Chapter 416

The night stretched endlessly outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of Nathan's study. He sat motionless in his leather armchair, swirling a crystal glass of burgundy liquid.

The wine glass had been a gift from Evelyn months ago - an exquisite Baroque-style piece she'd chosen personally. The delicate chime it made when tapped betrayed its superior quality.

Nathan's fingers tightened around the stem. Had Evelyn imagined their relationship would last forever when she gave him this? The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth that even the finest Bordeaux couldn't mask.

A sharp knock interrupted his brooding. Oliver entered, clutching a manila folder with the urgency of a man bearing vital intelligence.

"I've compiled everything on Vivian Prescott, Mr. Blackwood." Oliver's voice brimmed with confidence. "Down to her grandparents' burial plots. Nothing was overlooked."

After Evelyn's harsh words, Oliver had thrown himself into this investigation with unusual fervor, determined to redeem himself in Nathan's eyes.

"Scan the documents and forward them to Ms. Kingsley." Nathan continued studying the wine's hypnotic swirl under the lamplight.

Oliver hesitated. "Shall I have them delivered to the young madam personally?"

"Email will suffice." Nathan's gaze turned glacial. "Anonymously."

Oliver blinked. "But why—"

"Because," Nathan cut him off, his voice dangerously quiet, "if she sees it's from Blackwood Industries, she'll delete it unread."

The vibrating phone on the coffee table saved Oliver from further questions. Nathan glanced at the screen - Julian Montgomery requesting a video call.

Nathan accepted with a raised eyebrow. "This had better be important."

Julian's ashen face filled the screen, hospital sheets stark white behind him. The blue-tiled walls confirmed Nathan's suspicion - the emergency ward at Kingsley Medical Center.

"Nathan...I'm dying," Julian groaned, his usually vibrant features twisted in agony.

"My condolences." Nathan's expression remained impassive.

"Your sister—" Julian gasped, clutching his IV-laden arm as another wave of pain hit. "Eleanor...does she know anything about poisons?"

Nathan's lips twitched despite himself. Julian sounded like a woman in labor.

"She baked me this godforsaken blueberry mousse," Julian continued between moans. "Ate the whole damn thing. Tasted off, but what was I supposed to do? Refuse?" He shuddered. "Now I've been puking my guts out for six hours straight. Doctors say it's severe food poisoning."

Even the toughest men had their breaking points. Watching Julian writhe in hospital sheets, Nathan decided his sister's baking might qualify as a war crime.