Chapter 472

Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smirk. The icy mask she wore began to crack, revealing the irritation beneath.

A surge of anger heated her veins.

Nathan's blatant favoritism toward his ex-wife was signing Isabelle's social death warrant.

Why? Evelyn thought bitterly. A man like Nathan could have any woman he desired - someone as accomplished and stunning as me. Yet he still crawled back to that gold-digging ex he'd discarded.

And the audacity! Evelyn had men fawning over her - Julian Montgomery, that insignificant Alexander Whitmore, and countless others. Shouldn't that at least bother Nathan?

"I only cleared my schedule because I heard Mr. Montgomery was bringing his sister to apologize," Evelyn stated coolly, crossing her legs with practiced elegance. "You should understand - I'm not just the Monarch Group heiress. As Alexa, my design studio receives hundreds of meeting requests daily. I don't waste time on trivial matters... or irrelevant people."

She tossed her hair over one shoulder, the movement calculated. "Had I known Mr. Blackwood would be here, I wouldn't have bothered coming at all."

Nathan's face darkened. "Why?" he demanded, voice rough. "You'd rather spend time with Julian than see me?"

Julian raised an eyebrow, thinking: Well, this is awkward.

Even though Evelyn clearly preferred Julian's company, Nathan directed all his bitterness at him.

"I'll only meet under two conditions," Evelyn held up two perfectly manicured fingers. "Either it's personal... or business." She let the words hang. "Mr. Blackwood, we have neither. Why would I meet someone who's less than a stranger to me?"

The description cut deeper than any insult. Nathan wasn't even worth being called a stranger.

The pain flashing across Nathan's face was merely the surface of his turmoil.

Julian pressed his lips together, mildly consoled that at least he ranked above "stranger" status.

"Get to the point, Mr. Montgomery," Evelyn said, checking her diamond-encrusted watch. "I have a board meeting in forty minutes." Her stiletto-clad foot tapped impatiently, the signature red soles flashing like a warning. She looked every inch the untouchable ice queen from a fashion spread.

Nathan's gaze dropped to Evelyn's delicate ankles peeking beneath her tailored trousers.

His jaw tightened as his mouth went dry. He had to fight the urge to swallow hard.

How had he been so blind to let this woman go?

Now, every inch of her drove him to distraction.

Isabelle played the victim perfectly - pale lips trembling, eyes wide with feigned distress. The picture of innocence bullied by the cruel heiress.

"Ahem. Evelyn—I mean, Ms. Carter." Julian caught Evelyn's warning glance and corrected himself. "My sister and I came to formally apologize."

He continued carefully, watching Evelyn's reaction. "The necklace presented to Isabella Laurent at the auction was procured by my sister. She commissioned a forger in Valmont to replicate your design—"

"Oh, I knew that weeks ago." Evelyn waved a dismissive hand.

Both Montgomery siblings froze.

Nathan merely frowned. He wasn't surprised. Isabelle's amateur schemes stood no chance against Evelyn's resources.

"H-how?" Isabelle stammered, her carefully constructed composure cracking. "When did you find out?"

Evelyn's smile turned razor-sharp. "The day you contacted Tristan Moreau and paid him a small fortune to forge my design."

Isabelle's facade shattered. "What?!"

"I understand why you sought out Tristan," Evelyn continued, examining her nails. "I did train him, after all. You probably assumed he left my studio because we had a falling out." She tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement. "How provincial of you. Just because divorced couples can't be friends doesn't mean mentors and protégés can't maintain professional respect after parting ways."