Chapter 268

The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to close in as Victoria Sterling lay weakly on the bed, her mother Margaret Sterling sitting beside her.

"Your father pulled every string he could to hire Lawrence Pembroke for your aunt's release," Margaret said, her voice laced with satisfaction. "He even spent a fortune. That just proves how much your uncle still cares for her."

She leaned in closer, her tone brightening. "And thanks to Penelope Whitmore, your engagement to Nathan is practically set in stone!"

Margaret's eyes sparkled with triumph. "He's been visiting you every single day, hasn't he? The way he speaks to you—so gentle, so attentive. There's no denying it, the two of you have grown closer."

The mere thought of becoming the mother-in-law of Blackwood Industries' president sent a thrill through her. She tilted her head. "You know Nathan better than I do. If he truly despised you, why would he bother coming here at all?"

Victoria bit her lip, her fingers twisting the edge of the blanket. "I know, but... something feels off."

Nathan's cold, distant gaze haunted her. Even though he had been by her side these past few days, something about him had changed.

Margaret waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, stop overthinking it."

Just then, the door swung open, and Nathan strode in.

Victoria immediately transformed—her posture slumped, her voice weak and trembling. "Nathan..."

He approached, his expression unreadable. She reached out, hoping for the warmth of his touch, but he stopped just out of reach. Her hand hovered awkwardly in the air, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"I have business at the office," he said, his tone polite but icy. "I'll come back tonight."

"Nathan, I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused you," Victoria whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's all my fault..."

"Rest. Don't dwell on it."

With that, he turned and left.

Victoria's grip on the sheets tightened, her nails digging into the fabric. This wasn't the Nathan who had once doted on her. The way he looked at her now sent chills down her spine.

Panicked, she shot Margaret a desperate glance.

Understanding, Margaret hurried after him.

"Nathan!" she called out.

He stopped, turning to face her with an impassive stare. "Yes?"

Margaret dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "You've seen how fragile Victoria is. She's only coherent when you're here. The moment you leave, she falls apart. She suffered so much abroad, all for the chance to return to you. If you abandon her now, she'll be ruined!"

Nathan's expression remained unreadable. "I'll take responsibility for her recovery. After all, she did save my life once."

Then he walked away, leaving Margaret standing there, a cold dread settling in her chest.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Carter was buried in work, coordinating high-level meetings and perfecting the wedding planning project.

Her team was deep in discussion when her phone rang.

She answered without looking. "Harrison, I'm in the middle of something. What is it?" She balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder, flipping through documents.

The room fell silent.

Harrison Kingsley?!

Every head turned, eyes wide. The mere mention of the Monarch Group chairman sent a ripple of shock through the team.

This was a man most of them would never even glimpse in their lifetimes!

Then, in a low, abrupt tone, Harrison said, "It's time."

Evelyn blinked. "Huh?"

His voice suddenly boomed through the speaker. "Your blind date! You'd better go, or else!"

She jerked the phone away from her ear, wincing.

The entire room heard.

Jaws dropped.

The brilliant, elegant Evelyn Carter—whose wealth could rival a small nation—needed a blind date?!