Chapter 123

Evelyn snatched up her phone with trembling fingers. "Hello, Dominic?" Her voice came out softer than she intended.

"Evie! Damn it, I've been trying to reach you for hours!" Dominic's usually composed tone crackled with urgency through the receiver.

Her grip tightened on the device. "What's wrong?"

"Has Maxwell contacted you today?"

"No... why? What's going on?" A cold dread crept up her spine.

Dominic exhaled sharply. "Julian and I got wasted last night. When Maxwell was completely plastered, he... he said something terrifying."

Evelyn's pulse skyrocketed.

Her fourth brother had that peculiar trait - while most people's drunken ramblings meant nothing, Maxwell's intoxicated declarations became tomorrow's reality.

Where others would wake with hazy memories, Maxwell's eidetic recall remained razor-sharp even in deepest intoxication. That photographic memory had made him one of the agency's most lethal operatives.

"What did he say?!" Evelyn's voice rose an octave. Her stomach twisted into knots.

"He swore he's going to kill Nathan."

The world tilted. Only Sebastian's quick reflexes kept her from collapsing against the church pew.

"Maxwell flew halfway across the globe just to settle your score! Last night he kept ranting about teaching Nathan a permanent lesson. Said he'd either castrate him or put a bullet between his eyes - claimed it's the only way to cleanse his rage. I thought he'd listen to reason after sobering up, but when I called him all day today..." Dominic's voice broke. "He's not answering. Evie, do you think he actually went after Nathan?"

Evelyn didn't bother explaining to Sebastian. She turned on her heel and sprinted from the chapel, her designer heels clicking frantically against the marble floor.

Meanwhile at the press conference venue, Cassandra Blackwood was drowning in her own disaster.

The public's fury only intensified as Cassandra's half-hearted apology failed to satisfy anyone. Social media erupted with fresh condemnation.

Truth be told, Penelope Whitmore had prepared a carefully crafted statement for Cassandra to memorize. She'd even forbidden any makeup to project contrition.

But Cassandra, ever the rebellious socialite, had other plans. Arrogance blinded her to consequences. She'd envisioned this as her grand redemption - the moment the world would fall in love with Blackwood Industries' most beautiful heiress.

Instead, the internet crowned her its newest meme queen.

[Monarch Grand Hotels just earned my lifelong loyalty! That Angel employee deserves a raise!]

[Never booking Blackwood properties again! Disgusting behavior!]

[Let's make #BoycottBlackwood trend until their stock crashes!]

As Cassandra finished her disastrous speech, reporters swarmed like vultures. Microphones jabbed at her face from every angle, each question more brutal than the last.

The pampered heiress had never faced such hostility. Her legs buckled as security hustled her offstage - only for her stiletto to catch on a step.

The resulting faceplant became an instant viral sensation.

Two hulking bodyguards scooped her up like a ragdoll, her designer dress riding up to reveal lacy lingerie. Within minutes, #CassandraBlackwoodFaceplant dominated global trends.

Meanwhile at Velvet Lounge, Nathan Blackwood and Julian Montgomery staggered out arm in arm - former rivals now bonded by whiskey.

Julian, with his legendary alcohol tolerance, merely swayed. But Nathan, drowning his sorrows in single malts, could barely keep his eyes open.

His usually pristine tie hung loose as flushed skin peeked through unbuttoned collar. That aristocratic jawline now slack with intoxication.

"You good?" Julian tightened his grip as Nathan listed dangerously toward the stairs.

"M'fine." Nathan rubbed his temples with a wince. "Your bartender serving paint thinner? Head's splitting."

"Bastard." Julian chuckled. "No wonder Evelyn left you."

Nathan's throat worked as he panted, the column of his neck glistening. Even through the haze, Julian noted how effortlessly his friend exuded raw sexuality.

With a grunt, Nathan shoved away. "Going home."

"Like hell you are. I'm driving."