Chapter 492

The study was tense with the presence of Penelope and Cassandra.

Nathan had deliberately excluded Reginald from this meeting, knowing the old man had already chosen Evelyn's side in this conflict.

Father and son now stood on opposite battlefields.

Ever since Lillian's tragic suicide, the bond between Nathan and Leonard had been nothing more than a hollow title.

And now, their rift deepened further because of Evelyn Kingsley.

This was precisely the scenario Penelope had been orchestrating.

Only when the Blackwoods were divided could she maneuver through the chaos to claim her share of the family fortune.

From a broader perspective, no matter how powerful Nathan became, Leonard remained his father. Surely a son must yield to his father's authority?

"I summoned you here to deliver an announcement."

Leonard sat rigidly on the sofa before tossing a freshly printed document toward Nathan. "I've appointed Lawrence Pembroke as Blackwood Industries' chief legal counsel. The announcement goes out tomorrow morning. My signature alone suffices - no presidential approval required."

Penelope and Cassandra exchanged triumphant smirks.

"I oppose this decision," Nathan stated coldly.

"Your opposition is irrelevant," Leonard snapped. "Lawrence is exceptionally talented. Don't you understand the value of securing top legal talent?"

"You heard that conversation between Evelyn and Lawrence, didn't you?"

Nathan's lips curled in derision. "You'd hire a backstabbing, money-grubbing snake like that?"

"You insolent—!"

Leonard shot to his feet, momentarily dizzy from the abrupt movement. Penelope steadied him with false concern.

"Darling, don't agitate yourself!" she cooed, secretly reveling in the confrontation.

"The Kingsleys supported the Pembrokes during their darkest hour. Harrison Kingsley personally mentored Lawrence. Even Theodore works at Monarch Group now. Yet Lawrence repays their kindness with betrayal for personal gain." Nathan's gaze turned lethal. "Do you truly believe you can control such a viper? When someone offers him better terms tomorrow, whose side do you imagine he'll choose?"

"Nathan Blackwood! You're just protecting that Kingsley witch!"

No longer restraining himself, Leonard's face flushed crimson with rage. "You're defending her so fiercely - have you fallen for that scheming bitch?"

"What if I have?" Nathan replied coolly.

His heartbeat thundered in his chest like war drums.

Leonard froze as if struck by lightning.

Penelope and Cassandra gaped, unprepared for such a blunt admission.

They couldn't discern whether Nathan genuinely loved Evelyn or was simply defying his father.

After all, the only mistake in Nathan's impeccable life had been abandoning the perfect Evelyn Kingsley for Victoria Sterling.

"Nathan Blackwood! Do you think you can undo the past?" Leonard's voice cracked with fury, his eye twitching violently. "Even if you've fallen for Evelyn Kingsley, abandon that fantasy now! As long as I draw breath, I'll never permit you near that Kingsley witch! Had I known she was Harrison Kingsley's daughter, I'd never have allowed that marriage! She made fools of us for three years!"

Each word pierced Nathan's heart like poisoned arrows.

Rage ignited in Nathan's eyes, his pupils contracting into lethal slits.

In one fluid motion, he seized the crystal ashtray and hurled it to the marble floor.

CRASH!

"Ah!"

Leonard flinched while the women shrieked.

Shards exploded across the study like glittering shrapnel.

Several fragments sliced through Penelope's designer dress and arm.

Blood welled from the cuts, her face twisting between shock and fury.

"Evelyn committed no crimes. What right have you to speak of her this way?"

Nathan's voice burned with barely contained violence, his fists clenched white-knuckled.

"What wrong did she commit by marrying me? How did she wrong our family during those three years? I failed her. Our entire family failed her! Cross this line again - even you - and I won't show mercy."

That gaze...