Chapter 4

Five days later, Nathan Blackwood summoned his secretary, Oliver Sinclair, to his office after breakfast.

"Did you uncover anything new about Evelyn?"

The man stood facing the floor-to-ceiling window, his imposing silhouette casting a shadow over the glittering skyline of Crestview. His broad shoulders and towering frame radiated an aura of unshakable authority.

Oliver wiped his brow nervously. "I'm sorry, Mr. Blackwood. There's been no progress."

After the young Mrs. Blackwood left that night, she hadn’t returned to the nursing home where she used to work. I personally went to Fairhaven, her supposed hometown, but the address she gave was fabricated. The Carter family doesn’t exist there."

Nathan spun around abruptly, his dark eyes flashing with fury. "The address was fake?"

"Yes. I even checked with the local authorities, but they found no records matching her description."

Oliver had referred to Evelyn as "Mrs. Blackwood" for three years, and breaking the habit wasn’t easy.

Nathan’s mind reeled. Who the hell did I marry? A ghost?

"She left with Sebastian Kingsley that night. Did you find anything through him?"

"If Mr. Kingsley is determined to hide her, we won’t uncover anything easily."

The words hide her made Nathan’s jaw tighten.

"Sebastian Kingsley has always been a man of principle. Why would he steal my wife?"

"Well… technically, it’s not stealing. More like… inheriting the mess you left behind."

Nathan’s glare could have shattered glass. Oliver swallowed hard, instantly regretting his choice of words.

The memory of Sebastian shielding Evelyn that night burned in Nathan’s mind. The way Sebastian looked at her—protective, possessive—was unmistakable.

It shouldn’t have bothered him. But it did.

How had his dull, obedient wife ensnared a man like Sebastian Kingsley? The man was infamous in elite circles for his icy detachment. So why had he stepped in for her?

Nathan recalled Evelyn’s plea the night they signed the divorce papers.

"Nathan, can’t we stay married? Because I love you!"

Lies. All of it. His fingers curled into fists.

The more he dwelled on it, the hotter his anger burned.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the desk.

Nathan glanced at the screen—Victoria Sterling. He answered immediately.

"Victoria, what is it?"

"Nathan, I’m in your lobby. Can you escort me up? I made your favorite pastries, and I want you to try them while they’re still warm."

Her saccharine tone made Oliver suppress a shudder.

"You’re here?" Nathan frowned.

"Yes. Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see me?"

"Of course I am. I’ll send someone down."

After hanging up, Nathan exhaled sharply.

The divorce wasn’t finalized yet, and the news hadn’t gone public. Victoria showing up now could stir unnecessary rumors—even if he could handle the fallout.

His phone buzzed again.

Nathan’s stomach dropped when he saw the caller ID.

"Yes, Grandfather?"

"You insolent brat!" Reginald Blackwood’s roar crackled through the speaker. "Did you forget everything I told you? You swore you’d cut ties with that Sterling girl after marrying Evelyn! And now you’re parading her around your office? I don’t care about your reputation—think about how Evelyn would feel! Get your ass over here NOW!"

The air in the Blackwood estate’s study was thick with tension.

Reginald sat stiffly in his chair, his cane gripped like a weapon. His face was stormy, his breathing uneven. Beside him, Leonard Blackwood—Nathan’s father—shot his son a warning look.

Nathan stood rigidly before them. Victoria had been barred from entering. "That scheming viper isn’t welcome under my roof," Reginald had snarled.

"Explain yourself!" Reginald slammed his cane down.

Leonard intervened quickly. "Father, please, your blood pressure—"

"Grandfather, our three-year contract ended," Nathan said coolly. "You promised me—marry Evelyn for three years, and after that, the choice was mine. I’ve chosen to end it."

Reginald paled as if struck.

Evelyn had been his daily companion for three years. Her absence had left a void he hadn’t realized until now.

Nathan continued, indifferent. "I’m divorcing her to be with the woman I love. Evelyn already signed the papers. It’s done."

"Done?!" Reginald shot up, trembling. "You’re throwing her away like some used toy?"

Leonard steadied him. "Father, they’ve only signed the papers. The divorce isn’t finalized yet. Calm down—your health—"

"Damn it! I already have a worthless daughter-in-law. Must I lose the only granddaughter-in-law I actually liked?"

Nathan flinched. Leonard sighed, caught in the crossfire.

"I want Evelyn back! Find her! I can’t eat, I can’t sleep—I won’t accept anyone else!" Reginald’s voice cracked with uncharacteristic vulnerability.

Leonard shot Nathan a pointed look. "Call her. Bring her here."

Nathan shook his head. "It’s pointless, Grandfather. Even if I drag her back now, our marriage is over."

He needed to sever this cleanly. Time would fade his grandfather’s attachment.

Reginald’s knees buckled.

Nathan and Leonard lunged forward just as the old man collapsed.

Panic surged as they called for the doctor. Nathan, desperate, dialed Evelyn’s number—only to hear the automated reply: "The number you have dialed is no longer in service."

She’d vanished. Erased herself completely.

Nathan’s vision burned red. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.

Meanwhile, at Monarch Grand Hotel, executives gathered at the entrance, awaiting their new general manager.

"Rumor has it she’s young. A woman."

"Another sacrificial lamb. Four managers couldn’t turn this place around. What makes her think she can?"

"Word is she’s Harrison Kingsley’s daughter."

"Probably some illegitimate child he’s dumping here to fail. Why else send her to this disaster?"

Snickers rippled through the crowd.

"She’s here!"

A sleek Rolls-Royce glided to a stop, followed by a convoy of Maybachs. The license plate—9999—silenced the murmurs instantly.

A stiletto-clad foot stepped out first.

Then, the woman herself.

Tall, poised, with raven hair cascading over her shoulders, she surveyed the crowd with piercing eyes that made them shrink back.

"Good morning," she said, her voice smooth as velvet.

A smile curved her lips—sharp, knowing.

"I’m your new general manager. And no, I’m not illegitimate. Sorry to disappoint."

The gossiping employees froze, sweat beading on their brows.

Minutes earlier, from the car, Evelyn had hacked into the hotel’s surveillance cameras.

She’d heard every word.