Chapter 90

Nathan Blackwood believed he had given Evelyn Carter the prestige of being a CEO’s wife.

Though he felt nothing for her, she lived in luxury—dressed in designer clothes, dining on gourmet meals, and attended by an army of servants.

She never suffered.

He had even provided her with a supplementary credit card. Money was never an issue for him.

Yet in three years, Evelyn had never spent a cent on that card.

Still, her life now was a thousand times better than when she had worked as a caregiver in a nursing home.

So why did she make it sound like he had mistreated her?

The thought made Nathan’s jaw tighten, his eyes darkening with restrained fury.

Pft.

"You’re just being stubborn," Cassandra Blackwood sneered, flipping her wavy hair. "Since you’re the manager here, I won’t be nice. Your hotel owes me an explanation—and compensation. A replacement necklace. Identical. It’s not that expensive—just two million."

Her lips curled. "Or you can send this thieving maid to prison. And you—" She jabbed a manicured finger at Evelyn. "—will bow and apologize to me in front of everyone. Money isn’t the issue. I refuse to tolerate this humiliation."

Cassandra would never acknowledge Evelyn as her former sister-in-law in public.

That would be mortifying.

Besides, this was her chance to crush the country bumpkin.

At the last charity auction, Evelyn had stolen the spotlight. Now? She was just a lowly part-time worker, no longer under Nathan’s protection.

Cassandra would make her pay.

"Mr. Blackwood, the young madam is being bullied again!" Oliver Sinclair whispered urgently. He despised Cassandra’s arrogance—but his concern for Evelyn ran deeper.

"Wait."

Nathan’s gaze sharpened.

He was… curious.

He had never seen Evelyn in a professional setting. In his memory, she was just a meek housewife.

Hotels were a ruthless business. He wanted to see if she could handle this—if Sebastian Kingsley’s decision to make her manager had been wise.

"Ms. Blackwood," Evelyn said calmly, "if your necklace is truly worth two million, I suggest filing a police report. We’ll cooperate fully—surveillance footage, employee searches, whatever they require. But only with a warrant."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"That’s reasonable! Why make a scene if she’s innocent?"

"Maybe she lost it and wants a scapegoat!"

Cassandra’s face flushed crimson. "A warrant? That thief has already hidden it!"

"I’m not a thief!" The maid trembled, her eyes burning with indignation.

Evelyn held up her phone. "Every inch of this hotel is monitored—except private areas like bathrooms and staff rooms. No one could’ve smuggled it out. And I’ve already called the police. They’ll be here in ten minutes."

She met Cassandra’s glare without flinching. "As for your apology demand—I’ll gladly comply if we’re at fault."

Oliver nearly clapped.

The young madam is incredible!

Nathan’s pulse quickened despite himself.

Evelyn had handled this like a seasoned executive—calm, strategic, unshakable.

This wasn’t the timid woman he’d married.

"Fine!" Cassandra spat. "You said it yourself. Don’t blame me when you’re humiliated!"

"Of course. As manager, I take responsibility for our guests’ satisfaction." Evelyn smiled—but her eyes remained ice-cold.

Just then, Theodore Winslow hurried over, clutching an evidence bag.

"We found Ms. Blackwood’s necklace!"