trembled as she set the papers down. "Why would you do this?"

Nathan cupped her face, his eyes burning with intensity. "Because I'd give you everything, Evelyn. My company, my name, my heart. If you'll have them."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Evelyn opened her mouth to respond, but the office door burst open before she could speak.

Victoria stood framed in the doorway, her face pale. "Nathan, you can't possibly-"

"Get out!" Nathan roared, his voice shaking the glass walls.

But Victoria didn't move. Instead, her lips curled into a vicious smile. "I think you'll want to hear this first." She held up her phone. "The press just got wind of Evelyn's little... indiscretion with Sebastian Hart last summer."

Evelyn's blood turned to ice. "That was before Nathan and I-"

"Photos don't care about timelines," Victoria purred. "And these are quite... compromising."

Nathan's grip on Evelyn's waist tightened almost painfully. "What is she talking about?"

Evelyn met his gaze squarely, her voice steady despite the storm inside. "It was one dinner. Nothing happened."

Victoria's laugh was like nails on a chalkboard. "Tell that to Page Six. The headline writes itself: 'Media Heiress's Secret Affair with Married Actor.'"

The room spun. Evelyn could see the calculations flashing behind Nathan's eyes - the scandal, the shareholders, the carefully constructed image. She braced for the withdrawal, the coldness that would follow.

Instead, Nathan's mouth crashed down on hers in a kiss that burned away all doubt. When he finally pulled back, his eyes blazed with possession.

"Release a statement," he told Victoria without looking away from Evelyn. "Confirm that Evelyn and I have been in a committed relationship for over a year. That Sebastian Hart was never more than a business associate." His thumb traced Evelyn's swollen lips. "And that any suggestion otherwise will be met with immediate legal action."

Victoria's mouth opened and closed like a fish. "But the board-"

"Will fall in line." Nathan's voice left no room for argument. "Now get out."

As the door slammed shut behind Victoria, Evelyn found herself pressed against the desk, Nathan's body caging her in. "You're sure about this?" she whispered.

Nathan's smile was feral. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life." He nipped at her lower lip. "But you owe me an explanation about Sebastian Hart."

Evelyn tangled her fingers in his hair. "Later." She pulled him down for another kiss. "We have a merger to finalize."

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city stretched endlessly below them. But in that moment, the only empire that mattered was the one they were building together.

Evelyn's sigh made Nathan tense up.

That's odd. Really odd! The thought flashed through Evelyn's mind, startling Nathan.

What's strange? Is it really that unusual that I don't have feelings for Cassandra? Or is it my current emotions toward Evelyn that are strange? Nathan's restless heart sank slightly.

He had always been slow when it came to matters of the heart. Often, he couldn't even tell if people around him liked him. Only when faced with Cassandra's—and the past Evelyn's—persistent advances had he recognized their affection.

And it was only recently that he realized he was slow to acknowledge his own feelings too.

His brief college romance had been fleeting, and he'd never truly cared for Cassandra. Back then, he hadn't understood—nor had he bothered to—simply drifting along. But someone had changed that.

Evelyn had slipped into his thoughts in the most peculiar way, making him think of her without meaning to. His emotions had become unpredictable because of her—anger, happiness, worry, disappointment—all foreign to his usually indifferent nature. Since that fateful day, he'd been on an emotional rollercoaster.

He hated losing control, yet he couldn't resist the pull. Even if he wasn't the most perceptive in these matters, a little rational thought was enough to reach the obvious conclusion: he had fallen for Evelyn.

But how deep those feelings ran, he couldn't say—nor did he feel the need to. After all, she was the only one who stirred these emotions in him. And legally, she was his wife. Of course, he had ulterior motives. Before, he'd resisted divorce out of duty and respect for marriage. Now? He simply didn’t want to let her go.

Nathan, always composed, methodical, and logical, found his thoughts tangled once again—because of Evelyn.

Like a lovestruck teenager, he was naive and bewildered.

If first love was defined by genuine, heartfelt affection, then Evelyn was his true first love in every sense.

As his thoughts spiraled, a sudden wave of nervousness hit him. He remembered what Evelyn had once said—"Affection returned too late is worthless." Was she calling him strange because she'd sensed his past indifference when she read his mind?

But there was nothing he could do about it. Their past relationship had been built on obligation. If not for Evelyn’s unchanged appearance, he might have doubted whether the past and present Evelyn were even the same person. Right now, all he wanted was to be with the Evelyn of today.

Just as Nathan lost himself in memories, a sudden flash of a little girl's face stunned him. She beamed at him, asking, "Nate, why are you so quiet? Can't you speak? If that's the case, let me talk more. You'll learn if you listen. Want to hear some juicy gossip about my family?"

"Nathan, you're absolutely gorgeous. One day, I'll make enough money to spoil you rotten!"

"Nathan, you're too thin! Eat more—I adore those sculpted abs!"

"Hah! Your first kiss belongs to me, Nathan!"

Nathan Blackwood froze. Were these memories of Evelyn Sinclair as a child?

Given the close ties between their families, frequent visits had been arranged despite living in different cities. It wasn’t unusual for them to have met as children. However, back then, Nathan rarely stayed at the Blackwood estate, unlike now. His recollections of his siblings were sparse, let alone whether he and Evelyn had ever played together.

His memories were hazy. Suddenly, his thoughts were cut off by Evelyn’s internal argument with the system.

WYSICUL

Evelyn’s mental voice shrieked, Why is there a mosaic here?! I used to see everything—even the fact that he’s still a virgin! Why is it all censored now?!

Nathan nearly choked but brushed it off.

The result he’d been waiting for hadn’t arrived. He was stunned. What’s happening? Why the mosaic?

Evelyn’s thoughts raged on. System, you must be malfunctioning. Can’t you dig up any gossip besides predicting the future? I demand an upgrade! A repair! You’re not broken? Then… Huh? No access to gossip about direct relevant figures?

Nathan was baffled.

What does that mean? Someone who’ll directly impact my life? But how? Is it because we’re not divorced? Is he my primary responsibility figure? That can’t be—we weren’t divorced before either! Evelyn mentally ranted.

Though not obsessed with prying into private lives, Evelyn couldn’t comprehend this sudden restriction. Previously, information had been blocked only if it could drastically alter the world. Yet now, Nathan’s details were specifically barred.

No matter how much she argued with the system, it was useless. She couldn’t uncover a thing.

Nathan mused, Perhaps the system recognizes my feelings for her. To ensure our relationship progresses naturally, it’s preventing her from reading my thoughts.

He was wildly speculating—the system was an unpredictable force.

Another oddity struck him. Evelyn never seems to realize we can hear her thoughts. Is that also because it would affect her life? Hmm… Maybe I shouldn’t tell her about this.

Truthfully, Nathan wanted to know Evelyn on equal footing. He had no intention of keeping this mind-reading ability.

But for now, all he could do was watch silently. Even as frustration simmered within him, he remained still.

Nathan Blackwood was utterly frustrated—his innocence remained unproven.

It doesn't matter if she can't see my information. Nathan gazed at Evelyn Sinclair, his lips curving into a tender smile.

With every moment of introspection, every attempt to decipher his own emotions, he became more certain of one thing: Evelyn was extraordinary to him.

He wanted to prove—no, needed to prove—that he was sincere about continuing this journey with her. His only hope? That when he confessed his feelings again, she wouldn’t see him as someone who hid the truth.

While Nathan was lost in thought, Evelyn was spiraling in her own chaotic world.

Meanwhile, the crowd around them was on the verge of losing their minds.

Because Nathan wasn’t just dabbing the corner of Evelyn’s lips—his thumb lingered, brushing against the soft pink of her mouth.

To everyone watching, it was an unmistakable act of intimacy.

Vivian Grant and Marcus Prescott recognized the gesture immediately—they were that kind of couple. Marcus often traced Vivian’s lips just like that, tender and possessive.

The others remembered them too—the shamelessly affectionate pair—and now they were gaping, torn between disbelief and secondhand embarrassment.

Was Nathan serious? Or was this deliberate?

Earlier, they had pitied Evelyn. Now, they couldn’t bear the scene unfolding before them, their gazes flickering toward Cassandra instead.

Because this? This didn’t look accidental at all.

Cassandra paled.

She was the only one who knew the truth.

Back when their relationship had been paraded as perfect to the world, Nathan had never touched her like this.

Her composure shattered. For the first time, she felt truly shaken.

"Nathan!" Lillian Graves exploded.

Both Evelyn and Nathan jolted.

Evelyn had been too distracted by the system glitch to notice Nathan’s thumb still resting against her lips. The shout startled her, snapping her attention back to reality.

Nathan, meanwhile, froze the moment he realized what he’d done. His fingertips burned, his mind blanking for a split second.

I must have… remembered that time Evelyn claimed she stole my first kiss as a child.

Childhood kisses meant nothing—he’d even forgotten about it until now. But the memory had resurfaced, vivid and insistent, making him crave the ghost of that fleeting touch.

Yet he couldn’t recall the details.

Discomfort coiled in his chest.

And when he finally regained his senses, he didn’t immediately turn to Lillian.

The moment Evelyn noticed Nathan's lingering gaze still fixed on Cassandra, her blood boiled with barely contained fury.

With forced politeness, Nathan finally turned to Lily. "Yes?" His expression remained frustratingly blank, as if completely unaware of the tension crackling in the air.

Lily drew in a sharp, audible breath, her manicured nails digging into her palms as she glared daggers at the oblivious couple. "Everyone here is worried sick about Cassandra," she spat through clenched teeth. "Yet you stand there without a care in the world? Have you no heart at all?"

Her voice trembled with barely restrained anger. "Even if you're still holding onto old grudges, now that you know the truth, you must understand Cassandra had no other choice!" Lily's accusatory finger jabbed toward Nathan. "Don't you have anything to say to her?"

"Please, Lily, stop!" Cassandra reached out weakly, her delicate fingers grasping Lily's sleeve in a theatrical display of restraint. Her doe eyes flickered nervously toward Evelyn, feigning concern about causing discord between the couple. The performance was almost Oscar-worthy.

But Lily wasn't having any of it. "I demand an answer, Nathan!" she snapped, shaking off Cassandra's feeble grip.

Seeing her act wasn't working, Cassandra's eyes welled up with crocodile tears as she turned her pleading gaze toward Nathan. The entire table shifted uncomfortably, several guests shooting disapproving looks at the seemingly heartless Nathan.

After a long, deliberate pause, Nathan finally spoke with infuriating calmness. "Well... I hope you recover soon."