Chapter 119

"Honestly, ladies, doesn't this feel excruciatingly awkward? Aren't you mortified?"

Evelyn Sinclair continued her theatrics, tossing playful jabs while effortlessly maintaining her performance.

The room vibrated with Evelyn's exaggerated grievances—her feigned distress so transparent it bordered on satire. Yet, the effect was immediate. The clique of socialites and Liam stiffened as if a thundercloud had descended upon them.

The women exchanged panicked glances. She's not some kept mistress—she's the legitimate wife of Blackwood Group's heir! What kind of high-society wife abandons her gilded life to become a reality TV star?

Meanwhile, Liam internally groaned. Dragging me into this mess, implicating me in some fabricated scandal with my sister-in-law—cousin, what did I ever do to deserve this?

Nathan Blackwood knew Evelyn was merely entertaining herself, but he had no choice but to indulge her charade. His arm tightened around her waist, but when he lifted his gaze, his expression was glacial.

Though Evelyn could handle herself, Nathan wouldn’t tolerate disrespect toward his wife.

"My wife is young and prefers to avoid conflict," he stated, voice like tempered steel. "Yet you stormed into Blackwood Group to intimidate her. That constitutes harassment. Don’t you owe her an apology?"

His words carried an unspoken threat, leaving the room in suffocating silence.

Nathan delivered that perfectly—CEO energy at its finest. Ten out of ten.

Evelyn’s mental commentary nearly derailed Nathan’s composure. He exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

The socialites’ expressions were priceless—a cocktail of regret, humiliation, and sheer terror. They must be wishing the floor would swallow them whole.

Evelyn peeked at them, delighting in their discomfort.

Margaret and Genevieve, who had initially regretted not intervening, now watched the spectacle with vindictive amusement. Serves you right for throwing your weight around. Did you really think you could bully one of ours and walk away unscathed?

These women held influence in elite circles, but they’d just antagonized a Blackwood.

Minutes ago, they’d dared to threaten her. Now, the realization of their blunder made their blood run cold.

Their husbands relied on Blackwood investments. One wrong move, and their entire social standing could crumble.

Panic set in. The women scrambled to their feet, their demeanor shifting drastically.

"Mrs. Blackwood! Had we known it was you, we’d never have spoken so carelessly! We merely intended to mentor newcomers—a simple misunderstanding!"

"Please accept our sincerest apologies! Our earlier remarks were in poor taste—purely jest, of course!"

Their forced smiles couldn’t mask their desperation. The same women who’d sneered at Evelyn now groveled, their flattery as thick as syrup.

I almost miss their earlier arrogance. At least that was entertaining.

Evelyn’s attention, however, had already shifted.

"We deeply regret offending you, Mrs. Blackwood. These tokens are but a small gesture of our remorse. May they bring you joy."

Margaret and Genevieve exchanged stunned glances. The gifts laid out were expensive—clearly, these women were terrified of Blackwood retaliation.

Evelyn promptly released Nathan and zeroed in on the offerings.

Now this is more like it. Practicality over pride, always. A few insults in exchange for a fortune? Worth it. This haul must be worth millions. Cha-ching.

Nathan was speechless. He’d expected to defend her honor, only for her to fold—for money.

The socialites watched miserably as their prized possessions were claimed—items they’d barely enjoyed before surrendering them.

They came to teach a lesson and ended up learning one instead. Talk about poetic justice.

What infuriated them more was Ruth’s silence. She’d orchestrated this disaster, yet they were the ones paying the price.

Ruth, however, was struggling. Unlike the socialites, she wasn’t accustomed to swallowing her pride.

Under Liam’s insistent glare, she finally spoke—but her apology was laced with defiance.

"I misunderstood Ms. Sinclair’s identity earlier," she admitted stiffly. "But your wife’s behavior is still disappointing, Mr. Blackwood."

The room froze. Liam looked ready to strangle her.

"Ruth, enough. Apologize properly."

Ruth clenched her jaw. "I invited her to stand against a homewrecker. I admired her integrity—until she chose to defend the other woman. My harshness was meant to steer her right."

Liam’s gaze flicked to Evelyn, suspicion creeping in. Evelyn’s past reputation hadn’t been spotless.

She’s so desperate for allies against Rebecca that she’ll strong-arm anyone who disagrees. Too bad I don’t bend. Must be killing her.

Evelyn had planned a scathing retort—until Nathan cut in, his voice razor-sharp.

"Mrs. Gonzales, you projected your expectations onto my wife, then condemned her for not conforming. That’s not disappointment—that’s entitlement."

The tension thickened. Ruth had crossed a line, and Nathan wasn’t letting it slide.

Evelyn smirked. Game on.