Chapter 21

Evelyn swore to herself she wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Her phone buzzed with messages from the Kingsley Family Intelligence Network.

[Sebastian: Evelyn, all the defamatory articles about you were removed overnight. The social media accounts spreading rumors were suspended too.]

[Sebastian: Nathan was behind it.]

[Evelyn: How thoughtful of him. I suppose I should send a thank you note.]

[Dominic: He's delusional if he thinks deleting posts fixes anything.]

[Donovan: Blackwood Industries' stock barely dipped at market open today. Disappointing.]

[Maxwell: Evelyn, we're still making the Sterlings pay, even if we have to wait!]

[Evelyn: Naturally. Revenge is best served slowly.]

She summoned her assistant Theodore.

He entered promptly. "You needed me, Ms. Carter?"

"Did you compile all the documents and evidence I requested?" Evelyn swiveled in her leather chair, fingers drumming on the armrests.

"Everything's prepared. We can submit it to authorities immediately."

"Not yet." Evelyn crossed her legs, the sunlight catching the delicate curve of her ankle. "First, leak this to Monarch Group's media connections - Éclat News specifically. Let the public digest it first."

"The media frenzy will complicate things. Wouldn't a direct strike be more effective?" Theodore frowned.

"I prefer ceremony. Never kill your prey quickly." Evelyn traced the emerald bracelet Reginald had given her, her smile chilling. "I want to watch them bleed out drop by drop."

Once exposed, the Sterlings would scramble. Damian and Richard were powerless against her, forcing Victoria to beg Nathan for help.

Evelyn's lips curved. "Nathan, I can't wait to see how passionately you defend your precious fiancée."

By evening rush hour, the story exploded across Fairhaven.

Monarch Group terminates all contracts with Sterling Enterprises over quality concerns!

Substandard materials? Safety violations? Luxe Furnishings' products under investigation.

Caught unprepared, the Sterlings' incompetent PR team couldn't contain the fallout or remove the damning comments.

[Sterling Enterprises? Isn't that Nathan Blackwood's future in-laws? Awkward timing before their wedding!]

[Thought his fiancée came from old money. Turns out her family sells particle board garbage!]

[Returning my Luxe Furnishings order tomorrow. Total scam!]

In his study, Nathan listened to Oliver's report, tension coiling in his shoulders.

The Kingsleys dominated Fairhaven's economy. Their boycott would trigger industry-wide avoidance of Sterling Enterprises.

Oliver smirked, enjoying the spectacle. "Thank heavens they're not publicly traded. Your father-in-law might need hospitalization when he sees tomorrow's-"

Nathan's glacial stare silenced him.

"These allegations lack substantiation. Probably baseless rumors." Nathan's jaw tightened. "How did this quality issue surface?"

"Monarch Grand Hotels' new Crestview manager initiated the cancellation. Within days, every Monarch property removed Luxe Furnishings."

"A hotel manager wields that much influence?"

"Because she's Harrison Kingsley's daughter - Evelyn Kingsley-Carter."

Evelyn Kingsley-Carter.

The name sent an inexplicable jolt through Nathan, though he couldn't place why.