Chapter 41

Nathan's jaw clenched with barely contained rage. He wanted to say more, but Evelyn's warning glare silenced him instantly.

"What?! I'm going to make that bastard pay for hurting you!"

Theodore's fists balled in fury, ready to confront Nathan, but Evelyn stopped him with a gentle touch. "Don't. You can't win against him. He served in the peacekeeping forces - you'd just end up as his punching bag."

"Besides," she added, wincing as she adjusted her sling, "he didn't mean to dislocate my shoulder. He's always been careless with his strength. Some things never change."

"Ms. Carter," Theodore frowned, "you speak as if you've known him for years."

Evelyn froze, crimson lips pressing into a thin line. The silence stretched uncomfortably.

Theodore didn't know about her past with Nathan. It wasn't intentional deception - just exhaustion from explaining complicated history. That chapter was closed anyway, with no intention of reopening it.

Back at the villa, Dominic prepared coffee while muttering curses about "that Blackwood jinx."

"I'm sorry, Dom." Evelyn's lashes fluttered guiltily.

"What? Why are you apologizing to me?" Dominic's brows shot up. He reached to feel her forehead. "Are you running a fever? What nonsense is this?"

"It's just... I feel bad for dragging you into my mess." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "With Sebastian away in Valmont, you're the only one I could ask. I don't want you to think I'm using you as... as some prop."

Dominic's expression softened. He pulled her into a careful embrace, mindful of her injury. "Silly girl, that's what brothers are for."

"Mom had us four first precisely so we could protect you." He chuckled. "Next time you get married, we'll all walk you down the aisle!"

Then, realizing his blunder, he quickly amended, "Not that you need to marry at all! We'll always have your back, princess. Consider us your personal knights for life."

Evelyn's lips twitched. "Walk me down the aisle? At that rate, I might as well take vows of celibacy."

Meanwhile, Nathan's foul mood darkened the boardroom. The afternoon's meetings passed in a blur - executives' reports falling on deaf ears. His split lip and thunderous expression discouraged any questions.

Though technically Gregory Blackwood's illegitimate son, Nathan commanded absolute respect at Blackwood Industries. Gregory's legitimate heir remained wheelchair-bound in Regarton, his health deteriorating. The two daughters from Gregory's second wife Penelope showed no business acumen.

This left Nathan as undisputed successor - his competence silencing early opposition.

"Mr. Blackwood," a senior manager ventured nervously, "the Walter Group hotel in the western suburbs... it's been acquired."

"By whom?" Nathan's focus snapped back like a whip.

"Monarch Group. Walter transferred it to them. It'll become the second Monarch Grand Hotel in Crestview."

Nathan's body tensed, eyes turning stormy. "Why wasn't I informed sooner?"

"We were finalizing negotiations when Ms. Kingsley from Monarch intercepted the deal. Completely unexpected, sir." The manager paled.

"Finalizing? Sounds like you're ready for retirement." Nathan's voice dropped dangerously. "I explicitly said that location is strategic - six hundred meters from the future Universal Studios site. I wanted it secured at any cost."

"But your team hesitated. Now Monarch reaps the benefits." His glare could freeze lava. "Pack for Fenns branch next week. Another failure, and not even your decade of service will save you."

Nathan stormed out, leaving shell-shocked executives in his wake. Today's temper was exceptional even for him.

During the drive to Cliffside Manor, Oliver kept stealing uneasy glances at the rearview mirror. "Sir, after Ms. Sterling attacked Mrs. Blackwood, we severed all Gold family contracts and exposed their product defects. Was this... part of your plan? Not that they didn't deserve it—"

Nathan's sharp gaze cut him off mid-sentence. Oliver nearly choked.

"Pull over at that tailor shop ahead."