Chapter 234

"Good afternoon, Mayor Harrington and Chairman Blackwood!"

A melodious voice, crisp as silver bells, drifted into Nathan's ears.

Nathan's eyes snapped open to find Evelyn seated elegantly in the golf cart beside him.

His pulse quickened, blood rushing through his veins like wildfire.

Despite yesterday's humiliating encounter, he seemed utterly unaffected—as if the memory had been wiped clean from his mind.

The entire group froze. Cassandra couldn't contain herself. "How did you get past security?!"

"VIP access, darling." Evelyn tilted her head, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with Cassandra's rising fury. "The main entrance welcomes me whenever I please."

Cassandra's face burned with remembered shame. That thrashing with slippers had left psychological scars no amount of makeup could cover.

Penelope's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Leonard's reaction was more measured, though equally startled.

But Mrs. Harrington's eyes lit up like Christmas lights. "Good heavens! Where has this exquisite creature been hiding?" she whispered to her husband. "She's absolute perfection—exactly the sort of girl I'd want for our—"

Theodore stepped forward first, offering his hand to help Evelyn descend.

She wore a sky-blue golf ensemble with a wide-brimmed white hat that framed her delicate features perfectly. The playful breeze caught her pleated mini skirt, revealing toned legs that drew every male gaze in the vicinity.

Nathan's jaw tightened when he noticed their matching color scheme—his polo shirt the exact same shade as her outfit, creating an unintentional couple's look.

His dark eyes smoldered with renewed hunger.

Evelyn was devastatingly beautiful—a fact that never failed to punch him in the gut.

"What an unexpected pleasure, Ms. Kingsley." Leonard recovered first, offering a polite smile though confusion creased his forehead.

"Oh, this isn't accidental, Chairman Blackwood." Evelyn clasped her hands behind her back, her confident gaze locking onto the mayor. "I came specifically to speak with Mayor Harrington."

A collective intake of breath.

Nathan's entire body went rigid, his expression turning glacial.

After their recent encounters, he'd learned to read Evelyn's patterns. She moved like a chess grandmaster—every appearance calculated, every word loaded with implication.

His mind raced. What was her play this time?

"Mayor Harrington," Evelyn continued smoothly, "I understand you're overseeing the Westridge development project and currently evaluating potential partners." Her lips curved into a victorious smile. "Monarch Group would be honored to collaborate in transforming Westridge into the crown jewel of Crestview."

Shockwaves rippled through the group.

Leonard and Penelope exchanged bewildered glances.

The mayor blinked owlishly, looking between Nathan and Leonard for guidance.

Nathan studied Evelyn's poised figure, his mouth suddenly dry as desert sand. But she didn't grant him so much as a sideways glance.

"Miss, you are...?" The mayor hesitated.

"Evelyn Kingsley." She extended a graceful hand. "My father is Harrison Kingsley, Chairman of Monarch Group in Fairhaven."

The mayor's initial dismissive expression transformed into one of startled recognition at the mention of the powerful conglomerate.