Chapter 45

"How is Evelyn doing in Crestview these days?" Harrison Kingsley's voice carried a sharp edge as he swirled his wineglass. "She's dead set on taking down Sterling Corporation. But if she's not careful, she'll make enemies. With Donovan and Maxwell away, it's up to you two to watch over her. Understood?" His piercing gaze left no room for argument.

"Of course, Father."

Sebastian nodded, his expression unreadable.

Dominic smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry. Anyone who dares lay a finger on our little sister will regret being born."

Harrison's lips curled into a cold smile. "No need for bloodshed. Just ensure they suffer enough to wish they were dead." He took another measured sip of wine, the candlelight casting shadows across his sharp features.

After dinner, Harrison and Sebastian departed.

As they prepared to leave, Dominic noticed Sebastian’s phone buzzing on the table.

The caller ID flashed: Nathan Blackwood.

Dominic’s eyes darkened. He snatched up the phone, cleared his throat, and answered with deliberate calm.

"What do you want, Mr. Blackwood?"

"I need to speak with Evelyn Carter." Nathan’s arrogant tone made Dominic’s blood boil.

Dominic scoffed. "You’ve lost your damn mind. Why the hell would Evelyn take your call?"

A beat of silence. Then Nathan’s voice dropped dangerously low. "Sebastian?"

Dominic smirked, knowing Nathan had caught on—but he wasn’t about to admit it. "If you’re drunk and lonely, call your fiancée. I don’t have time for this."

"Sebastian," Nathan growled, "if you want revenge for Evelyn, face me directly. Don’t hide behind underhanded schemes."

Dominic barked a laugh. "Oh, the irony. Who started playing dirty first? Or have you forgotten how you and your precious Victoria ruined Evelyn?" His grip tightened on the phone. "If you want to beg for mercy, do it properly. But let me be clear—even if you grovel at my feet, I won’t stop until every last one of you pays for what you did."

He ended the call before Nathan could respond.

Across town, Nathan sat frozen in his study, knuckles white around his phone. The screen had gone dark, but the fury in his chest burned hotter than ever.

"Mr. Blackwood!" Oliver Sinclair rushed in, then hesitated at the sight of his boss’s thunderous expression.

"What?" Nathan snapped.

Oliver swallowed hard. "I—I followed your orders. Harrison Kingsley’s first wife had five children. Aside from Sebastian, the others’ records are heavily encrypted. We couldn’t break through."

Nathan’s eyes turned glacial. "Then try harder."

Oliver paled. "Should I… resign tomorrow?"

Nathan didn’t answer.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had just finished a long, luxurious bath. Wrapped in a plush white robe, she padded downstairs, her damp hair curling at the ends.

"Theodore," she called, spotting her secretary by the wine cabinet. "What are you still doing in a full suit? It’s past nine."

Theodore Winslow turned, concern flashing across his handsome face. "Ms. Carter, you’re injured. You should rest. Just tell me what you need."

Evelyn waved him off. "I’m fine. And for heaven’s sake, loosen up. This isn’t the office. Change into something comfortable."

Theodore hesitated.

Evelyn sighed. "Seeing you like this makes me feel like I’m still at work. It’s exhausting."

There was another reason, too—one she’d never admit.

Theodore’s crisp suits reminded her of him.

Nathan Blackwood, her ex-husband, the man who’d barely spared her a glance in three years of marriage. Always immaculate, always distant. Even at home, he’d only ever traded his suit for dark silk pajamas.

Cold. Restrained. Infuriatingly perfect.

Only Evelyn knew the fire hidden beneath that icy exterior.

"Ms. Carter?" Theodore’s voice snapped her back to reality.

She blinked. "Hmm?"

"You’re… blushing."

Evelyn touched her cheeks, startled by the heat.

Damn it.

Not again.