Chapter 200

Nathan had barely begun speaking when Evelyn let out a soft hum of confusion. "I understood everything," she said casually.

Nathan froze. That was odd. He distinctly remembered Evelyn insisting on tagging along during a meeting with an international client months ago—back when she couldn’t comprehend a single word. Had she secretly learned the language since then?

A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind, but he dismissed it just as quickly.

Evelyn, meanwhile, assumed the previous Nathan simply hadn’t known his wife as well as he thought. She didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she leaned back, thoroughly entertained by the chaos unfolding before her.

Across the table, Lillian had completely lost control. Her rage spiraled as she hurled vicious insults at Cassandra.

Finally, Cassandra snapped. "You’re the real snake here! Did you think I didn’t notice? The only reason you clung to me was because you’re obsessed with Nathan! You used our friendship as an excuse to see him every day." She sneered. "I’ve even caught you sniffing his jacket like some deranged stalker!"

Gasps erupted around the room. Eyes widened in shock.

Even Nathan stiffened, his face paling.

Evelyn’s head whipped toward him, her amusement fading. Wait—she’s serious? A quick mental scan confirmed it. Damn. One’s using the other as a rebound, and the other’s a full-blown creep. What a mess. She shot Nathan a pitying look. Poor guy. Needs all the prayers he can get.

Nathan, a notorious neat freak, felt his stomach churn.

Noticing his discomfort, Evelyn reached over and gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat.

The rest of the table sat in stunned silence, mentally exhausted from the never-ending drama.

A few stifled laughs broke out at the sight of Evelyn comforting Nathan.

Some things never change. The chaos just redirects.

Lillian wasn’t ashamed of her feelings for Nathan—but being exposed like this? That was a different story. Humiliation and fury collided, and before anyone could react, she lunged at Cassandra, yanking her hair.

All hell broke loose.

Screeches filled the air as Lillian rained down blows, snarling, "I’ll ruin you, you backstabbing witch!"

Cassandra, no longer the poised socialite, fought back with equal ferocity. Nails scraped, hair flew, and the elegant dinner dissolved into a full-blown brawl.

The guests gaped, then—because this was too priceless to ignore—pulled out their phones to discreetly record the spectacle.

The last time a gathering had been this chaotic was when Evelyn had attended.

Back then, though, it had just been Evelyn venting her frustrations—until Nathan stepped in and restored order.

This? This was next-level madness.

And Evelyn? She was living for it.

The scene had descended into pure chaos. Cassandra and Lila were locked in a vicious catfight, their perfectly styled hair now tangled messes as they clawed at each other's designer dresses. Insults flew sharper than their manicured nails, drawing gasps from the stunned onlookers.

It took Daniel stepping forward with Evelyn and Beatrice to finally pry the two women apart, their evening gowns torn and makeup smeared. The reunion was officially over before dessert could even be served.

Cassandra fled in humiliated tears, her dramatic exit punctuated by the slam of the hotel doors. The whispers began immediately - no way would she dare show her face in high society after this spectacle.

Life had delivered one hell of a plot twist tonight. Who could've predicted the male lead confronting his childhood sweetheart while his wife watched with popcorn-worthy amusement?

Clusters of guests lingered by the valet, buzzing with gossip as they waited for their cars. Nathan and Evelyn stood slightly apart when their tablemates approached.

Daniel broke the silence first. "I was going to announce my engagement to Amelia tonight," he said with a wry smile, "but I think the mood's thoroughly ruined. Invitations will have to do."

Nathan gave a curt nod.

Daniel's gaze flickered between Nathan and Evelyn, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he leaned in. "So when's the big day for you two?" The penny had finally dropped about Nathan's true feelings.

Every ear in the vicinity perked up. At this point, no one cared about opinions - they just wanted to hear what the notoriously private Nathan Blackwood would say.

Though Evelyn noticed Mason, Claire, and Grayson still looked like they'd swallowed lemons.

Nathan's response never changed. He turned to Evelyn with that infuriatingly calm expression. "Her decision."

Evelyn was still mentally replaying the night's bizarre events when his words registered. "Excuse me?" The act was over, wasn't it? Why was he still playing this charade?

Nathan fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Had it genuinely not occurred to her that he might not be acting? That perhaps, just maybe, he meant every damn word?

Just as he opened his mouth to clarify, a shrill voice cut through the tension.

"Nathan! We need to talk!" Lila came charging toward them like a woman possessed.

Instinct took over. Nathan stepped back - and pulled Evelyn with him in one smooth motion.

The effect was instantaneous. Lila froze, her face draining of color at the blatant rejection. Every eye in the vicinity locked onto them.

Evelyn nearly choked trying to suppress her laughter. Seriously? He actually took a physical step back? The look on everyone's faces was absolutely priceless. This man was going to be the death of her.

The grand ballroom of the Blackwood estate shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, casting delicate patterns of light across the polished marble floor. Evelyn Sinclair stood near the towering windows, her emerald-green gown flowing like liquid silk around her. The evening air carried the faint scent of roses from the gardens below, mingling with the rich aroma of champagne and expensive perfumes.

Nathan Blackwood moved through the crowd with effortless grace, his dark suit accentuating his broad shoulders. Every eye in the room followed him—some with admiration, others with envy. But his gaze remained fixed on Evelyn, a silent promise burning in his storm-gray eyes.

Victoria Hayes, standing near the champagne tower, watched the exchange with thinly veiled irritation. Her crimson lips curled into a smirk as she whispered something to the man beside her.

Evelyn felt the weight of the moment pressing against her chest. This wasn’t just another society event—it was a battlefield. The Blackwood family’s legacy, Nathan’s future, and her own heart were all at stake.

Serena Whitmore, Evelyn’s ever-loyal agent, appeared at her side, handing her a flute of champagne. "You look stunning," she murmured. "But you’re gripping that glass like you’re about to throw it at someone."

Evelyn exhaled, forcing her fingers to relax. "Wouldn’t that be a scandal?"

Serena smirked. "Oh, darling, we thrive on scandals."

Across the room, Nathan finally reached her. His fingers brushed against hers as he took the glass from her hand, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. "Dance with me," he said, his voice low and commanding.

Evelyn hesitated. "I thought you were avoiding me."

His lips quirked. "I was. It didn’t work."

Before she could protest, he pulled her onto the dance floor, his arm sliding around her waist. The orchestra swelled into a waltz, and suddenly, the world narrowed to just the two of them.

Victoria’s eyes burned into Evelyn’s back.

Nathan leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Ignore her. She’s not worth your attention."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Nathan."

He chuckled, the sound dark and rich. "Who said I was jealous?"

The music crescendoed, and Evelyn let herself be swept away—just for tonight.

But as the final notes faded, a commotion erupted near the entrance.

Margaret Blackwood, Nathan’s mother, stood frozen, her face pale as she stared at the unexpected guest who had just arrived.

A man stepped forward, his presence commanding silence.

Evelyn’s breath caught.

Richard Blackwood—Nathan’s estranged father—had returned.

And the look in his eyes promised nothing but chaos.

Lily was undeniably striking. It was only her petulant attitude that gave her a somewhat harsh edge. She must have hurried to touch up her appearance earlier, because now she looked far more put-together than she had right after the altercation.

Regaining her composure, Lily seized the moment before it could slip away again. "Nathan," she declared loudly, "I love you. I truly do. I’ve loved you for ten years—ever since I first saw you during our freshman year. Cassandra misled me before. I didn’t want to ruin your happiness, so I held back. But now, I can’t stay silent any longer. I want to be with you!"

The crowd gaped at her, stunned into silence.

"Is this normal? This is insane."

"Even Cassandra tried to steal Nathan behind the scenes."

"And now, with his wife standing right there, Lily openly declares she’s going to take him? That’s beyond bold. Couldn’t she at least have been a little subtle?"

"She’s clearly lost her mind. Her mental state is terrifying."

"She was always reckless, but this is next-level."

"Seems like she’s thrown all caution to the wind tonight."

"If I were her parents, I’d be furious."

"Honestly, parents don’t raise someone like this overnight. This kind of personality takes years to cultivate."

"Speaking of which, I have to give credit to Cassandra. Somehow, she managed to keep Lily in check before."

Unsurprisingly, Lily’s shocking confession left Evelyn and Nathan momentarily speechless.

Evelyn blinked. I thought she was just a side character tonight. What’s happening? Did the minor villain just promote herself to the main antagonist? I’ve seen all kinds of love rivals, but this is a first. Strangely, her bluntness doesn’t immediately make me think of her as a shameless homewrecker. Is this what happens when someone has no shame left to hide? The audacity! I’m weirdly impressed.

Nathan had never faced a situation like this before.

Evelyn’s voice echoed in his mind. Would it count as self-defense if I stepped forward and slapped her right now? No, no. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. My hand would hurt. Even though the internet crowned me the ‘Slap Queen,’ all those scenes were staged.

Just as Evelyn was lost in her amused musings, Nathan suddenly took her hand and lifted it, placing it directly in front of Lily’s face.

"Ms. Jenner," he said coldly, "do you not see my wife standing right here?" His tone was laced with irritation, and he deliberately addressed her formally.

Tears welled in Lily’s eyes, but she held her ground—far stronger than Cassandra ever had.

She glared defiantly at Evelyn. "I’m a better match for Nathan than you are. I’m the only daughter of my family, and our entire fortune will be mine one day. The Jenner empire complements Blackwood Enterprises perfectly. If Nathan marries me, we’ll be unstoppable. If he wants it, I’ll dedicate everything—myself and my family’s wealth—to him."

Lily lifted her chin, as if looking down on Evelyn.

But the crowd only stared at her like she was a fool.

Evelyn nearly laughed. What the hell? Is this what they call a delusional romantic? Your parents must be so proud.

Before Evelyn could fire back, Lily spoke again. "Name your price. Just divorce him."

Evelyn froze. Wait—what?

Nathan’s gaze snapped to her.

"I can offer hundreds of millions—whatever you want—as long as you leave him."

Hundreds of millions? Evelyn’s eyes widened. She must mean at least two hundred million.

Nathan’s expression darkened.

Oh my god. Oh my god. I’ve only ever seen this in dramas. Someone’s actually offering me money to leave my husband! This is hilarious!

Nathan exhaled sharply. "Ms. Jenner, do you think I’m some kind of commodity to be bought and sold? My wife doesn’t need your money."

Evelyn shot him a quick glance. Of course I can’t actually negotiate this in public. Lily’s not exactly trustworthy. I can’t sell my husband so unprofessionally. Still… what a shame.

Back in her original world, she had fantasized about this exact scenario during her toughest days. She’d even rehearsed her lines.

But now that it was happening, she couldn’t say what she’d planned. Actually, I could really use that money.

She sighed wistfully—then suddenly winced as Nathan tightened his grip on her hand. Just as quickly, he loosened it.

"We’re not getting a divorce," he said abruptly, turning Evelyn to face him. His voice was low, meant only for her. "We’re not getting a divorce."

Evelyn was startled by the intensity in his expression.

Nathan’s eyes were dark, fathomless. Under the soft glow of the evening lights, they shimmered like the night sky—beautiful, mesmerizing, and dangerously easy to lose oneself in.

"The only woman I will ever call my wife is Evelyn Sinclair." Before Evelyn could react, Nathan Blackwood had already made his declaration to the entire room.

With those words, his decision was final.

His wife would always be Evelyn—no one else.

Lillian Graves stared at Nathan with wounded eyes. "Nathan, everything I've told you is the truth. As a businessman, shouldn't you understand the importance of weighing benefits against losses?"

Nathan scoffed. "Evelyn is my wife. I don’t know what values your family upholds, but in mine, we were never taught to use our wives as bargaining chips. Even if we’re talking about weighing pros and cons, you hold no value in my eyes."

His words might have offended the Graves family, but Lillian had insulted them first.

Tit for tat was only fair, and Nathan had never been one to back down.

Humiliated in front of everyone, Lillian couldn’t contain her fury. She glared at Evelyn, her voice dripping with venom. "You’re nothing but an orphan, abandoned by your own family, living off charity, and dependent on the Blackwoods for survival. How dare you compete with me for Nathan’s affection?"

The moment the words left her lips, another sharp slap landed on her already swollen cheek.

Gasps filled the room.

After enduring the night’s absurdity, Evelyn, the heroine, had finally taken action.

"You can insult me all you want, but insulting my deceased family is crossing the line," Evelyn said coolly.

Just as everyone thought it was over, she delivered another stinging slap.

"And you don’t get to disrespect my in-laws. They’ve treated me with nothing but kindness." This time, Evelyn was done.

After striking Lillian, a flicker of apprehension crossed her face. Subtly, she shifted behind Nathan, seeking refuge.

Regaining her senses, Lillian was on the verge of exploding—until she saw Nathan standing protectively in front of Evelyn. His voice was icy. "Ms. Graves, conduct yourself with dignity. And from now on, I’d prefer if you stayed out of my wife’s and my sight."

The message was clear—not just for Lillian, but for everyone present. It was a public severance of ties between Nathan and the Graves family.

The implication? No one should invite Nathan and Evelyn to any event where Lillian would be present.

The crowd was stunned. Cassandra’s past actions hadn’t warranted such a reaction, yet Lillian’s insults had led to this.

It was undeniable—Evelyn wasn’t just Nathan’s wife in name. She was his priority.

Moments later, the car arrived, and Nathan escorted Evelyn away, leaving the murmurs behind.

The sudden silence in the car snapped Evelyn out of her thoughts. The weight of the evening’s events pressed heavily on her mind, but the crisp sound of Nathan’s voice pulled her back to the present.

“I’m sorry about tonight. It all started because of me,” Nathan murmured, his tone laced with genuine remorse. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel, the leather creaking under his grip.

Evelyn glanced at the check he had handed her earlier, the numbers more than generous. A small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips. “It’s fine, really. You’ve had a rough night—your first love treating you like that, and now some secret admirer lurking in the shadows.” She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Nathan’s jaw clenched. “You still don’t believe me? Cassandra isn’t my first love.”

“Oh, I believe you,” Evelyn said quickly, waving a hand. “I do. Honestly. If this is what stubbornness in love looks like, then you’re in for a wild ride. But hey, you’re a good man, Nathan. As long as you don’t end up with someone who’ll break your heart, it’s all good.”

The car fell silent again, the hum of the engine the only sound between them. Nathan kept his eyes on the road, but his mind raced. That’s it? No more questions? No reaction to anything else I did tonight?

His pulse thrummed erratically, the rhythm loud in his ears. The air between them felt charged, thick with unspoken words. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again, unsure of what to say.

Evelyn turned her gaze to the window, watching the city lights blur past. She could feel Nathan’s tension, the way his presence filled the space between them. But for now, she let the silence linger, the weight of the night settling over them like a heavy blanket.