Chapter 223

Evelyn Sinclair couldn't suppress the smirk tugging at her lips as she leaned against the plush velvet chaise in Nathan Blackwood’s penthouse. The afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. But it wasn’t the opulence of the room that held her attention—it was the unfiltered, scandalous thoughts racing through Nathan’s mind.

"She has no idea how badly I want to—"

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her champagne flute, her pulse quickening. Ever since the bizarre incident at the gala—when she’d somehow gained the ability to hear Nathan’s innermost musings—she’d been drowning in a sea of his unspoken desires, frustrations, and, most deliciously, his secrets.

Nathan stood by the bar, his tailored suit hugging his broad shoulders as he poured himself a drink. His expression was the picture of cool indifference, but his thoughts? Oh, they were anything but.

"If she keeps looking at me like that, I’ll cancel every meeting this week."

Evelyn bit her lower lip, feigning interest in her phone while mentally cataloging every sinful implication behind his words. The man was a walking contradiction—outwardly composed, inwardly feral.

Then came the real gem.

"Victoria thinks she’s so clever, blackmailing me with those photos. But she doesn’t know I’ve already—"

Evelyn’s breath hitched. Photos? Blackmail?

Before she could delve deeper into that tantalizing tidbit, Nathan’s voice cut through the silence.

"You’re unusually quiet today," he remarked, his tone deceptively light.

Evelyn arched a brow. "Just enjoying the view."

His gaze darkened, and his next thought slammed into her like a physical touch.

"She’s playing with fire."

Oh, she was. And she had every intention of fanning the flames.

The Blackwood and Reed families had always been close, so they arrived at the wedding as one grand procession. The women entered arm in arm, their elegance turning heads, while the men followed closely behind, exuding quiet authority. The entire family was breathtakingly striking—so much so that the moment they stepped out of their luxury cars, they became the center of attention.

And why wouldn’t they be? Blackwood Enterprises had just closed a groundbreaking deal, one that left competitors seething with envy yet grudgingly impressed.

Rumors had been swirling that the youngest Blackwood heir might soon leave the entertainment industry to study abroad—a strategic move, no doubt. Some speculated it was Nathan Blackwood’s way of consolidating power within the family, ensuring his siblings shared the weight of their empire while carving their own legacies. The Blackwoods were nothing if not ambitious, and their internal dynamics were notoriously complex.

Naturally, many guests saw this as an opportunity to gather intel, hoping to align themselves advantageously for the future.

After exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances, the Blackwoods made their way toward the Reed estate when an unexpected figure caught their attention.

Curious, Genevieve turned to Margaret. "Who is that?"

Margaret, recalling that the younger generation had never met Sophia Reed, replied smoothly, "That’s Claudia Bennett’s discarded daughter."

Sophia occasionally visited her grandparents, and since the Harrisons were on good terms with Margaret’s family, they had crossed paths before.

Still, it was odd to see her here. Neither the Noxes nor the Harrisons had any known ties to the Reed family.

Evelyn followed Margaret’s gaze, her eyes landing on the striking woman.

Wow. A stunner.

The entire Blackwood family discreetly assessed Sophia. She was undeniably beautiful—thankfully, she hadn’t inherited her mother’s sharp, calculating features.

Sophia was the epitome of an ice queen—her face naturally composed, her expressions minimal. Everything about her screamed unattainable, as if she existed on a plane far above mere mortals.

When she turned and spotted Richard and Margaret, she approached with effortless grace, her manners impeccable.

It was only then that everyone noticed the man beside her.

He didn’t quite match her refined aura. Dressed casually, he carried himself with a roguish charm, though his expensive watch and confident stance betrayed his wealth.

As they neared, his gaze swept over the Blackwoods—assessing, calculating. It wasn’t outright rude, but it left an uneasy prickle along the skin.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood," Sophia greeted with a slight nod. "It’s been a while. How have you been?"

Her voice was cool, polished, yet devoid of warmth.

And just like that, the tension in the air thickened.

"Sophia, you're attending Daniel's wedding too?" Margaret greeted with an amused smile, her designer gown shimmering under the chandelier lights.

"I came with Mason," Sophia Reed replied, adjusting the strap of her Valentino clutch. Having recently returned from Paris where her family had relocated their business headquarters, she'd grown distant from domestic social circles. The invitation had come through Mason's connection to the Reed family.

Margaret's eyes twinkled with mischief. "My, how you've grown! When we last met, your grandmother was still lamenting about your single status."

A rare blush crept up Sophia's cheeks, contrasting sharply with her usual cool demeanor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood," Mason Wright interjected smoothly, his arm possessively around Sophia's waist. "I consider myself the luckiest man to have won Sophia's heart just three months ago." His smile revealed perfectly aligned teeth that seemed almost too white.

As Margaret performed introductions, Evelyn Sinclair found herself studying Mason's features with growing unease. There was something... off about his chiseled jawline and symmetrical features.

Nathan Blackwood waited until they were out of earshot before murmuring, "That Mason fellow has more silicone in his face than a Beverly Hills surgeon's office. I'd pay good money to see his original mug."

Genevieve gasped. "Really? How can you tell?"

"Observe the lack of natural expression lines," Julian Blackwood pointed out, swirling his champagne. "That frozen forehead hasn't moved since we arrived. Textbook overdone fillers."

Sophia Blackwood nodded in agreement. "Now that you mention it, his smile doesn't reach his eyes."

Evelyn finally understood her discomfort. "Modern men and their vanity. Nathan's natural features are far more appealing." She absentmindedly traced the strong line of her husband's jaw.

Nathan, who'd been mentally cataloguing where he'd heard Mason's name before, suddenly perked up at the unexpected compliment. Before he could stop himself, he sidled closer to Evelyn like an overeager golden retriever, their arms brushing.

Interpreting the contact as a social cue, Evelyn automatically linked her arm through his. Nathan's entire body went rigid, his breath catching at the unexpected intimacy. The sudden tension in his posture didn't escape the Blackwood family's notice.

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Honestly, brother. You'd think she'd never touched you before." The family's muffled laughter followed them into the grand ballroom, where crystal glasses clinked and an orchestra played.

Unseen by the guests, Mason's surgically enhanced smile slipped as he watched the Blackwoods enter. His grip tightened imperceptibly on Sophia's hand, his eyes darkening with something far removed from wedding joy. Across the room, a waiter with familiar features subtly nodded in Mason's direction, the silent communication lost in the celebration's bustle.

The Blackwood family had grown accustomed to such trivial developments. Unless it involved something as dramatic as an embrace or a kiss, they barely batted an eyelash.

The manor was bustling with guests as they arrived.

This time, not only were elders like Richard and Margaret present, but friends of Sophia, Genevieve, and Julian had also gathered. As soon as they stepped inside, the group dispersed.

Since there was no juicy gossip to catch up on that day, the Blackwoods hadn’t bothered to arrive early. By the time they made their entrance, Nathan’s circle of friends was already there.

Nathan arrived with Evelyn in tow, joining the lively group where they spotted Daniel as well. It was rare to see him dressed so formally—his hair perfectly styled, his tailored suit accentuating his striking features. They seemed to be discussing the upcoming bridal procession.

On Amelia’s side, there were no relatives left, so they had designated the apartment she shared with Daniel as her bridal home. Surrounded by colleagues and classmates, she waited to be fetched.

"Perfect timing, Nathan, Evelyn! Care to join us?" Daniel beamed, his excitement palpable. "Let’s go fetch the bride!"

The others were already laughing and chatting animatedly. Even Beatrice, who usually despised such gatherings, had risen to her feet.

In the past, Nathan would have avoided such boisterous affairs. But this time, he found himself intrigued, eager to experience something new. Still, he glanced at Evelyn for her approval.

Naturally, Evelyn was all in for the fun and nodded enthusiastically.

And so, they set off with the groom to retrieve the bride.

As they rode in the car, Vivian suddenly piped up, curiosity lacing her tone. "Grayson, why didn’t you bring anyone with you today?"

Ah, right—where was Gwendolyn?

"Hmph, that naive girl is throwing a tantrum," Grayson grumbled. All he’d done was watch her overseas performance video in front of Gwendolyn. Was her reaction really necessary? Threatening to cut ties over something so trivial—he assumed she was just playing hard to get.

Seriously? Couldn’t it be that Gwendolyn’s contract had ended and she simply chose not to renew it? She’d made enough money, after all. The sheer joy of quitting a job she despised was something Grayson couldn’t possibly fathom.

Evelyn bit back a laugh as she watched Grayson’s smug arrogance. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he realized Gwendolyn wasn’t coming back.