Chapter 182

The moment arrived when Evelyn Carter stepped forward to present her birthday offering.

As the attendants carried in the antique rosewood chair, a collective gasp swept through the gathering of connoisseurs and collectors.

"Magnificent! This is museum-quality craftsmanship!"

"Good heavens! I'd give anything to examine it properly!"

"Aside from those porcelain teacups earlier, this is undoubtedly the most valuable gift Reginald has received today!"

"Who is this Ms. Carter? To casually present 17th-century furniture as a gift! It appears Mr. Blackwood's former wife moves in elite circles!"

Nathan Blackwood felt his chest constrict. His stormy gaze remained fixed on his ex-wife with unsettling intensity.

He never anticipated Evelyn could produce something the Kingsley family had acquired at that charity auction - a piece valued at $100 million!

This revelation spoke volumes about the Kingsley family's devotion to her.

Then Evelyn's next words struck Nathan like a physical blow.

"Grandfather, this comes from both Sebastian and myself." Her luminous eyes sparkled as she offered her blessing. "May your years be filled with joy and robust health."

Sebastian Kingsley executed a graceful bow. "Mr. Blackwood, I wish you vitality that outlasts the celestial bodies themselves. May every aspiration find fulfillment."

Standing together, Evelyn and Sebastian formed a picture of aristocratic elegance.

They appeared as though destiny itself had paired them.

Nathan's heart shuddered violently. His hand instinctively rose to his chest before he forced it down, unwilling to betray his turmoil.

"My dear child! This is far too extravagant!" Reginald's voice trembled with emotion even as he scolded gently. "Evelyn, any token from you would delight me. There was no need for such extravagance! Sebastian, your generosity overwhelms me."

Sebastian's smile remained composed. "Mr. Blackwood, Evelyn and I sought only to bring you happiness with our selection."

Cassandra Blackwood's lips curled in a sneer. "Grandfather, you should accept it. Clearly Ms. Carter is leveraging Mr. Kingsley's resources to impress everyone. How convenient to share credit for a gift you didn't purchase. Ms. Carter, your frugality is... impressive."

Evelyn's crimson lips curved slightly. "I wouldn't presume upon Sebastian's kindness. I've prepared a modest personal gift as well, though it pales beside his offering."

Cassandra's eyes widened. This cunning woman had a secondary gift?!

"Evelyn! What else have you brought? Show me at once!" Reginald's excitement reignited.

A mysterious glimmer shone in Evelyn's eyes as she signaled with a graceful hand.

Theodore Winslow entered bearing an exquisite lacquered box.

Within lay a breathtaking jade landscape carving of unparalleled craftsmanship, where every mountain ridge and waterway had been rendered with astonishing precision.

The assembly erupted in awed murmurs.

Even Nathan and Julian Montgomery found themselves drawn to the masterpiece. Only a true artisan could achieve such lifelike detail.

Reginald's hands trembled as he pointed. "This... this resembles Edmund Fairchild's 'Endless Mountain Ranges'! Evelyn, how did you acquire this?!"

Edmund Fairchild, the legendary sculptor whose rare works commanded astronomical prices internationally.

"Grandfather, you flatter me too much." Evelyn's cheeks pinkened as she tucked a stray lock behind her ear. "This is my humble imitation - 'Hundred League Vista'. I labored over every detail, but it falls far short of Master Fairchild's genius. Merely a student's tribute."

The crowd regarded this stunning woman with newfound respect.

A student's tribute? Preposterous!

The level of detail compressed into the jade surface required masterful skill. From even a modest distance, one might mistake it for Fairchild's own work.

Who was this remarkable woman? Could she be Fairchild's secret protégé?

Admiring gazes followed Evelyn while Penelope Whitmore and Cassandra appeared as though they'd swallowed something unpleasant. "Since leaving our family, Evelyn has transformed completely. She's become unstoppable!"

"My precious girl, you are this old man's greatest treasure!" Reginald clung to Evelyn's hand joyfully.

"To have such a wife - what more could any man desire?" Julian Montgomery sighed dreamily.

Nathan shot him a warning glare. Wife? She's not yours!

His burning gaze returned to Evelyn, now the radiant center of admiration. Yet with each triumph, Nathan felt the gulf between them widening - though they'd shared three years as husband and wife.