Chapter 336

Nathan Blackwood had been keeping a close watch on Evelyn Carter's movements ever since returning from Valmont to Crestview. Yet the reports from Oliver Sinclair only brought him the same monotonous updates—Evelyn remained buried in her work at Monarch Grand Hotels, never stepping foot outside the city.

Leaning back in his leather chair, Nathan gazed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, his brow furrowed. With Isabella Wang's wedding fast approaching, why wasn't Evelyn making any moves? Had she truly given up on her Alexa persona, or was she plotting something entirely different?

The incidents at Whitmore Gardens and Penelope Whitmore's arrest—intervened by Dominic Kingsley—had left Nathan wary of this seemingly delicate woman.

Honestly, who feared their ex-wife after divorce? The office phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts.

"Sir, Mr. Montgomery is here to see you," came the secretary's voice.

"Send him in."

Julian Montgomery strolled into the CEO's office like he owned the place, flopping onto the sofa with the ease of someone about to kick off his shoes for a nap.

"How many times must I remind you? This isn't your damn lounge," Nathan snapped without looking up from his documents. "Some of us actually work."

Julian snorted. "Invitation? What are you, the damn Emperor of Crestview? Though now that I think about it, you do resemble those heartless tyrants in my mother's soap operas."

Nathan slammed his pen down. "State your business or get out."

Unfazed, Julian tossed an orange in the air. "Isabelle's been back in town for days. Mom's cooking your favorite tonight—you're coming."

"Busy," Nathan clipped. "With the Isabella Wang situation unresolved, I'm not in the mood for socializing."

"Bullshit." Julian peeled the orange with exaggerated care. "Mom just flew back from Belvaux specifically to cook for you. You're really going to disrespect your godmother?"

Nathan's jaw tightened. "...Fine."

"That's more like it!" Julian's grin widened. "Though honestly, you're more loved in our family than your own. Pathetic, really."

A memory flashed through Nathan's mind—Isabelle's overly intimate behavior at the concert hall. When they'd strolled through parks hand-in-hand, she'd been a ten-year-old girl, his best friend's kid sister. Now? The thought made his skin crawl.

"About Isabelle—" he began, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock.

"Enter."

Oliver barged in, files in hand. "Mr. Blackwood, I've completed the investigation into Mrs. Carter's connection with Alexander Whitmore, along with the ties between the Whitmore and Kingsley families—" He froze upon seeing Julian. "Ah. My apologies."

Julian's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh don't stop on my account." He popped an orange slice into his mouth. "So you're spying on Evelyn now? Couldn't win her back fair and square?"

"Eat your damn fruit," Nathan growled, though his pulse betrayed him with an erratic thud.

"Why shouldn't I ask?" Julian chewed viciously. "I pursued Evelyn first, remember? You and Whitmore should both back off."

Nathan's eyes darkened with something primal. "And yet she married me." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "She'll never be yours."

"Big words for a divorced man." Julian nearly hurled the orange at Nathan's face. "If you're so great, why not chase her openly? What's with the sneaking around?"