Chapter 44

Nathan Blackwood finally swore before Reginald that he wouldn't interfere with the Sterling family's matters anymore, just to pacify the old man.

Nathan and Penelope left Crestview Manor with heavy hearts while Reginald stared at the wreckage in his study, fury burning in his gaze.

"Ugh! Those cunning women have you and your father completely under their spell!"

Dominic Kingsley knelt to collect the shattered porcelain fragments, his mind racing at lightning speed.

Had someone impersonated Sebastian in Valmont? But Leonard would recognize Sebastian immediately - they'd met numerous times before. Unless... was his father developing dementia?

His fingers brushed against an antique folding fan.

"Grandfather, does this belong to you?"

"Oh heavens! In my rage I nearly destroyed it. Bring it here at once."

Reginald's expression softened as he traced the delicate bamboo ribs. "Evelyn crafted this fan for me. The painting and calligraphy are all her original work."

Dominic had never known Evelyn possessed such artistic talents.

He stood frozen, utterly speechless.

During their marriage, he'd found Evelyn dull and overly compliant.

Compared to Victoria Sterling - who could master Chopin etudes, perform ballet, and sing opera - Evelyn had seemed like a simpleton. Sweet, gentle, and pretty perhaps, but otherwise indistinguishable from the household staff. That had been his unshakable opinion.

Yet after leaving him, she'd transformed into a dazzling gem - polished, multifaceted, radiating confidence. The revelation of her hidden talents struck him like a physical blow.

Had she deliberately hidden her brilliance because she believed Nathan unworthy? Reserved her true self only for Sebastian Kingsley?

What she'd shown Nathan wasn't love at all - just wifely duty, empty gestures to maintain peace.

Her heart had always belonged to Sebastian, hadn't it?

"Evelyn visited me every weekend without fail," Reginald continued wistfully. "Sometimes we'd stroll through the gardens, other times she'd sit with me in the study entire afternoons. Never once did that child show boredom. She'd simply read or practice calligraphy beside me. Her brushwork reveals at least a decade of disciplined training. The elegance in her strokes... the natural flow... it speaks of deep cultivation and noble upbringing."

Reginald sighed deeply. "She's infinitely superior to that pretentious Sterling girl. What a tragedy you were too blind to see it."

Nathan's lips pressed into a taut line as he unfolded the fan.

Two lines of exquisite calligraphy greeted him:

"Regret not the past, for time's river flows but one way."

Lightning seemed to course through Nathan's veins. His piercing gaze devoured the characters, bringing the fan closer for inspection.

This handwriting matched perfectly with the framed calligraphy in Evelyn Carter's office - the piece she'd offered to gift him.

Suddenly he remembered their encounter at Monarch Grand Hotel, where Evelyn served as managing director. The echo of her footsteps in the corridor after he'd left her office that day... Had Evelyn known "Evelyn" all along?

Could such coincidence exist?

Was it possible... that Evelyn Carter and Evelyn were the same person?

The notion seemed absurd.

His gentle, obedient ex-wife couldn't possibly be the shrewd, formidable Evelyn Carter... could she?

Meanwhile at Willow Creek Estate in Fairhaven, Sebastian Kingsley had just returned from his Valmont business trip. He and Dominic were dining with Harrison Kingsley.

Over roasted duck and vintage Bordeaux, Sebastian detailed his successful acquisition in Valmont. Harrison nodded approvingly, his aristocratic features betraying rare satisfaction.

My eldest son excels in every conceivable way, Harrison thought bitterly. Yet he insists on this ridiculous pastoral calling. No amount of power, prestige, or wealth can deter him from that clerical path. What madness drives him?

"Sebastian," Harrison remarked, swirling his wine, "it's unlike you to seize a project from Blackwood Industries so aggressively. Aren't you always preaching peace and reconciliation?"

"Peace remains fragile," Sebastian deflected smoothly, raising his water glass with elegant restraint.

Dominic suppressed a smirk. He knew perfectly well this was Sebastian's retaliation against Blackwood Industries on Evelyn's behalf.

"Business demands decisive action," Harrison declared, clapping Sebastian's shoulder with rare enthusiasm. "Within legal bounds, any tactic is fair game. You've done splendidly! Besides, Leonard Blackwood and I are sworn enemies. His grandfather humiliated my grandmother. Hmph! Revenge delayed is not revenge denied!"

Sebastian could only sigh in resignation.

Dominic chuckled inwardly. So we're not just inheriting a business empire, but generations-old vendettas against the Blackwoods too...