Chapter 29

Nathan Blackwood found no satisfaction in his newfound freedom to pursue love. Instead, he was drowning in guilt over how he'd treated Evelyn Carter during their marriage.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts. Oliver Sinclair burst in clutching a file.

"Mr. Blackwood, I've uncovered something crucial. Monarch Grand Hotels canceled all contracts with Luxe Furnishings over a week ago and severed ties with Sterling Corporation. Yet Monarch Group kept quiet about the furniture defects at the time. The media remained clueless."

Then came Evelyn's shocking marriage announcement and her public smear campaign against Victoria Sterling. That's when Monarch Group exposed Luxe Furnishings' quality issues, creating an industry earthquake.

Nathan's hands trembled as he fumbled for painkillers, swallowing two dry to combat the migraine threatening to split his skull.

"Apparently Vincent Prescott, a VP at the hotel, took massive kickbacks from Sterling Corporation before Ms. Kingsley took charge. When she discovered the substandard mattresses replacing authentic ones, she fired him immediately. The man had worked there twenty years - was personally promoted by Harrison Kingsley! Damn, Ms. Kingsley's got steel in her spine. She's practically your female counterpart, sir."

Despite his annoyance at climbing ten flights (the elevators were down again), Oliver couldn't help admiring Evelyn's ruthlessness.

Nathan massaged his temples. "These events aren't coincidental. They're connected."

Suddenly, he remembered - those sharp staccato heels clicking down the corridor yesterday. He'd know that rhythm anywhere.

"Don't take those pills, Nathan. Let me massage your temples or try acupuncture instead."

"Your pain hurts me too. I want to heal you so neither of us suffers anymore."

Evelyn's tender words haunted him. For a delirious moment, he imagined slender fingers pressing against his throbbing temples.

Goddammit! Not her again. Now he was hallucinating her touch.

Was he actually missing the affection he'd scorned during their marriage? He refused to become that kind of pathetic ex.

As night fell, Nathan's Rolls-Royce glided through rain-slicked streets.

Blackwood Industries headquarters stood just blocks from Monarch Grand Hotel's glittering towers. Nathan had always envied the prime real estate Monarch Group occupied, now valued at nearly $10 billion.

Had poor management not cost them a star rating, it would be Crestview's only six-star hotel.

Evelyn Kingsley's arrival had reversed the hotel's decline, steering it back to glory.

At a red light, Nathan wiped condensation from the window - and froze.

A familiar silhouette stood roadside, umbrella in hand, hailing a cab.

Nathan's pulse skyrocketed. Before rational thought caught up, he was sprinting through the downpour.

"Mr. Blackwood! What the hell?" Oliver scrambled after him, baffled by his boss's erratic behavior since the divorce.

The woman grasped a taxi door handle when an iron grip seized her wrist.

She looked up - and went sheet-white.

"Mr. Blackwood?"

"Ms. Kingsley."

Rain plastered Nathan's hair over his stormy eyes. "Need a ride?"

With a startled cry, she wrenched free and dove into the cab, which sped away.

Oliver caught up, holding an umbrella over his drenched employer. Nathan shoved it aside, chest heaving.

"Evelyn Kingsley...you lying witch!"