Chapter 61

Oliver Sinclair pressed both hands over his mouth, his shoulders shaking violently as he struggled to contain his laughter. His face turned crimson from the effort.

Nathan Blackwood felt a sharp pang of irritation in his chest. His voice was ice when he spoke. "Evelyn Carter and I have no future together. I would never stoop so low as to retract the divorce papers."

Julian Montgomery merely shrugged, deciding not to call out his friend's obvious lie. He smoothly changed the subject.

"Any particular items catching your eye at tonight's auction?"

"That antique mahogany armchair."

Nathan needed it for his grandfather Reginald's upcoming birthday celebration.

"Excellent choice!" Julian grinned. "Shall I discourage other bidders from competing?"

"Unnecessary."

Nathan shook his head slightly. "This is a charity event. If fate intends the chair for me, no one can take it. Forcing the outcome would ruin the sport of it."

The two imposing figures strode into the grand ballroom, making their way to the coveted front row seats reserved for Crestview's most elite. Their arrival immediately drew every eye in the room.

Society ladies fanned themselves, cheeks flushing pink.

"Mr. Blackwood is absolutely divine! He's everything I've ever dreamed of!"

"Dream elsewhere, darling. Haven't you heard? He's engaged to marry Victoria Sterling."

"That tacky furniture heiress? Good heavens! The Sterlings aren't fit to polish his shoes! Has the man gone blind?"

"Victoria's been his childhood sweetheart. He divorced his wife specifically to marry her. Do you really think you stand a chance against that?"

"Poor ex-wife... And have you seen how that Sterling girl flaunts herself? I give the marriage two years at most!"

Nathan sat with effortless elegance, his cold demeanor creating an invisible barrier. His gaze drifted sideways, landing on the name card across the aisle: Sebastian Kingsley.

His lips pressed into a thin line.

"Don't blame me," Julian whispered. "My grandfather personally arranged these seating charts weeks ago. This row represents Crestview's power hierarchy - even your stepmother Penelope and those airhead half-sisters are seated in the back. Sebastian Kingsley is Monarch Group's CEO - the Hoffman family can't afford to take sides between titans like you two."

Outside in the lobby, Penelope Whitmore and Margaret Sterling were holding court with several society matrons. Cassandra Blackwood and Victoria Sterling stood arm-in-arm, their fake camaraderie almost convincing. Notably absent was Eleanor Blackwood.

"Where's Eleanor gone off to?" Victoria inquired sweetly.

"Who cares? As long as she doesn't embarrass us by dying somewhere." Cassandra's face twisted with disgust at the mention of her autistic sister.

"Oh darling, you mustn't say such things! She's your blood!" Victoria's voice dripped with false concern, secretly delighting in the growing rift between the sisters.

Just then, confident footsteps echoed through the marble hall.

All heads turned as Evelyn Carter made her entrance in a sleek black tuxedo that hugged her curves, paired with lethal stilettos. Her crimson lips curved in a knowing smile.

Beside her, Theodore Winslow looked every inch the dashing prince in his tailored suit.

The striking pair would have swept past the gathered women unnoticed, but Penelope couldn't resist a jab.

"My! What a surprise to see you here! How... democratic of these charity events to welcome everyone." Her tone implied Evelyn had no place among Crestview's elite.

Evelyn paused mid-stride, one hand sliding into her pocket as she turned with a razor-sharp smile.

"How provincial you sound, Penelope. But then again, limited exposure does tend to make everything seem surprising, doesn't it?"