Chapter 307

Nathan's handsome face darkened after his declaration. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the dining hall.

Penelope's heart clenched as she watched his retreating figure—tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating icy detachment.

At the same moment, Leonard abruptly withdrew his hand from beneath Penelope's and rose to his feet, his expression stern.

"Nathan is right." His voice was sharp with finality. "They brought this upon themselves. We've extended our help time and again, but now that they've caused this disaster, we can't afford to be dragged down with them. From now on, stay out of the Sterlings' affairs. That family is nothing but poison!"

With that, Leonard stormed out, leaving the table in tense silence.

Cassandra smirked, chewing her steak with exaggerated relish. "Honestly, Mother, why do you even care? Let that scheming Victoria rot in her own mess."

"Shut your mouth! You understand nothing!"

Penelope's composure shattered. Her eyes flashed with fury as she snatched a bread roll from the table and hurled it at Cassandra.

I underestimated him. The thought burned through Penelope's mind. He's even more ruthless than his father.

Now, it seemed she had no choice but to dip into her private funds to settle the Sterlings' debts. The thought was like swallowing glass—painful and humiliating.

After dinner, Nathan headed straight for the garage. Within minutes, his sleek black car was speeding toward Moonlight Cove.

He had expected relief after cutting Victoria out of his life. Instead, an unsettling hollowness gnawed at him.

From the moment he took the reins of Blackwood Industries, he had strived for perfection in every aspect of his life.

Yet now, it felt like everything was crumbling—his marriage, his family, even his own judgment.

"Ms. Carter was incredible! So calm under pressure. When Old Master Reginald collapsed, she didn't hesitate—just took out those needles and stabilized him within seconds. I've never seen anything like it. She's as skilled as his personal physician!"

Nathan's grip tightened on the steering wheel as the servant's words replayed in his mind.

He should have realized sooner. Evelyn had medical expertise.

She had saved Reginald. She had treated the hotel employee's seizure. And back when they were still married, she had eased his own migraines with those same steady hands.

She had given so much—quietly, selflessly—fulfilling her role as his wife with unwavering dedication.

So why had he only seen her as irritating? As insincere?

The realization struck like a physical blow. He had been blind to her virtues, obsessed with faults that existed only in his own stubborn perception.

His left hand pressed against his chest, as if he could physically suppress the ache spreading there.

Looking back, Nathan saw the truth with painful clarity: he had wasted years on Victoria. She had been his greatest mistake.

And to Evelyn? He was no better than Victoria.

When Reginald heard his grandson was coming, he waited eagerly in the sitting room, his weathered face alight with rare joy.

He had never voiced his affection openly, but his love for Nathan was undeniable. Why else would he have fought so hard to secure Nathan's position as CEO of Blackwood Industries?

Some bonds ran deeper than words.