Chapter 207

The morning sunlight streamed through Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse windows as she absentmindedly stirred her coffee. Her phone buzzed with yet another notification from the celebrity gossip app she'd been obsessively checking all week.

"Another scandal?" Nathan Blackwood's deep voice startled her as he emerged from their walk-in closet, adjusting his cufflinks.

Evelyn quickly locked her screen. "Just checking the weather," she lied smoothly, though her racing pulse betrayed her.

Nathan's knowing smirk told her he wasn't fooled. "The weather in Seraphina Delacroix's love life, perhaps?"

Evelyn's cheeks burned. She'd been caught red-handed indulging in her guilty pleasure - reading the juiciest Hollywood gossip through her unique ability to hear people's thoughts when they were within fifty feet.

"Don't judge," she muttered, taking a defiant sip of coffee. "It's research for my next script."

Nathan leaned against the kitchen island, his tailored suit accentuating his broad shoulders. "Tell me, darling, what fascinating tidbits has your... research uncovered today?"

Evelyn hesitated. The latest mental whispers she'd overheard at yesterday's charity gala involved Sebastian Hart's secret reconciliation with his ex-manager Isabelle Laurent - a scandal that would rock the entertainment industry if made public.

"Nothing important," she said finally, though her fingers itched to text her agent Preston Whitmore with the scoop.

Nathan's phone buzzed with an incoming call from Marcus Donovan. As he stepped away to answer it, Evelyn unlocked her phone again, scrolling through the latest blind items.

Her breath caught. There it was - a thinly veiled reference to Sebastian's betrayal of his current girlfriend Seraphina. The poster clearly had inside information.

Evelyn's mind raced. She'd been the only one within mind-reading distance when Sebastian had that private conversation yesterday. Unless...

Unless someone else at that party shared her ability.

The thought sent a chill down her spine. For years, she'd believed her gift was unique. But if there was another mind-reader in Hollywood - one who clearly had no qualms about exposing secrets - then no one's private thoughts were safe.

Least of all hers.

Nathan returned, his expression grim. "We need to talk."

Evelyn's stomach dropped. Had he somehow discovered her secret? Or worse - had this mysterious other mind-reader already uncovered her ability and exposed it?

She forced a smile. "What about?"

Nathan's next words would change everything. But before he could speak, Evelyn's phone buzzed with a notification that made her blood run cold:

"Rumor has it one of Hollywood's sweethearts isn't who she appears to be. Stay tuned for tomorrow's explosive reveal about a certain actress with... unusual abilities."

The coffee cup slipped from Evelyn's fingers, shattering on the marble floor.

When Claire's words reached the ears of Evelyn and Nathan, who were eavesdropping nearby, both froze in shock.

They all knew the truth. By all logic, Claire should have been the last person to dare speak it aloud—especially within the walls of the Hampton estate. What game was she playing?

Inside the room, Violet Carter stiffened. At first, she assumed Claire had come to dissuade her on behalf of the Hampton family—a predictable move among the elite. But now, she was utterly baffled by Claire's cryptic words.

"What?" Violet had long stopped caring about reasons or excuses. Yet Claire's audacity left her speechless.

A resigned glimmer flickered in Claire's eyes as she sighed. "The truth is… it's because of his ex. She chose a marriage that would secure her family's future, abandoning the love they once shared. She hurt him, yet he never stopped loving her. His pain runs so deep that now, he distrusts any woman who comes near him—convinced they only want his wealth. That's why he deceived you for so long."

Violet's face darkened, her expression stormier than before.

How dare she say it out loud? Is she insane?

Then it struck her—no one knew about her secret relationship with Mason. If any Hamptons overheard this, they'd never connect the dots to Claire. The sheer audacity! Claire wasn't afraid to wield this truth like a blade, but how could she be certain it would wound Violet?

Nathan frowned, his thoughts mirroring Evelyn's.

At first, Violet had dismissed it as some cruel prank by spoiled heirs.

Now, she realized the real reason for her suffering—another woman's shadow.

Which was worse? The deception, or knowing she was just collateral damage in someone else's love story?

Is this some twisted power play? Evelyn wondered. Claire must be banking on Violet being a hopeless romantic, clinging to Mason despite everything. The best way to break her? Strike at the heart of her devotion.

Just as Evelyn predicted, Violet's devastation was palpable even through the phone screen.

For Violet, this wasn't just betrayal—it was a mockery of everything she'd believed in.

Tsk. Mason is done for.

Violet had agreed to come tonight, but her mind was already made up. Now, with the truth laid bare, Mason had no hope left.

Though Mason was Nathan's closest friend, all he could do was mourn silently for him.

And if Violet discovered Claire was Mason's ex? The disgust would be irreversible.

Nathan doubted Claire would be reckless enough to reveal that. After all, who knew what chaos the truth might unleash?

Violet Carter’s face twisted with anguish as she watched the screen, her fingers digging into the armrest. "He’s just... tormenting himself and hurting everyone around him..."

Claire Morgan’s voice dripped with familial concern, but beneath it lay something darker—a sorrow so personal it seemed to seep from her very bones.

Evelyn Sinclair and Nathan Blackwood exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable. They knew the truth, and it left no room for sympathy.

Violet, ever perceptive, immediately caught the odd inflection in Claire’s tone—especially when it came to Mason Hunter. Her head snapped up, confusion knitting her brows together.

Claire’s fingers fluttered to the delicate necklace resting against her collarbone, her eyes shadowed with unspoken grief.

The necklace was new. Violet hadn’t noticed it before, but now, under the dim lighting, its intricate design gleamed ominously.

Her breath hitched.

"That necklace is—" Violet’s voice cracked, raw with disbelief.

Claire stiffened, as if realizing her mistake. She averted her gaze, feigning nonchalance. "It—it was a gift from a family member. Does it bother you, Ms. Carter? I’m afraid it’s one of a kind. The materials were... rare. There was only enough for this piece. The scraps might make a bracelet, but I don’t know where it ended up. Otherwise, I’d offer it to you—as an apology for Mason’s deception."

Evelyn frowned.

Why was Violet suddenly fixated on the necklace? And why did Claire react like that—as if it had come from Mason? But how would Violet even know?

Beside her, Nathan shifted. His elbow brushed against Evelyn’s shoulder, startling her. She turned, only to find him staring intently at her wrist—where a delicate bracelet rested.

His fingers closed around her wrist, his touch featherlight as he gestured toward Violet on the screen.

Evelyn blinked, still lost.

Then, the soft strains of a violin drifted up from below—the band had begun their soundcheck.

Nathan leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "Violet’s bracelet."

Evelyn’s thoughts stuttered.

It wasn’t the words that derailed her. It was his voice—low, velvety, and laced with something dangerously intimate. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine, and for a fleeting second, her knees threatened to buckle.

Nathan’s voice was usually cool, detached—beautiful, but devoid of heat.

Not now.

Now, it was the voice of an incubus—dark, seductive, and impossible to resist.

Holy heavens! That voice could make a nun reconsider her vows! Since when did Nathan Blackwood possess such a dangerously alluring tone? It was as if he'd suddenly morphed into some mythical siren, weaving spells with every syllable. I never imagined my husband had this... particular talent hidden up his sleeve.

At that precise moment, Nathan—who had merely intended to relay vital information to ease his wife's burden—found his ears burning a deeper shade of crimson than Evelyn's flushed cheeks. A cocktail of exasperation and self-consciousness twisted inside him. His sharp gaze flicked toward Evelyn, but words failed him. Silence became his reluctant ally.

Downstairs, the Blackwood clan was having a field day with the impromptu drama. Though Evelyn's fragmented mental monologue made deciphering the full context like assembling a puzzle blindfolded, the unexpected revelation about Nathan's... vocal abilities left them utterly gobsmacked. This was not the intel they'd signed up for.

So this is how far he's willing to go to woo his wife? Sophia Blackwood mouthed to her husband, Daniel, eyes wide with scandalized delight. Unleashing his inner incubus?

The family's collective focus on the original gossip derailed spectacularly.

Thankfully, Evelyn was a seasoned professional when it came to mental espionage. Though momentarily derailed by Nathan's sinful voice, she swiftly wrestled her thoughts back on track.

Wait—what did Nathan just say? That bracelet belonged to Violet Carter—the one from when we helped her gather her belongings? But Claire Morgan mentioned it too. Why would she bring that up randomly? Unless... Oh. Oh no. Is this what I think it is?