Chapter 266

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Evelyn Sinclair’s bedroom. She stretched lazily, her mind still half-lost in the remnants of last night’s dream. A smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she recalled the scandalous whispers she had overheard in her mind—again.

Ever since she had gained this bizarre ability to read people’s most private thoughts, life had become infinitely more entertaining. And today? Oh, today promised to be particularly juicy.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Nathan Blackwood, her infuriatingly charming yet equally frustrating business rival—and, if she were being honest with herself, the man who had been occupying far too much of her thoughts lately.

"Meeting at ten. Don’t be late."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. As if she needed him to remind her. But then—her smirk widened—she caught the unspoken thought lingering beneath his words.

"And wear that red dress. The one that makes it impossible to focus."

Oh, Nathan.

She tossed her phone aside and swung her legs out of bed, already plotting. If he wanted a show, she’d give him one. But first, coffee. And gossip.

Downstairs, her assistant, Lillian Graves, was already waiting with a fresh cup of espresso and a stack of tabloids.

"You’re in a good mood," Lillian observed, raising an eyebrow.

Evelyn took a sip, savoring the rich bitterness. "You have no idea."

Because while Nathan’s thoughts had been amusing, they were nothing compared to the absolute chaos brewing in the minds of the elite socialites she’d be seeing at today’s charity gala. Affairs, betrayals, secret deals—oh, the things people thought when they believed no one was listening.

And Evelyn? She was always listening.

She flipped open the first tabloid, her eyes skimming the headlines with detached amusement. But her mind was already elsewhere, replaying the most scandalous tidbits she’d plucked from unsuspecting minds.

Tonight was going to be fun.

And if Nathan thought he could distract her with a red dress? Well.

She’d make sure he regretted it.

The moment Nathan stepped into the room, his piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn. His long strides quickened until he was nearly jogging to reach her side.

"Evelyn." Nathan's deep voice came from behind her. Without waiting for anyone's reaction, he immediately claimed her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. "Forgive me for making you wait."

Evelyn blinked in surprise.

Speak of the devil.

With his striking features and commanding presence, it was no wonder women flocked to him wherever he went.

Nathan's lips twitched.

Is my wife... complimenting me?

"Nathan, what a coincidence," Caleb Moore remarked, though his tone carried an edge of discomfort.

Only then did Nathan turn his attention to him, his expression hardening. "What are you doing here?"

His voice held none of the warmth one might expect between acquaintances—only cold suspicion.

Nathan had learned earlier that the Bennetts and Moores were supposed to be at a private gathering today. Caleb should have been with Beatrice Holloway, not here.

Catching Nathan's icy tone, Caleb bristled. He had always considered himself Nathan's equal and assumed the other man simply disliked him—especially since Nathan was close to Lucas Thornton, a cousin Caleb despised.

"We came to discuss a collaboration," Caleb announced, his voice dripping with condescension. "But your staff is utterly incompetent. Their inefficiency is appalling. They insisted on consulting you over trivial matters." He smirked. "Given our history, I assumed you'd handle it personally. Perhaps you should train your employees better, Mr. Blackwood."

At his words, the wallpaper installer froze, his hands tightening around his tools. He had done nothing wrong—yet here he was, being publicly humiliated.

Evelyn's eyes narrowed.

So, he thinks name-dropping their social circles means he doesn’t have to explain himself? That Nathan will just bend to his whims out of respect for the Bennetts? And now he’s using this as an excuse to punish an innocent employee who simply didn’t grovel at his feet?

Her blood boiled. I despise entitled men like him.

Nathan caught her thoughts and silently agreed. If my wife hates it, then so do I.

"What exactly is this trivial matter?" Nathan turned to the employee, his voice calm but firm.

The man hesitated, unsure if he should speak up.

"Go ahead," Evelyn encouraged gently, offering him a reassuring smile.

Relieved, the employee quickly recounted the earlier exchange.

The audition results were determined under fair conditions. Naturally, if Luna's performance matched the other actresses', her casting—which came with additional investment—would be the obvious choice.

Caleb's expression darkened instantly upon hearing this.

It suddenly struck him that he'd been patronized by a junior employee.

What infuriated him more was that, as a member of the prestigious Moore family and CEO of a major entertainment conglomerate, his influence should have outweighed some random employee's. Yet, Nathan and Evelyn had the audacity to question and dismiss him.

After listening to the exchange, Nathan turned to the junior employee. "At Blackwood Group, we don't operate on personal favors. Everything is handled with professionalism and fairness."

This had always been Nathan's principle. A corporation that relied on nepotism would inevitably rot from within. His leadership had propelled Blackwood Group to unprecedented success precisely because he refused to compromise on integrity.

Still, human nature being what it was, such incidents were unavoidable. Only critical matters under Nathan's direct supervision remained untarnished. This project, being a subsidiary's affair, was why they were even entertaining Caleb's demands instead of outright rejecting him.

The employee was sharp. He recognized Nathan's words as approval of his stance—assurance that no influential figure's complaint would cost him his job.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood." The employee's admiration for Nathan was palpable.

Meanwhile, Caleb's face had turned stormy. "And what about my reputation?" he snapped, incredulous. These were people who'd be attending his engagement party in days!

Evelyn smirked. "Oh, didn’t you know? I was once signed under Blackwood Group. No matter how much I begged my husband, he refused to pull strings for me. It wasn’t until I struck out on my own that I earned my success." Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "If I couldn’t sway him, what makes you think you can?"

Nathan shot her a look, caught between pride and chagrin.

Now, of course, he'd give Evelyn anything she wanted. He wasn’t inflexible—just fiercely principled. But back then? Not a chance.

Caleb seethed but couldn’t retaliate, forced to swallow his fury under their united front.

Then Luna finally spoke, adopting a pitiful, pleading tone. "Nate, won’t you help me? This is my first major film! Can’t you make an exception?"

Evelyn nearly gagged. Nate? Goosebumps prickled her skin. Did she really just try that after I explicitly said he wouldn’t even help his own wife? This was a blatant challenge—a love rival testing boundaries.

Nathan stiffened slightly, reading Evelyn's thoughts. Unwanted admirer? His lips twitched.

Nathan Blackwood studied the unfamiliar woman before him, his brows knitting together in confusion. "Who are you?" His voice was cool, edged with irritation. "Mind your manners. That casual address is inappropriate."

Two distinct giggles erupted—one from Evelyn Sinclair, the other from the junior assistant who failed to suppress her amusement at the unfolding scene.

Luna Morgan's face paled further than Caleb Moore's, as though Nathan's words had physically struck her. She swayed slightly, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

"Nate, you—"

"That nickname is off-limits," Nathan cut in sharply, his tone hardening.

"Nathan, are you serious?" Caleb, despite noticing Luna's obvious ulterior motives toward Nathan, found himself bristling on her behalf.

Evelyn, however, found the situation increasingly bizarre. Nathan wasn’t the type to feign ignorance—unless he genuinely didn’t recognize her.

Strange. Even if they aren’t close, he should at least know her. He doesn’t have face blindness. Isn’t Luna Lucas Thornton’s half-sister from his mother’s remarriage? She stifled another laugh. Ah, the tangled webs of high-society families.

Nathan blinked, momentarily stunned by Evelyn’s silent commentary.

Then, realization dawned. "You’re Lucas’s sister?"

They had met before, but her name had clearly slipped his mind.

Luna’s face lit up with hope—until Nathan tilted his head and remarked, puzzled, "Your face looks... different."

"Pfft—"

This time, only Evelyn failed to contain her laughter, while the assistant bit her lip hard enough to draw blood.

Luna’s complexion cycled through shades of crimson and chalk-white. She had undergone extensive cosmetic enhancements—face, body, the works. Yet she never imagined her pursuit of beauty would backfire so spectacularly.

Summoning what dignity she had left, she twirled playfully. "It’s the latest trend. Don’t you think I’ve improved, Nate?"

Nathan didn’t hesitate. Out of respect for Lucas, he chose diplomacy. "Your surgeon needs better taste."