Chapter 355

The grand ballroom buzzed with life, the banquet in full swing. Yet the atmosphere had shifted noticeably since Evelyn Carter's dramatic exit with Isabella Wang.

The guests' excitement dimmed, their whispers filling the air like a quiet storm.

Zoe Montgomery had arrived tonight with one goal—to shine in front of an international superstar. She had dressed to perfection, rehearsed her lines, and waited for her moment.

Now, with Isabella gone, her stage had vanished. All her meticulous preparations had been for nothing.

This is all Evelyn's fault! Zoe seethed.

Outside the banquet hall, Nathan Blackwood stood motionless by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his presence as cold as the night air. His gaze remained fixed on the spot where the Rolls-Royce had disappeared, his breathing heavy, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Mr. Blackwood," Oliver Sinclair hesitated before speaking, wiping sweat from his brow. "I hate to say it, but it seems Ms. Carter has outmaneuvered us. The trending topics are all about Monarch Group now. And the news of her taking Isabella Wang away has already spread. Even the chairman knows."

He swallowed hard before continuing. "People are questioning Blackwood Hotel's capabilities. They're saying we shouldn't have taken on an event we couldn't handle. Some are even doubting if our standards have declined."

Evelyn's calculated move had worked flawlessly. She had left no room for retaliation.

Nathan watched the distant taillights until they vanished completely. His voice was rough when he finally spoke. "Why the sudden change? You used to call her 'Young Madam.'"

Oliver inhaled sharply, looking flustered. "I call her Ms. Carter when she's acting against you. 'Young Madam' is reserved for when she's not."

Nathan exhaled, his expression unreadable. "It's just a title. Call her what you want." His gaze darkened. "Besides, I'm not upset. Evelyn has always been like this, hasn't she?"

Oliver blinked in surprise. Every time Nathan clashed with Evelyn, he'd been visibly furious. But tonight, after such a public humiliation, he was eerily calm.

Does Mr. Blackwood have some hidden masochistic streak? Oliver wondered.

Every guest had been carefully vetted, the security system airtight. So how had Evelyn slipped in unnoticed? Nathan couldn't shake the question.

"Um... I heard there was a brief malfunction in the surveillance system just before Ms. Carter entered," Oliver admitted. "But the equipment was serviced recently. It shouldn't have failed so quickly. We suspect a cyberattack—maybe a virus."

"A hacker?" Nathan's brow furrowed.

Could Evelyn have orchestrated this? Does she have that kind of skill? Or did her brother Sebastian intervene again?

"Nathan!" A sweet voice shattered his thoughts. Zoe rushed toward him, her face flushed with indignation. His frown deepened as she approached.

"Evelyn is outrageous! How dare she take Isabella away right in front of you? It's like she wants to humiliate you!" Zoe stomped her foot, seizing the chance to vent. "She clearly doesn't respect you at all!"

She knew men like Nathan—powerful, proud—couldn't stand having their authority challenged.

But his response drained the color from her face.

"You barely know her," Nathan said coolly. "Evelyn has always been like this. She never cared about my position."

"Nathan, what are you saying?"

"It doesn't bother me. I don't mind."

His icy gaze locked onto her, displeasure flickering in his eyes. "Ms. Montgomery, I find your behavior tonight... puzzling."

The formal address—Ms. Montgomery—hit her like a slap. She froze, her breath catching.

Is he... distancing himself from me?

"This is the Blackwoods' banquet, and I was present," he continued. "Regardless, it wasn't your place to speak for my family."

"But Nathan, I was just trying to help you!"

Her voice trembled with panic as she clutched his arm. "Are we really going to let that wicked woman ruin your event, steal your guest, and turn the Blackwoods into a laughingstock in Crestview? She's too arrogant! Why does she think she can act like this? Just because she's your ex-wife?"

The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them.

Nathan's expression darkened. "I've been married. That's no secret. But who told you Evelyn is my ex-wife?"

"Julian did!" she lied hastily.

Nathan's voice turned dangerously soft. "Cassandra told you, didn't she?"

Zoe bit her lip, too afraid to answer.