Chapter 196

Whispers in Evelyn's Mind

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over Evelyn Sinclair's bedroom. She stretched lazily, her mind still lingering on the dream she’d had—something about Nathan Blackwood and a scandalous secret.

Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. With a sigh, she grabbed it, blinking at the flood of notifications.

Trending Now: Nathan Blackwood Spotted with Mystery Woman at Midnight Gala!

Evelyn’s breath hitched. Her thumb hovered over the headline, torn between curiosity and dread. She shouldn’t care. Nathan was just her boss—well, former boss—and their relationship had always been strictly professional. Mostly.

She clicked.

The article unfolded with a grainy photo of Nathan, his signature smirk in place, standing too close to a stunning brunette in a backless emerald gown. The caption read: "Nathan Blackwood and rising starlet Seraphina Delacroix share an intimate moment at the exclusive Black & Gold Gala. Sources say sparks flew all night!"

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. Seraphina Delacroix—the same actress who’d been linked to Sebastian Hart just weeks ago. The woman had a reputation for leaving broken hearts (and broken contracts) in her wake.

She scrolled further, her pulse quickening.

"Insiders claim Nathan and Seraphina have been secretly seeing each other for months. Could this be the reason behind his sudden split from business partner Victoria Hayes?"

Evelyn scoffed. Victoria Hayes had been a viper in designer heels, but even she didn’t deserve to be blindsided like this.

A knock at her door startled her. "Evelyn? You decent?" Lillian Graves, her ever-loyal assistant, peeked in, balancing a coffee tray. "You’ve got that look again."

"What look?" Evelyn tossed her phone aside.

"The 'I just read something that ruined my morning' look." Lillian set the coffee down and eyed the discarded phone. "Let me guess—Nathan’s latest escapade?"

Evelyn groaned. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to people who know you." Lillian smirked. "So, what’s the damage this time?"

Evelyn hesitated. "He was at some gala with Seraphina Delacroix. The press is spinning it like they’re some epic love story."

Lillian snorted. "Please. That woman changes men faster than she changes nail polish." She leaned in conspiratorially. "But between us? Nathan’s been acting weird lately. Like, weirder than usual."

Evelyn frowned. "Weird how?"

"Canceled three meetings last week. Showed up to the office at 2 AM. And get this—he asked Preston Whitmore to fast-track your script revisions."

Evelyn’s heart skipped. "He did what?"

"Mm-hmm." Lillian sipped her coffee. "Almost like someone’s desperate to keep you around."

Evelyn opened her mouth to retort when her phone buzzed again. A text notification lit up the screen:

Unknown Number: We need to talk. It’s about Nathan. Meet me at The Velvet Hour. Noon.

She stared at the message, her fingers trembling. Who the hell was this? And what did they know about Nathan?

Lillian raised a brow. "Trouble?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Or the start of it."

Nathan Blackwood had never paid much attention to idle gossip before, so naturally, he was oblivious to the rumors. But now that they had been brought up in such a provoking manner—especially since Evelyn Sinclair’s curiosity had been piqued—he felt compelled to clarify the truth.

Everyone had seen that infamous photograph, and of course, they had all heard the story behind it.

In truth, Daniel Wright had already fully believed Nathan’s words. Though it was difficult to admit—because the truth was painful—it had indeed been Cassandra and her clique who had stirred up trouble first. If Nathan didn’t stand up for those he cared about now, he wouldn’t be Nathan Blackwood. After all, the Blackwood family was notorious for fiercely protecting their own.

There was no denying it—Nathan now considered Evelyn someone he deeply cherished.

"They said you were burning up with fever, delirious and desperate to see Cassandra. In your confusion, you went looking for her but couldn’t find her, so you ended up waiting beneath a streetlamp until Cassandra finally came to get you."

As Daniel speaking, the panic on Cassandra’s face was unmistakable.

When others had questioned her about it before, she had merely smiled coyly, never denying the rumors. Everyone had witnessed it, so they had always assumed…

Meanwhile, the corner of Nathan’s mouth twitched in irritation.

"I remember now. It was Christmas Eve when you went to the hospital and didn’t return until late the next night. And when you did, you came back with Cassandra—still feverish." Marcus Prescott, as Nathan’s roommate, couldn’t help but state the facts, though he believed Nathan’s version of events.

Hearing Marcus’s words, something seemed to click in Nathan’s mind. His brows furrowed, and he turned to look at Evelyn. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Evelyn blinked. Why is he looking at me like that? This couldn’t possibly have anything to do with me, could it?

With a sigh, Nathan finally spoke. "Do you remember when you were fifteen and fainted on your first day at my house? You ended up in the hospital—on Christmas Day."

Of course, everyone present knew the story—how the Blackwood family had taken Evelyn in after her parents passed, leaving her orphaned.

Evelyn was well aware of the original host’s memories. But faced with Nathan’s sudden recollection, she felt oddly exposed and could only nod. "I think so."

Nathan turned back to the others and explained, "That day, our parents were worried sick, so they asked all of us siblings to stay at the hospital. That’s why I was there the entire day. When I returned the next night, I wasn’t looking for Cassandra. I was just heading back to the dorm when I ran into her. As for standing under the streetlight… I was just lost in thought."

Now, Nathan remembered the real reason he had lingered in the snow that night—he had been thinking about Evelyn.

That day, Evelyn had woken up in the hospital bed and suddenly whispered to them, "I’m sorry… and thank you."

The words had haunted him ever since.

Nathan Blackwood had never paid attention to those ridiculous rumors before, so naturally, he was clueless. But the way they brought it up—so irritatingly, sparking Evelyn Sinclair’s curiosity—left him no choice but to set the record straight.

Everyone had seen that photograph. And of course, they’d all heard the story behind it.

Truthfully, Daniel Wright had already believed Nathan’s words. Though it pained him to admit it, Cassandra and her little clique had started the mess. If Nathan didn’t stand up for those he cared about now, he wouldn’t be Nathan Blackwood. The Blackwoods were notorious for protecting their own.

And there was no denying it—Nathan considered Evelyn someone he deeply cherished.

“They said you were burning up with fever, delirious, desperate to see Cassandra. In your confusion, you went looking for her but couldn’t find her, so you waited under a streetlight until she finally came for you.”

As Daniel speaking, Cassandra’s panic was palpable.

When others had asked her about it before, she’d just smiled shyly, never denying it. Everyone had seen it, so they’d all assumed…

Meanwhile, Nathan’s lips twitched in irritation.

“I remember now. It was Christmas night—you went to the hospital and didn’t come back until the next evening. And when you did, you were still feverish… with Cassandra.” Marcus Prescott, as Nathan’s roommate, couldn’t help but state the facts, though he believed Nathan’s side.

At Marcus’s words, something clicked in Nathan’s mind. His brows furrowed as he turned to Evelyn, suddenly at a loss for words.

Evelyn blinked. Why is he looking at me like that? This can’t possibly involve me, right?

With a sigh, Nathan finally spoke. “Do you remember when you were fifteen? The first day you came to my house, you fainted and ended up in the hospital. It was Christmas.”

Of course, everyone present knew the story—how the Blackwoods had taken in Evelyn after her parents’ tragic accident left her orphaned.

Evelyn knew the original host’s memories well enough. But under Nathan’s intense gaze, she felt oddly exposed and could only nod. “I think so.”

Nathan turned back to the others. “That day, our parents were worried sick. They made all of us stay at the hospital with them. That’s why I was there the whole time. When I got back the next night, I wasn’t looking for Cassandra. I was just heading back to the dorm when I ran into her. And as for standing under the streetlight… I was just lost in thought.”

Now, he remembered.

That snowy night, he’d lingered beneath the flickering streetlamp because his mind had been consumed by her—Evelyn.

That day, when she’d woken up in the hospital bed, she’d looked at them all and whispered, “I’m sorry… and thank you.”

The words had haunted him ever since.

At that moment, Evelyn's expression was utterly unreadable to him. When she murmured about being exhausted and needing to close her eyes to rest, it felt as if half his heart had been carved out in an instant.

It wasn't until the next morning, when Evelyn finally stirred awake, that her vitality seemed to return. Yet, the way she kept stealing glances at him—suddenly, frequently—left Nathan inexplicably unsettled. So he fabricated an excuse and retreated to campus.

"I merely lost myself in thought for too long, which triggered the fever afterward. It wasn’t the other way around," Nathan stated coolly. "If you doubt me, the evidence is there for anyone to verify."

"Nathan..." Cassandra stood frozen, her lips parting in disbelief. How could he be this merciless? Knowing she’d fabricated everything, did their years of companionship mean nothing to him? Did he truly have to humiliate her publicly like this?

Even if he didn’t love her, surely their shared history counted for something?

But the dam of resentment finally broke. She nearly lunged at him—only to be pinned in place by his glacial stare.

"One staged photo to kick things off, and the rest was pure fiction? Even gossip columns wouldn’t dare spin tales this wild!" Evelyn’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. Though it was just an offhand remark, it ignited the powder keg.

The previously subdued scene erupted into chaos.

What a plot twist!

Evelyn bit her tongue too late. She’d been so absorbed in the drama that she’d accidentally poured gasoline on the fire. Instantly, she sealed her lips. In situations like this, spectators stayed safe; participants got shredded. And she much preferred the front-row view.

If not for Nathan’s interference, she’d probably have grabbed popcorn by now.

"I can’t believe it! This whole thing was a scam!"

"Wow, okay. Fake celebrity couples, fake real-life couples—do NPCs not deserve authentic love? Where’s the romance I signed up for?"

"This is why they say PDA curses relationships! Exhibit A!"

"Talk about self-sabotage. They were fine until Cassandra came back swinging—and ended up KO’ing herself."

"The irony! Two minutes ago, Lillian was preaching about ‘the unloved one being the homewrecker.’ So who’s the third wheel now?"

"Tsk, tsk. The way their fans’ faces must be melting right now—priceless."

The onslaught of whispers left Cassandra trembling.

Lillian had gone sheet-white, whirling on her. "Tell me he’s lying. Your ‘epic love story’ was all a lie?"

"You lied to me!"

Cassandra's lips trembled as the crushing realization hit her—there was no future with Nathan, and her carefully constructed image was about to shatter. She had to act fast to minimize the fallout.

Then, as if breaking under the weight of her own deception, Cassandra confessed, "Yes... I did it."

Her gaze flickered to Nathan, voice wavering. "Back then, even though you agreed to be with me, you were always so distant. What was I supposed to do? I loved you, so I lied—to myself, to everyone. And the more people believed in us, the more I was trapped. I never corrected them... I thought you had accepted it too. But now? You humiliate me in front of everyone. How could you be so cruel?"

A sob escaped her. "I convinced myself you were just reserved, that deep down, you wanted me too. I even left because I couldn’t bear the thought of you wasting your life waiting for me while I was sick. And now that I’ve returned... this is how you treat me?"

The raw emotion in her voice silenced the murmurs around them. The crowd watched, some expressions softening, their earlier mockery fading.

"That’s... harsh."

"Cassandra was just blinded by love. It’s tragic, really. She left because of illness, clung to hope, and came back only to have her heart broken."

"I get it. There were always whispers that Evelyn didn’t really earn her place. Cassandra just wanted to reclaim what was hers. Can you blame her? She probably never expected them to be this happy together."

If I didn’t know the truth, I’d pity her too.

Honestly, whether in PR or acting, she’d be a star. But I can’t let her flip this narrative.

Evelyn considered pressing Cassandra about her supposed illness—demanding proof. But before she could, Nathan stepped in, his voice cutting through the tension like ice.

"Funny. Before you left, you participated in our class’s health check-up—held at Blackwood Group’s private hospital. Since you were my girlfriend then, someone showed me your results. You were perfectly healthy. So tell me, did you suddenly develop a fatal condition in two days?"

The color drained from Cassandra’s face.

Did that... really happen?

She’d been so busy back then, drowning in preparations. But Nathan’s certainty sent a chill down her spine.

It’s over.