Chapter 420

Evelyn tilted her head, resting her elbow on the desk with a knowing smirk. "How do you think she managed to get close to you so fast? She miraculously discovered the contract's loophole. Do you honestly believe she could pull that off alone?"

Julian Whitmore's shoulders shook with silent sobs, his face buried in his hands.

He didn't regret destroying his career. What gutted him was realizing Vivian Prescott had played him from the start - the woman he'd foolishly believed was his soulmate.

"Ms. Carter... I'll tell you everything."

Under Evelyn's relentless interrogation, Julian confessed how Vivian had instructed him to steal Monarch Group's trade secrets.

Theodore Winslow documented every damning admission.

Though Julian was taken into custody, his arrest wasn't made public. As Monarch Grand Hotels' legal consultant, Theodore filed charges for corporate espionage quietly.

With the pawn captured, it was time to confront the queen.

Evelyn surveyed her immaculate desk with amusement. "A thief with manners. I should thank him for tidying up after rifling through my things."

Theodore frowned. "Ms. Carter, you still haven't explained—"

"Nathan sent the photos."

Theodore's eyebrows shot up. "Nathan Blackwood? Our competitor? Why would he help you?"

"Probably furious that Penelope and Cassandra stole his Westridge project." Evelyn's lips curled. "He's using me to get back at Cassandra."

Her mind flashed to that night in Cliffside Manor when Nathan had gently dried her hair. She scoffed, pushing away the memory. "I'd sooner believe in ghosts than think that man has my best interests at heart. Sending anonymous emails? Please. Did he really think I wouldn't recognize his handiwork?"

The Hacking Princess didn't earn her title by accident.

"Now that we've dealt with our mole, how do you plan to handle Vivian Gordon?" Theodore asked warily. "Even with Julian's testimony, we lack concrete evidence against her."

Evelyn's eyes glinted dangerously at the compromising photos on her screen. "Send these to the director's wife."

"The woman holds a black belt in taekwondo, Ms. Carter," Theodore noted with interest.

"Perfect. She's got a live practice dummy now." Evelyn reached into Theodore's pocket, fishing for chocolate. "I dealt with her father. Let someone else handle the daughter."

"Otherwise I'd be the villainous tycoon from daytime dramas."

Theodore trapped her wandering hand against his jacket. "Easy on the sweets, Ms. Carter. Your dentist will revolt."

Meanwhile at Blackwood Industries, Nathan remained in his office well past working hours, awaiting Ian's update.

When Ian finally arrived, his excitement was palpable. "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Carter has apprehended the spy in her company. He's in custody now."

Nathan exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. "Good."

"Do you think she used the information you provided?"

"It doesn't matter if she did." Nathan's expression remained unreadable. "I merely gave her an optional advantage."

"I have every confidence she could've handled it alone."

He'd consistently underestimated his ex-wife.

Nathan used to consider Evelyn a dull, unremarkable housewife whose sole talent was cooking.

Now he recognized his own staggering blindness.