Chapter 51

The night before, Evelyn had secretly arranged to meet Vincent Prescott at a dimly lit whiskey bar downtown. He was already three drinks deep when she slid into the booth across from him.

"I have information you need to hear," she said, swirling the ice in her untouched bourbon. "Damian plans to sacrifice you at tomorrow's press conference to save himself."

Vincent's glass slammed onto the table. "Bullshit! I'm not some pawn in your little game. I won't testify!"

Evelyn's crimson nails tapped against crystal. "Your stubbornness will be your downfall."

After hours of tense negotiation, they reached an agreement.

"Let me be clear," Evelyn leaned forward, her emerald eyes sharp. "I have proof of your collusion with Damian. The only reason it hasn't reached the prosecutors yet is out of respect for my father - the man who promoted you from banquet supervisor to VP."

Vincent's hands trembled as he remembered his twenty-year climb up Monarch Group's corporate ladder. Without Harrison Kingsley's mentorship, he'd still be arranging centerpieces.

Now, drowning in regret, he stared at the damning files Evelyn produced.

"Here's the deal," she continued. "If Damian doesn't throw you under the bus tomorrow as I predict, I'll personally deliver this evidence. But if he does... you'll testify against him. Cooperate, and I'll ensure you get Monarch's top legal team."

The trap was set.

As Evelyn left the bar, she recalled her father's wisdom: "Always leave your enemies an escape route." Even with victory in sight, she wouldn't deliver the final blow herself.

Meanwhile, Dominic Kingsley returned to the District Attorney's office to prepare the case, while Evelyn headed back to her hotel.

In the car, Theodore suddenly gripped the wheel tighter. "Ms. Carter, we've got company - a Maybach tailing us since we left the courthouse. Should I call security?"

Evelyn glanced at the rearview mirror, her pulse quickening when she recognized Nathan Blackwood's distinctive car. So he'd been watching the press conference from the shadows. How very... protective of his precious fiancée's family.

"Change of plans," she smirked. "Take me to Starlight River."

"But the tail—"

"Relax, Teddy. I'll keep you safe." Her wink made the bodyguard blush.

As the Bugatti cruised along the riverbank, Oliver Sinclair white-knuckled the Maybach's steering wheel, more nervous than during his Harvard finals or Nathan's brutal CEO interviews.

Nathan's icy gaze never left Evelyn's silhouette. Who was this man driving her? An amateur - any competent driver would've lost them by now.

Through the window, he watched strands of Evelyn's raven hair dance in the wind. Something primal stirred in his chest.

The cars eventually stopped at a scenic overlook.

Evelyn stepped out alone, leaning against the railing as the sunset painted the river gold. When Nathan emerged from his car, adjusting his suit with that effortless aristocratic grace, the fading light sculpted his broad shoulders like a Renaissance masterpiece.

He approached silently until Evelyn spoke without turning. "Following me all the way from the courthouse, Mr. Blackwood? Should I expect another broken arm?"

"Nathan," he corrected coldly, though his eyes betrayed concern as they flickered to her left arm.

"Did you bring the divorce papers this time?" She finally faced him, scarlet lips curling. "It's getting late, but I'm sure Sebastian could pull strings at City Hall for us."

"You must be enjoying this," Nathan growled, closing the distance between them.

"Enjoying what?"

"Using the Kingsley brothers to destroy the Sterlings. I never imagined you could be this ruthless."

The river breeze carried Evelyn's mocking laughter. "Oh darling, you haven't seen ruthless yet."