Chapter 46

The morning sun cast golden streaks across Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse as she stared at her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Today was the day—the final confrontation with Nathan Blackwood. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the emerald pendant around her neck, the same one he'd given her on their first anniversary.

"Stop overthinking," Lillian Graves chided, handing her a steaming cup of chamomile tea. "You look like you're preparing for war, not a business merger."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "With Nathan, it's always both."

Across the city, Nathan stood by his office window, his sharp gaze fixed on the skyline. The Blackwood-Grayson merger was hours away, but his mind was elsewhere—specifically, on the woman who'd walked out of his life six months ago.

"Sir," Marcus Donovan interrupted, holding out a file. "Victoria Hayes just leaked internal documents to the press. The board is demanding answers."

Nathan's jaw tightened. Of course she had. Victoria had been a thorn in his side since Evelyn left, seizing every opportunity to undermine him. "Damage control. Now."

Meanwhile, Evelyn's phone buzzed with a notification—an anonymous tip about Nathan's alleged involvement in corporate espionage. Her stomach twisted. This wasn't just a smear campaign; someone was playing them both.

At the merger venue, tension crackled in the air. Reporters swarmed as Evelyn stepped out of her car, her crimson dress a bold contrast to Nathan's monochrome suit. Their eyes locked—years of love and betrayal flashing between them.

"Evelyn," he murmured, close enough that only she could hear. "Whatever you're planning, don't."

She smiled coolly. "Who says I'm the one with the agenda?"

Just as the signing began, the screens flickered to life, broadcasting footage of Victoria admitting to framing Nathan. Gasps filled the room. Nathan's expression darkened—he hadn't authorized this.

Evelyn leaned in. "Surprise. I had my own ace."

Before he could respond, the fire alarm blared. Chaos erupted as the crowd stampeded toward exits. In the commotion, Evelyn vanished—leaving Nathan with a single text:

"Game on."

Despite doting on their daughter, Richard and Margaret held firm to their principles when it came to serious matters.

"Genevieve," Richard said sternly, "Blackwood Group's hiring standards can't be bent for anyone's sake. Nathan has already made enough allowances for this boy. When Evelyn joined Blackwood Group, she only set up a small studio under a subsidiary, responsible for her own profits and losses. No one pulled strings to hand her major entertainment investments. If she were truly leveraging her position as the CEO's wife, why would she still be stuck doing photoshoots as a D-list model?"

Evelyn mused, Well, I suppose that’s a backhanded compliment? He wasn’t wrong—she did rely on her looks to make a living. Without any real professional skills, she couldn’t possibly take on serious projects. Still, she had always been professional during her shoots and never tarnished the company’s reputation.

"Don’t reach beyond your grasp. What’s wrong with being a driver? He knows nothing, yet he dreams of overnight success? Why can’t he understand that things must be earned step by step?" Margaret said firmly.

Evelyn thought, If Damian had been the type to work his way up, he’d have experience by now. But no—his constant hunger for shortcuts is exactly what landed him here.

She couldn’t help but scoff internally. Honestly, she believed Damian was utterly incompetent, and breaking up was the best thing that could’ve happened.

Listening to everyone’s harsh words, Genevieve seemed to have run out of arguments to salvage the situation. Unable to bear it any longer, she burst into tears and fled to her room, locking herself inside.

When Nathan found out Damian had ultimately refused the job, he called Evelyn to check on Genevieve.

Evelyn relayed the events plainly.

Nathan, however, didn’t react. "Understood," was all he said.

Evelyn felt a pang of sympathy for him. He’d only tried to intervene a little in his sister’s affairs, yet he’d ended up tangled in unnecessary drama.

"Anyway, Mom and Dad both blame Damian. Just focus on your work. Don’t worry about it anymore."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "I’m not bothered. This outcome was expected."

Evelyn wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but she could’ve sworn she heard a faint trace of amusement in his voice.

Was this all part of his plan? Did he deliberately intimidate Damian into backing down? She never expected Nathan to be so cunning.

By nightfall, Genevieve still hadn’t left her room.

The group gradually returned and learned about the day's events.

Julian let out a mocking laugh.

"Breaking up without even hearing an explanation just proves how stubborn he is. Genevieve has been sheltered her whole life—she's too easily swayed by others. If that guy hadn’t looked down on being a driver, she wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Honestly, the breakup is for the best. Give her some time, and she’ll get over it. Later, I’ll introduce her to some hot actors. She can take her pick—bad boys, sweethearts, you name it. Any of them would be better than that loser."

Evelyn’s eyes suddenly sparkled with realization, excitement bubbling up inside her. She rattled off a list of names to Julian. "Can I pick too?"

Her mind raced with fantasies—A shy, boyish type… A brooding, intense one… Oh my!

Julian frowned. Wait, I’m choosing for my sister, not her. Why is she so hyped?

A sudden chill swept through the room. Julian glanced over and, sure enough, Nathan’s expression had darkened.

"What are you doing?" Julian asked, voicing Nathan’s unspoken question.

"I’ve been binge-watching their dramas lately—they’re gorgeous. Seeing them in person would be eye candy," Evelyn said, grinning.

Sophia, who had also watched the shows, nodded in agreement.

Julian scoffed. "With me and Nate around, you seriously need to gawk at other men?"

"It’s about variety," Evelyn deadpanned.

No matter how handsome you two are, what’s the point? The real fun is teasing the shy, uptight ones until they blush. These guys have already flaunted their abs on screen—who knows, maybe I’ll even get to touch them!

The more she thought about it, the wider her grin grew.

Sophia cleared her throat. "Ahem. I’m going upstairs to check on Genevieve."

Julian followed. "Me too. That brat skipped dinner—is she sulking?"

They moved so fast, Evelyn barely had time to react.

Wait, we didn’t even decide which cute guys to invite to cheer her up!

When she turned, Nathan was staring at her, his expression unreadable—but his gaze was sharp enough to cut glass.

Without thinking, Evelyn blinked and hurried after the other two.

Margaret stepped forward, glancing at Nathan sideways. "Even if we’re being fair, can you honestly say you’re not at fault? Don’t blame Evelyn. What kind of husband won’t let his wife touch him? She has no choice but to find substitutes."

Nathan: What? I never said anything! She never even tried! How does she know I’d refuse?

His thoughts spiraled into chaos.

Upstairs, Evelyn found Julian fuming outside Genevieve’s door.

"Look, I just don’t like that guy. I’m completely against you two being together."

A muffled, desperate voice shot back from inside. "You—just because your own relationship failed, you can’t stand to see others happy! I bet you’re not even good enough for Celeste!"

Sophia couldn’t hold back. "Honestly, I wasn’t a fan of you two either. It’s not about being materialistic, but in a society like ours, it’s rare to find a man who can handle a woman being better than him."

Her expression darkened as she recalled someone. "If you two stayed together, he’d eventually face criticism. And in the end, he’d probably take it out on you to protect his fragile ego."

The moment she , Genevieve burst out, "Sophia, you can’t judge everyone based on your own bad experience!"

Sophia countered, "But judging by his behavior today, he’s clearly not the type to control his emotions. He wasn’t willing to swallow his pride for you."

"You were too harsh on him! You’re not the one dating him—I am! Didn’t you give your all in your past relationship? Why is it wrong when I do the same?"

Sophia fell silent.

Evelyn weighed the options in her mind—Sophia versus Genevieve. Genevieve came out on top.

Sophia and Julian both turned to look at Evelyn, their expressions unreadable. Then, as if by some silent agreement, they gestured for her to step in.

Evelyn thought, I don’t want to get involved. First love makes people irrational—obsessing over every little thing, and no amount of reasoning can change that. Besides, it was Damian who ended things. With his pride, he’d never reconsider. What’s the point in comforting her when the outcome is already set?

Just then, Genevieve’s muffled sobs echoed through the door.

Sophia and Julian exchanged glances—Genevieve versus Evelyn? Evelyn wins.

For the next week, Genevieve stayed home, nursing her broken heart in solitude. Though still deeply upset, she wasn’t one to hold grudges and had already made peace with her family. But reconciliation with Damian? Not a chance. When the new semester began, she reluctantly packed her bags and returned to her dorm.

A month later, while enjoying her afternoon tea in the garden, Margaret received a call.

"Hello? Oh, Professor Holloway! It’s been a while. What’s wrong?" Margaret’s cheerful expression darkened instantly. "What? Genevieve withdrew from the international exchange program? That can’t be—we never heard a word about this!"

"Alright, I understand," Margaret said hurriedly. "I’ll talk to her. Thank you for letting me know, Professor Holloway."

Without wasting another second, she dialed Genevieve’s number.

Sophia hovered nearby, equally anxious. That program had been the sole reason Genevieve chose that university in the first place. No matter how tough things got, she’d fought to stay at the top of her class. How could she just give up the chance to study at that prestigious overseas arts academy?

When the call connected, a man’s voice answered.

Margaret frowned. "Who is this? This isn’t Genevieve’s number."

"Wait—this is my daughter’s phone, isn’t it?"

Genevieve had assigned famous paintings as caller IDs for family members, making it impossible for outsiders to recognize them.

Before Margaret could respond, the line went dead.

Panic set in. Had something happened to Genevieve?

Evelyn’s thoughts raced. What the hell? I look away for five minutes and suddenly there’s a whole drama unfolding? Unbelievable.

Too stunned to react, she didn’t notice Sophia and Julian staring at her.

Evelyn wondered, Has Genevieve actually started keeping secrets from her family? She got back with Damian three weeks ago. The reason she gave up studying abroad? Because he refused to do long-distance. He made it clear—if she left, they were over. So Genevieve chose him.