Chapter 405

Evelyn didn't even have time to dry her hair.

She threw on a cashmere coat over her silk nightgown and sped toward Monarch Grand Hotel in her Bugatti. Water droplets still clung to her dark locks, leaving damp trails down her back.

Her mind raced the entire drive.

After months of silence, she finally tapped Nathan's name in her contacts—the first time she'd initiated contact since their divorce.

Nathan was currently in Serenia, a neighboring city two hundred kilometers from Crestview.

He'd recently purchased land there to develop a luxury hot spring retreat, still under construction.

At that moment, Nathan and Oliver stood on-site, yellow hard hats secured as they reviewed blueprints under the glow of construction lights.

Just as Oliver adjusted the flashlight for Nathan, his phone buzzed.

Nathan frowned, pulling it out with chilled fingers.

Evelyn Carter.

Her name blazed across the screen like starlight piercing through darkness.

His breath caught.

His pulse hammered so violently he feared Oliver might hear it. The phone nearly slipped from his unsteady grip.

"Oh! It's Mrs. Blackwood!" Oliver whispered excitedly.

"I see that. Control yourself," Nathan muttered, though his own composure was crumbling.

His numb fingers betrayed him—he accidentally declined the call.

Nathan's stomach dropped. He cursed his traitorous hands.

A second later, Evelyn called again.

"Hello." His voice came out rougher than intended.

"Finally decided to answer?" Evelyn's melodic voice carried its signature mocking lilt.

"Always." The word held more weight than he intended.

"Spare me the act, Mr. Blackwood. Three years of marriage taught me all your tells. This isn't even the first time you've hung up on me."

Nathan blinked. "When have I ever—"

"Not interested in revisiting history." Her tone turned glacial. "I'm calling because your best friend needs a funeral arranged."

Nathan's blood ran cold. "Julian? What did he do?"

"If he'd actually succeeded, he'd already be six feet under! It's Eleanor!"

Evelyn's voice shook with fury. "Julian got her drunk and checked into my hotel with her. My assistant witnessed everything."

"What?"

Nathan's grip tightened on the phone. "Julian wouldn't—"

"Of course you'd defend him," Evelyn scoffed. "Birds of a feather."

"Evelyn—"

"I'm heading to Monarch Grand now. If that bastard hasn't crossed the final line, I might let him keep his dignity intact. Barely."

Her next words came clipped and precise. "I'll contain the scandal, but Eleanor's reputation is at stake. Get here immediately. I'll extract her—you handle damage control. And Nathan?"

A beat of silence.

"Don't bring anyone else into this."

The line went dead.

Nathan stared at the darkened screen, an odd pang striking his chest.

Memories surfaced—Evelyn inventing trivial reasons to call during their marriage. Back then, he'd found it irritating yet endearing. Had he ever actually hung up on her?

"Emergency in Crestview. I need to leave now."

Oliver gaped. "This instant?"

"Evelyn's already en route. She'll protect Eleanor, but I need to handle the fallout." Nathan's jaw clenched. "Isn't there a helicopter at Blackwood Galleria's helipad?"

"Yes, but at this hour—"

Nathan was already striding toward the exit. "I'll fly it myself."

Midnight shadows swallowed Crestview whole.