Chapter 238

"Mrs. Harrington, I truly appreciate your kindness."

Evelyn smiled faintly, her tone light but firm. "But I'm a divorcee—my current status is rather complicated. Besides, I have no intention of remarrying anytime soon. It wouldn’t be fair to lead your son on."

"What nonsense! What’s wrong with being divorced?" Mrs. Harrington scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Even so, you're still a thousand times better than those vapid young socialites who only care about appearances!"

Cassandra’s cheeks burned with humiliation. She clenched her fists, resentment simmering in her chest. Evelyn was like the blinding sun—wherever she went, everything else faded into insignificance.

The golf cart rolled away, leaving Evelyn to slip free effortlessly while the Blackwoods were left to deal with the wreckage she’d left behind.

"Chairman Blackwood," Evelyn said coolly, "I think it’s best we forget about the Westridge project for now. Perhaps we can revisit cooperation on a more suitable venture in the future."

Mayor Harrington and his wife departed hastily, their expressions tight with displeasure.

If anything went wrong with the projects under his jurisdiction, the consequences would be severe.

Just as Leonard stood frozen in shock, he realized Nathan had vanished without a trace.

In the locker room, Evelyn shed her youthful golf attire, transforming back into the poised, untouchable heiress. She flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and strode out in her stilettos, every step radiating confidence.

The moment she turned the corner, she collided with a towering figure—one that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.

Her pulse fluttered, but she met Nathan’s icy gaze without flinching, her own expression unreadable.

"Mr. Blackwood," she drawled, arching a brow. "Since when did you develop a habit of lurking outside women’s locker rooms?"

"Evelyn," he bit out, his voice low and rough, "you won’t get the Westridge project."

His gaze dropped to her lips, soft and tempting, stirring something dangerous inside him. "That project belongs to Blackwood Industries. I won’t let you interfere."

"Oh?" She smirked, tilting her head. "And what exactly can you do? Blackwood’s reputation is in tatters. With the Whitmore scandal, the prosecutors will be digging into your company’s affairs. You can’t sign any contracts during an investigation—even if you wanted to keep it, you’re powerless."

Her smile was razor-sharp.

"You keep insisting we’re strangers after the divorce," Nathan growled, stepping closer until his arms caged her against the wall, his chest heaving. "Yet here you are, picking fights with me. Is this how you get your satisfaction? By tearing me down? Is this your idea of revenge?"

Evelyn’s lips curled, her eyes glinting with frost. "So that’s what you think?"

She leaned in, her breath brushing his ear as she whispered, "Then why did you play the hero earlier? That righteous act of yours is nauseating."

"Nauseating?" Nathan’s jaw clenched, fury and frustration warring inside him.

No matter what he did, her words always found their mark, cutting deeper than any blade.

"Evelyn," he warned, voice dangerously soft, "don’t push me to retaliate."

He closed the distance between them, his gaze locked onto hers. "Don’t think our past marriage will earn you any mercy in business. I’ll treat you just like any other opponent."

Evelyn blinked, unfazed. If anything, she looked exhilarated. "Good. That’s exactly what I want, Mr. Blackwood. If I make a move, you should strike back. Otherwise, this game would be dreadfully dull."

She rose onto her toes, her lips brushing his ear as she murmured, "Oh, and one more thing—"

Nathan stiffened, his skin burning where her breath touched him.

"I handed over all the evidence of Vincent’s crimes to the prosecutors. The media already has the story. Honestly, you should thank me. Now your dear stepmother’s little power play for the board will crumble before it even begins."

Nathan’s mind reeled. It felt like a dull knife twisting in his chest.

"Business is war, Mr. Blackwood," Evelyn purred, stepping back. "If you don’t fight with everything you have, you’ll lose spectacularly. And next time I strike?" Her smile turned lethal. "I promise, it’ll be far more ruthless than this."

With that, she shoved past him, her victory absolute.

Nathan stood rooted in place, his vision tinged with red.

He couldn’t breathe.