Chapter 225

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the penthouse as Evelyn Sinclair stirred awake, her body still humming from the intensity of last night. Nathan Blackwood’s arm was draped possessively over her waist, his breathing deep and even. She carefully slipped out from under his hold, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet as she padded toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The city below was just waking up, but Evelyn’s mind was already racing. The gala had been a success—her new film project had garnered attention, and whispers of her undeniable chemistry with Nathan had spread like wildfire. But beneath the glittering surface, tension simmered.

Victoria Hayes had been watching them all night with a gaze sharp enough to cut glass.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the silk robe she’d thrown on. Victoria wasn’t just Nathan’s secretary—she was a viper waiting to strike. And after last night’s whispered threats, Evelyn knew the woman wouldn’t hesitate to sink her fangs in.

A rustle of sheets drew her attention. Nathan was awake now, his dark eyes tracking her every move. “You’re up early,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

“Couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, turning to face him. The morning light caught the angles of his face, highlighting the faint scar along his jaw—a remnant of a past he rarely spoke about.

He sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist. “Thinking about Victoria?”

Evelyn arched a brow. “Am I that transparent?”

Nathan smirked, but there was no humor in it. “She’s been with me for years. She knows how to play the game.”

“And what game is that?” Evelyn challenged, stepping closer.

His expression darkened. “Power. Control. She thinks she can manipulate me.” His hand shot out, catching her wrist and pulling her onto the bed. “But she doesn’t know you.”

Evelyn’s pulse spiked as his lips brushed her ear. “And what do I do?”

Nathan’s grip tightened. “You fight back.”

A knock at the door shattered the moment.

“Mr. Blackwood,” Victoria’s crisp voice called through the wood. “Your nine o’clock is here.”

Nathan’s jaw clenched, but he released Evelyn with a reluctant sigh. “Duty calls.”

Evelyn watched him dress with practiced efficiency, her mind already plotting. If Victoria wanted a war, she’d get one.

Because Evelyn Sinclair didn’t just fight back—she won.

The members of the Blackwood family, scattered across the lavish venue, abruptly halted their conversations mid-sentence.

What had they just overheard?

Though they stood at a distance, catching only fragments of the heated exchange—what in the world had just been revealed?

Sophia Reed's boyfriend—the man they had just seen—was actually Victor Reed's illegitimate son?

Richard and Margaret happened to be facing Serena Collins at that very moment.

With a practiced laugh, Serena engaged Margaret in light conversation, her expression the picture of oblivious innocence—a performance so convincing it bordered on pitiable. After all, in the polished circles of high society, both Richard and Victor had always been regarded as honorable men, the kind who didn’t dally with mistresses or sire secret children.

Yet here was the truth: Victor’s illegitimate son was nearly the same age as Daniel Wright. The revelation was nothing short of earth-shattering.

Sophia Blackwood and Genevieve happened to catch sight of Genevieve guiding the newlywed bride down the grand staircase, her face radiant with joy, as if she hadn’t a single worry in the world.

Meanwhile, Julian Blackwood stood outside and spotted Mason Wright strolling back leisurely, his demeanor relaxed.

No wonder he looks so different. Did he get reconstructive surgery after Daniel disfigured him?

But Daniel didn’t even know this man was his father’s secret son—so why would he attack him?

Besides, knowing Daniel’s temperament, he would never act so impulsively, even if he did discover the truth. After all, the illegitimate child wasn’t to blame for his own existence. Daniel had always been surprisingly compassionate in such matters.

Then, without warning, Evelyn Sinclair’s piercing scream tore through the air, sharp and unmistakable.

Every Blackwood in attendance tensed.

What now?

What secret could possibly be more shocking than an illegitimate child—enough to make her scream like that?

Evelyn: "It can’t be. This is absolutely impossible!"

The Blackwoods: "What? What exactly is impossible!?"

Evelyn: "Daniel’s wife is pregnant… with Mason’s child!"

The Blackwoods stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

Wait a minute.

What did she just say?

Whose wife—and whose child?!

Standing beside Evelyn, Nathan was equally stunned, his gaze lingering on her with undisguised shock.

The woman was too absorbed in the scandalous revelation to notice his reaction.

Evelyn: It was Mason who bullied Amelia in high school, and Daniel saved her! So how could Amelia possibly...

The Blackwoods: Was she threatened? Coerced? Poor girl. That must have been hell.

Nathan: That doesn’t make sense. Daniel’s status far surpassed Mason’s. Amelia could’ve crushed him if she’d spoken up. Daniel had all the power to end it.

Evelyn: Blackmail! Mason must’ve had leverage. That’s the only explanation...

Evelyn had always seen Amelia as fragile, timid. The idea of her willingly carrying Mason’s child was unfathomable. A nagging suspicion crept in—was there something she didn’t know?

She combed through the details again.

Evelyn: No coercion. No blackmail. No... Ugh.

Silence.

The Blackwoods leaned in, hungry for more, only to be left hanging.

What the hell happened?!

The suspense is torture!

Then—Evelyn’s sharp inhale.

Evelyn: Daniel, you’re the unluckiest man alive!

The Blackwoods’ pulses spiked.

Evelyn: Why did you interfere? She wanted it!

Reality crashed over them, shattering every assumption.

Could it be... Amelia enjoyed the abuse?

Is this some kind of twisted kink?

Evelyn: Back then, Amelia was new to school when she "accidentally" spilled water on Mason. The moment he noticed her—ratty clothes, quiet demeanor, no parents to defend her—his cruelty spiraled. The bullying escalated fast. Slaps. Kicks. Daily torment.

Evelyn: At first, she complained to teachers. But the more Mason got scolded, the worse he retaliated. Soon, classmates avoided her out of fear. They chose self-preservation over compassion.

The Blackwood family sat in stunned silence as Evelyn recounted the twisted tale. It was a classic case of every man for himself—until Daniel Wright, then a first-year senior, stumbled upon Grayson Hart tormenting Amelia Bennett with a group of younger girls. Daniel, righteous to a fault, intervened without hesitation. He escorted Amelia to the infirmary, tended to her wounds, and demanded answers. When he learned the truth, he stormed to the principal’s office, refusing to let the matter drop. Eventually, Grayson was summoned with his parents.

The Blackwoods exchanged bewildered glances. Wasn’t this supposed to be a straightforward hero-saves-the-damsel scenario?

Yet, even if Amelia didn’t fall for her rescuer, how could she possibly develop feelings for her tormentor?

Evelyn continued, her voice measured. At the time, Amelia feared and resented Grayson, but she was deeply grateful to Daniel. After the school handled the incident, she accidentally witnessed Grayson speaking with Victor Reed on campus. She only knew Victor as Grayson’s father—not Daniel’s. Victor berated Grayson harshly, even striking him. "Remember your place as an illegitimate child," he hissed. "One more misstep, and I’ll have you sent away!" When Grayson tried to call him 'Father,' Victor silenced him with a glare.

The Blackwoods frowned. And? How does this explain Amelia’s feelings?

Evelyn’s lips thinned. After Victor left, Grayson broke down in the rain. To Amelia, he looked like a lost child. Something in her stirred—pity, perhaps—and she stepped forward, shielding him with her umbrella. At first, Grayson reacted with hostility, even raising a hand to strike her. But she didn’t flinch. She just stared at him, silent and sorrowful. Then, he shattered. He pulled her into a desperate embrace, sobbing against her shoulder. In a moment of raw emotion, he kissed her. She resisted at first, but then… she stopped. And just like that, Grayson carved a place for himself in her heart.

Nathan Blackwood pinched the bridge of his nose. This reads like some angsty teen drama. Fine, so they had a moment. But how did Daniel get dragged into this mess?

Evelyn sighed. After their encounter, Grayson was mortified. He wanted to erase it from existence—especially since he’d never thought much of Amelia to begin with. Amelia wasn’t the type to demand commitment, so outwardly, nothing changed. But Grayson had a rebellious streak. He craved Victor’s approval and resented Daniel for having it. Since Daniel protected Amelia, Grayson targeted her even more fiercely.

Yet, Evelyn added, Daniel was dealing with his own struggles. He assumed the earlier incident had been enough to deter Grayson. And Amelia… she couldn’t bear the thought of Grayson being expelled. So she endured his cruelty in silence, hiding it from Daniel.

But once Grayson noticed Daniel’s attention waning, he lost interest in Amelia and started pursuing women who caught Daniel’s eye. Amelia, feeling abandoned, grew anxious. She began confiding in Daniel, her distress bleeding into their interactions. It didn’t take long for him to realize something was wrong.

The room fell silent.

Nathan’s jaw tightened. So let me get this straight. Amelia pitied Grayson, endured his abuse to protect him, and then… fell for him?

Evelyn’s gaze darkened. Love isn’t logical. Sometimes, the heart clings to the very thing that breaks it.

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the penthouse as Evelyn Sinclair stirred beneath silk sheets. Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand—another message from Lillian Graves, her ever-efficient assistant.

"Evelyn, the meeting with Preston Whitmore has been moved to 11 AM. Also, Nathan Blackwood’s office called—again."

Evelyn groaned, rubbing her temples. Nathan had been relentless since their last encounter, his messages growing increasingly urgent. She knew what he wanted—answers she wasn’t ready to give.

Downstairs, the penthouse hummed with quiet activity. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted from the kitchen, where her housekeeper, Claudia Bennett, was already preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, Miss Sinclair," Claudia greeted warmly. "I made your favorite—avocado toast with poached eggs."

Evelyn forced a smile. "Thank you, Claudia."

Her phone buzzed once more. This time, it wasn’t Lillian.

"We need to talk. Today."

Nathan’s name flashed on the screen, sending an unwelcome jolt through her. She exhaled sharply, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Before she could reply, another notification popped up—a breaking news alert.

"A-List Actor Harrison Montgomery Spotted with Mystery Woman Amidst Divorce Rumors."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. Harrison—her former co-star and Natalie Whitaker’s soon-to-be ex-husband—was making headlines again. The accompanying photo showed him leaving a high-end hotel with Vanessa Sterling, his longtime mistress.

"Poor Natalie," Evelyn thought, though she knew the woman was far from helpless. Natalie had her own secrets—ones that could ruin Harrison if she chose to reveal them.

The doorbell chimed, pulling Evelyn from her thoughts.

Claudia hurried to answer it, returning moments later with a familiar face—Serena Whitmore, Evelyn’s sharp-witted agent.

"Darling, you look like you’ve seen a ghost," Serena remarked, eyeing Evelyn’s tense posture.

"Close enough," Evelyn muttered, tossing her phone onto the couch. "Nathan won’t stop calling."

Serena arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "And you’re avoiding him because…?"

Evelyn hesitated. The truth was complicated—wrapped in layers of past betrayals and unspoken promises.

Before she could answer, her phone rang again.

This time, it wasn’t Nathan.

It was Marcus Donovan—Julian Blackwood’s agent.

Evelyn’s pulse quickened. Julian was Nathan’s brother, and if he was calling…

Something was wrong.

She swiped to answer. "Marcus?"

His voice was clipped, urgent. "Evelyn, you need to get to the Blackwood estate. Now."

A chill ran down her spine. "Why? What happened?"

Marcus exhaled sharply. "It’s Sophia. She’s been in an accident."

The world tilted. Sophia—Nathan’s sister, her closest friend.

Evelyn was already grabbing her coat, her mind racing. "I’m on my way."

As she bolted toward the door, Serena called after her, "Evelyn, wait—what about your meeting with Preston?"

But Evelyn didn’t stop.

Some things were more important than business.

And right now, Sophia—and Nathan—needed her.

The Blackwoods: Huh? What... What does this mean?

They had initially pitied Amelia for her twisted affection toward the man who tormented her. But what they just heard left them utterly speechless.

Evelyn: Amelia assumed Daniel would merely warn Ethan. But every time Daniel caught him, he reported him to the school, demanding his expulsion. Each time, Amelia intervened, begging Daniel not to go through with it. When questioned, she would only shake her head, tears welling in her eyes—so heartbroken that anyone who saw her would ache in sympathy.

Evelyn: Daniel believed she was too traumatized to risk further retaliation. Though he vowed to protect her, she kept pleading for Ethan’s mercy. Little did Daniel know, she was protecting the man she secretly adored. Fearing his actions would distress her further, Daniel reluctantly relented and guarded her even more fiercely. Over time, his pity twisted into love.

Evelyn: Naturally, Ethan noticed. He saw the way she looked at him—no hatred, only something unsettlingly close to devotion. No matter how cruelly he treated her, she never truly fought back. A little force, and she yielded. Often, she didn’t even protest.

Evelyn: Ethan’s malice deepened when he realized Daniel loved Amelia. He locked her in a storage room, intent on violating her. She fought desperately, so he bound her. As he recorded her sobs, Daniel burst in. Seeing Amelia like that shattered him. In the ensuing struggle, Ethan’s face was permanently disfigured. Daniel, too, bore scars from that night.

The Blackwoods exhaled sharply.

Nathan’s expression darkened. He remembered Daniel’s childhood dreams—the spark in his eyes when he spoke of flying. Nathan had envied that passion; emotions never came easily to him. But now, Daniel’s dreams were ashes—all because of Ethan and Amelia.

Evelyn’s chest tightened. The truth was staggering.

Evelyn: The scandal exploded. Everyone expected Amelia to testify against Ethan, but she refused. They assumed she wanted to bury the shame, so they dropped it. Still, Ethan was expelled. Furious, his father smuggled him abroad for reconstructive surgery, where he stayed to study.

Evelyn: During Daniel’s hospitalization, Amelia visited daily. There, she learned his injuries had destroyed his chance at the Air Force—years of preparation, gone. She wept endlessly. Daniel’s mother, Serena, was so moved by her devotion...

The weight of sorrow pressed down on her so heavily that she couldn't bring herself to blame Amelia. Daniel, however, was devastated to see her in such distress. He reassured her repeatedly, insisting he was fine, even attempting to comfort her through her tears. The truth was, Amelia herself didn’t know who she was crying for—was it guilt toward Daniel, or the crushing realization that the man she truly loved was lost to her forever?

Evelyn: Perhaps it was out of remorse, or perhaps she was moved by his unwavering devotion, but Amelia eventually agreed to date Daniel. Despite her unconventional views on love, she knew deep down where her happiness truly lay.

The Blackwoods were stunned. This is unbearable! What kind of twisted mess is this? What did Daniel ever do to deserve this? Is Amelia repaying his kindness with betrayal?

And now she was carrying Mason’s child?

Wait—how did they even reconnect? Does Amelia have no morals at all?

Now, they fully grasped the meaning of never judging a book by its cover.

The whispers resumed.

Evelyn: Under Daniel’s gentle care, the wounds in Amelia’s heart slowly began to heal. Though they attended different universities, they shared a sweet and tender college romance. During this time, Amelia met Daniel’s father and discovered the truth about Mason and Daniel’s relationship. Desperate to escape, she nearly ended things with Daniel, but he managed to coax her back.

The Blackwoods: Ugh, why did he even bother? This is infuriating!

Evelyn: Because Amelia couldn’t bear to let go of such a good man, and she truly believed she could bury her misguided past. But everything shattered when Mason reappeared.

Evelyn: He returned with one goal—to take everything that belonged to Daniel. At first, Amelia resisted, wanting to flee, but Mason’s familiar dominance pulled her back in. On the very day they reunited, he dragged her into a hotel room, and… well, you can guess the rest. It was only then that Mason realized it had been her first time, and the thought filled him with dark satisfaction. Honestly, I feel sick just recounting this.

The Blackwoods: We’re nauseated too!

Evelyn: The encounter left Amelia broken, yet she still yearned for Mason and considered leaving Daniel. But Mason treated her like dirt, refusing to take responsibility. Heartbroken, Amelia walked away—yet she still didn’t break things off with Daniel.

Evelyn: It wasn’t long before Mason came crawling back. Amelia initially resisted, but the moment he whispered "I love you," she caved. Their secret affair continued behind Daniel’s back until Amelia became pregnant. When she demanded Mason choose, he was thrilled—not because he wanted her, but because he saw an opportunity. He insisted she marry Daniel and keep the child. That way, even if he couldn’t inherit the Reed fortune, his child could. Disgustingly cunning, isn’t he?

The Blackwoods were speechless. They had clung to the faint hope that Amelia might still have some shred of decency.

But after today’s wedding, they realized how laughably naive they’d been.

Evelyn: At first, Amelia hesitated. She still had a conscience, after all. Daniel was her savior, the man who had changed her life. She knew she had already betrayed him unforgivably. But Mason refused to claim her or their child. Terrified of raising a baby alone, she chose to betray Daniel completely. She even swore to him that she would build a happy life with him and their child—vowing never to see Mason again.

The Blackwoods: As if that’s believable!

Nathan suddenly recalled how Amelia had frequently skipped their gatherings. Had she really been busy, or…?

Pathetic. Absolutely vile. Mason’s promises were empty, yet Amelia clung to him, always at his beck and call. She dreamed he would sweep her away, only to be crushed each time. She knew he had a girlfriend—he never hid it. He bluntly told her that her status made her unfit to be his wife, that she should be grateful just to bear his child. It nearly destroyed her.

And yet, here she was today—smiling as if nothing was wrong.

By now, the Blackwoods felt physically ill.

Evelyn: I get that both she and Claire are securing substitute fathers for their children, but at least Claire is honest about her motives. Amelia, though…

Evelyn fell silent. For some inexplicable reason, her fury toward Amelia burned hotter than her anger toward Mason.

Her gaze flickered toward Nathan, who stood beside her, his expression stormy. She knew he was still reeling from the revelation that Mason was Victor Reed’s illegitimate son.

But I can’t just stand by.

Daniel was a good man—Nathan’s close friend. She couldn’t let this farce of a marriage continue. It was an insult to him! But how could she intervene? They’d been together for years, and Amelia was pregnant. Without concrete proof, how could she expose the truth?

Just as she wrestled with her thoughts, Nathan abruptly pulled out his phone and made a call.

"You have one hour," he commanded coldly. "Dig up everything on Mason Wright. I want every place he’s been in the last six months—especially any surveillance footage of him meeting someone alone."

Evelyn’s eyes lit up.

Wait—this could work! Nathan probably suspected Mason was plotting against Daniel out of revenge. But an investigation like this would inevitably uncover Amelia’s involvement. Once they had proof, the truth would come crashing down!