Chapter 24

The morning sun cast golden rays through the windows as Nathan Blackwood adjusted his tie in the mirror. His tailored suit hugged his broad shoulders, the polished leather shoes gleaming under the light. Every detail was impeccable—he was a man who commanded attention.

With a deep breath, he stepped out, heading straight for Monarch Grand Hotel.

The moment he entered the grand lobby, the atmosphere struck him. The last time he had been here, the place had been lackluster, its reputation fading under poor management.

But now?

The transformation was undeniable.

The air smelled of fresh flowers, the staff moved with precision, and the decor exuded luxury. This wasn’t just a hotel—it was an experience.

Evelyn Carter had done this.

His jaw tightened.

She was proving to be far more formidable than he had anticipated.

Oliver Sinclair, his ever-loyal secretary, approached the front desk with authority.

"This is Mr. Nathan Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Industries. He wishes to speak with Ms. Carter immediately."

The receptionist barely glanced up.

"I'm afraid Ms. Carter doesn’t see anyone without an appointment."

Oliver’s face darkened.

"Do you know who you’re speaking to? Mr. Blackwood doesn’t wait for appointments."

The receptionist remained unfazed.

"Then perhaps he should have scheduled one."

Oliver’s hands clenched into fists. Nathan placed a firm hand on his shoulder, pulling him back before he could escalate the situation.

"Fine. Schedule one for us."

The receptionist tapped at her keyboard, unbothered.

"Ms. Carter’s schedule is full. You may try again tomorrow."

Oliver looked ready to explode.

Nathan’s expression darkened, but he kept his composure.

They left without another word.

Back in the car, Oliver slammed his fist against the dashboard.

"Unbelievable! Who does she think she is? This is Crestview, not Fairhaven! She can’t just—"

"Enough."

Nathan leaned back, loosening his tie. His sharp jawline tensed as he exhaled.

"We’ll try again tomorrow."

But tomorrow yielded the same result.

And the day after that.

Nathan Blackwood—business magnate, one of the nation’s most influential figures, a man who had dined with presidents—was being ignored.

It was infuriating.

Meanwhile, Evelyn strode into the hotel that morning, the click of her stilettos echoing through the marble halls.

She wore a sleek, double-breasted black suit, the fabric hugging her curves perfectly. Gold rose earrings glinted at her ears, completing the look of effortless power.

Gasps followed her.

"She’s stunning."

"Every day, I swear she gets more gorgeous."

Since taking over, Evelyn had turned the hotel around in weeks. The staff adored her. The guests raved.

And no one dared slack off under her watch.

Upstairs, Sebastian Kingsley’s voice crackled through the phone.

"Blackwood just injected another massive sum into Sterling Corporation."

Evelyn smirked, kicking off her heels and massaging her sore feet.

"Of course he did. He’s so blinded by love, he’ll throw money at a sinking ship."

"It won’t save them."

"No," she agreed, popping a piece of chocolate into her mouth. "Reputation isn’t something you can buy back."

Sebastian chuckled.

"You know, if the two of you ever did team up, you’d be unstoppable."

Evelyn’s smile turned icy.

"We’re not teammates, Sebastian. We’re rivals."

And she intended to win.