Chapter 388

I owe her for these three years.

Nathan Blackwood exhaled sharply, his dark lashes casting shadows over his downcast eyes. I'll spend the rest of my life making amends.

Every single day.

That evening, Sebastian and Dominic Kingsley abandoned their pressing schedules and raced to Cliffside Manor upon hearing about the collapsed partnership with Isabella Laurent.

In the study, Dominic's fingers flew across the keyboard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he traced the digital footprints of the anonymous accounts Evelyn had provided.

Meanwhile, Evelyn lounged elegantly on the velvet sofa, clinking crystal glasses with Sebastian while savoring the rare Bordeaux he'd brought from his private collection.

"Honestly, aren't you two being utterly shameless?"

Dominic hadn't even paused to drink water in hours. His jaw tightened. "I'm breaking my back here while you two enjoy vintage wine. Since when did bullying a federal prosecutor become acceptable family entertainment?"

When neither sibling showed remorse, Dominic whined pitifully, "At least save me a glass!"

"Work faster and I'll gift you the entire wine cellar," Evelyn teased, swirling her drink. "Three hundred bottles of temptation. Consider it... professional encouragement."

"Pfft! I'm a law-abiding civil servant!" Dominic smacked the keyboard dramatically. "Your corruption attempts are pathetic."

"Evelyn, Father knows about the situation," Sebastian mentioned casually, watching her reaction.

"Of course Harrison would hear immediately." Evelyn set down her glass, tucking her legs beneath her. "Sitting in his ivory tower, waiting for me to fail, no doubt."

"Actually, he laughed."

Sebastian's lips curved as he pinched her sulking cheek. "His exact words: 'Why would my lioness care about such trivial prey? Has the world run out of worthy adversaries?'"

Evelyn blinked.

"Oh, and Father mentioned Isabella's starring role in Eternal Requiem's eighth season." Sebastian leaned closer, eyes glinting. "The producers begged him to invest. He said if you're truly upset, he could have her replaced tomorrow."

Evelyn gasped. Since when did her father have Hollywood connections? The old fox's influence knew no bounds!

"Ahem. Unnecessary." Evelyn shook her head. "We breached contract first. Isabella did nothing wrong - let's not destroy careers over bruised egos."

She sighed, twirling a loose curl. "Besides, I chose independence. Solving problems with family power defeats the purpose. The only proper satisfaction comes from uncovering the conspirators and... handling them personally."

"Spoken like a true Kingsley." Sebastian's proud gaze warmed. "An eye for an eye, darling."

Evelyn could burn the world if she wished. Her brothers would happily provide the matches.

Just then, her phone vibrated on the marble coffee table.

Evelyn glanced sideways. Her delicate fingers stilled.

Nathan Blackwood's name glared from the screen like an accusation.

"Your ex-husband calls," Sebastian sing-songed, swirling his wine.

"Ugh. Blocked numbers should stay blocked." Evelyn flipped the phone face-down.

Suddenly, Theodore burst in, expression tense.

"Ms. Evelyn, Nathan Blackwood is at the gates!"

As if on cue, the doorbell chimed.