Chapter 374

Nathan's voice was low with warning. "Penelope is cunning and manipulative. I'm concerned she might target you, so I came to warn you personally."

Evelyn turned away, her expression carefully blank. "That's all you wanted to say? Don't let me keep you from your work."

He studied the rigid line of her shoulders for a long moment before turning to leave.

"Wait." Her voice stopped him mid-step.

His pulse jumped as he turned back.

"Why tell me this?" Evelyn's gaze was sharp with suspicion. "You understand the stakes better than anyone. Any Blackwood Industries executive could gain prestige by securing Isabella's endorsement. That was always your plan."

She crossed her arms. "So why change tactics now?"

"I want you to win."

Nathan's eyes held rare sincerity - a startling sight from a man hardened by a decade in cutthroat business.

Her laugh was bitter. "We were married for three years and you treated me like furniture. Now that we're divorced, you suddenly care about loyalty?" She gestured toward the door. "Don't let the doorknob hit you on the way out, Mr. Blackwood."

The dismissal stung just as sharply as the first time.

At the Montgomery estate, Isabelle summoned Cassandra to her private music room after nightfall.

The heavy oak door clicked shut behind them.

"What's so urgent?" Cassandra asked, perching on a velvet settee.

Isabelle's fingers hovered over the grand piano. "Five days since Monarch Grand Hotels announced their partnership with Isabella. Still no plan to deal with that gold-digging social climber?"

Cassandra's nose wrinkled at the condescending tone. "Rome wasn't built in a day, Isabelle. These things require—"

"Tsk. Pathetic." Isabelle lifted the piano lid with a flourish and retrieved a manila folder. It landed at Cassandra's feet with a slap.

Biting back her pride, Cassandra picked it up. The dossier contained a photo of a sharp-featured woman with piercing eyes.

"Vivian Prescott? Who's she?"

"A reporter for Spotlight News." Isabelle played a discordant chord. "Small-time gossip rag. But look at her family background."

Cassandra scanned the pages, then gasped. "Vincent Prescott... former VP of Monarch Grand Hotels? The one Evelyn sent to prison for embezzlement?"

Isabelle's smile was feline. "Exactly. Two years behind bars thanks to your dear sister-in-law. I'd say Miss Prescott has quite the axe to grind."

The pieces clicked together. Cassandra's eyes gleamed with malicious understanding. "And as a journalist, she'd have the perfect platform to destroy Evelyn's reputation."

Isabelle's laughter filled the room as her fingers danced across the keys in a triumphant arpeggio.