Chapter 112

"No! I refuse to apologize! Never!" Cassandra's shrill voice echoed through the study as tears streamed down her flushed cheeks.

Nathan watched impassively as his half-sister threw another tantrum.

"Oliver," he called sharply.

The door opened immediately as Oliver Sinclair entered, bowing respectfully. "Yes, Mr. Blackwood?"

"Show the chairman the documents."

Oliver hesitated for just a fraction of second before handing the prepared files to Leonard Blackwood.

Leonard frowned. "What's this?"

"The financial reports for Éclat Boutique over the past two years," Nathan explained coolly. "Managed jointly by Penelope and Cassandra."

Penelope Whitmore's grip tightened on Leonard's arm, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his sleeve.

"Three years of operation," Nathan continued, "and nearly ten million in losses annually. All funded by Blackwood Industries' public accounts." His icy gaze swept over them. "The original agreement stated Penelope would be responsible for profits and losses. Since the company gains nothing, we shouldn't be covering these deficits."

Cassandra paled, her earlier defiance crumbling.

Nathan's expression remained unreadable. "If Cassandra refuses to apologize, I'll exercise my authority as CEO and shut down this money pit immediately."

"Shut it down?" Cassandra gasped, her face draining of color.

Penelope's eyes flashed with venom before she turned tearful eyes to Leonard. "Darling, you gifted me that boutique for our anniversary! You can't let him do this!"

Leonard's jaw clenched. The evidence was undeniable, even for him.

Nathan remained unmoved. "I'll overlook this... on two conditions. Cassandra makes a public apology, and Penelope repays all misused funds within forty-eight hours. Otherwise," his voice turned steely, "I'll present this to the board."

Penelope's hatred burned as she calculated her losses. That boutique was crucial to her plans.

Leonard sighed heavily. "Cassandra, hold a press conference tomorrow. Do as your brother says."

Cassandra slumped, defeated. The fight had drained from her.

Penelope recognized the battle was lost. Her glare promised retribution as Nathan and Oliver exited.

The moment the door closed, Leonard's furious roar and the sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the study.

Outside, Oliver scratched his head. "Sir, I thought you intended to pursue this to the end? What changed your mind?"

"That's none of your concern."

Nathan's mind flashed to Evelyn - those luminous eyes filled with hurt, the delicate floral scent that had enveloped him earlier.

He told himself it was Cassandra's cruel words caught on surveillance that changed his mind. But was that truly all?

Why had he reacted so violently when they targeted Evelyn? When Leonard pushed for the divorce? Was there no personal stake in his actions?

"Sir," Oliver ventured, "was it worth using our hard-won evidence just for an apology?"

Nathan shrugged. "Even if we exposed this, Father would cover for Penelope regardless. Love blinds him."

He pushed thoughts of Evelyn away, focusing instead on the cityscape beyond the windows. "I chose a resolution we can both live with. I wrongfully accused her about Victoria at the auction."

A quiet sigh escaped him as he buried the ache in his chest. "This settles my debt to her. I won't owe her anything after this."