Chapter 232

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn Sinclair’s penthouse, illuminating the sleek marble countertops of her kitchen. She sipped her coffee, the rich aroma filling the air, as her phone buzzed insistently on the counter.

Lillian Graves’ name flashed across the screen. Evelyn swiped to answer, pressing the phone to her ear. "Lillian, what’s the emergency this early?"

"Emergency?" Lillian’s voice crackled with barely contained excitement. "More like a golden opportunity. Preston Whitmore just called—he wants you for his new project. And guess who’s co-producing?"

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her mug. "Don’t tell me it’s Donovan Sharpe."

"Bingo." Lillian’s grin was practically audible. "And Nathan Blackwood is already attached as the lead."

Evelyn nearly choked on her coffee. Nathan. The man whose piercing gaze had haunted her dreams since their last disastrous encounter at the charity gala. The man who had looked at her like she was a puzzle he couldn’t solve—or worse, didn’t want to.

She set her mug down with a sharp clink. "Tell Preston I’ll consider it."

Lillian scoffed. "Consider it? Evelyn, this is the role of a lifetime. The script is brilliant, the budget is insane, and the chemistry between you and Nathan on screen would be—"

"Nonexistent," Evelyn cut in. "We can’t stand each other, remember?"

A beat of silence. Then, Lillian’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Or maybe that’s exactly why it’ll work."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. She could already picture Nathan’s smirk, the way his dark eyes would gleam with challenge the moment she walked onto set. The thought sent an unwelcome thrill down her spine.

Before she could respond, another call beeped through—an unknown number. Frowning, she switched lines. "Evelyn Sinclair."

"Miss Sinclair." The smooth, velvety voice sent a jolt through her. Nathan. Of course. "Heard you’re thinking about turning down Preston’s offer."

Her grip on the phone tightened. "And how, exactly, did you hear that?"

A low chuckle. "Let’s just say Donovan has loose lips when he’s had too much champagne."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "What do you want, Nathan?"

"I want you to take the role." His tone shifted, the teasing edge replaced by something darker, more intense. "Because I know you’re just as curious as I am about what happens when we stop pretending we hate each other."

Her breath hitched. Damn him.

The line went dead before she could reply, leaving her staring at her reflection in the polished countertop—cheeks flushed, lips parted.

Lillian’s voice buzzed from the other line. "Evelyn? You still there?"

She switched back, heart pounding. "Tell Preston I’m in."

Lillian whooped. "I knew you’d see reason!"

Evelyn hung up, pressing her palms against the cool marble.

This was either the best decision she’d ever made—or the worst.

And Nathan Blackwood was going to make sure she regretted every second of it.

"Daniel..." Amelia's voice trembled, tears cascading down her cheeks as she clutched at Daniel's sleeve, desperation lacing her every word. "You know how much I've longed for a family—for a child. I—"

"We can have other children," Daniel cut in, his jaw tight with restrained emotion. "Why cling to this one? Don't you see it as a constant reminder of betrayal? Every time you look at this child, won’t it haunt you?"

Amelia’s breath hitched, her sobs freezing mid-air. The raw bluntness of his words struck her like a physical blow.

Exhaustion carved deep lines into Daniel’s face as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "The wedding proceeds today. But afterward, you choose: either give up the child, and we rebuild, or keep it—and we don’t register the marriage. I’ll announce the divorce and take full responsibility."

The ceremony had to happen. Calling it off now would unleash a storm of scandal upon Amelia. After everything, he couldn’t bear to subject her to that cruelty.

Amelia’s eyes widened, her grip slackening as if her lifeline had snapped. The world tilted beneath her, waves of panic threatening to pull her under. She reached for him again, fingers trembling.

Daniel stepped back, his voice steel. "This is my final offer, Amelia."

A broken whimper escaped her as fresh tears spilled over.

Nearby, Evelyn and Nathan exchanged relieved glances. At least he’s not blind to her deceit. But Nathan’s frown deepened. Still too lenient. She doesn’t deserve choices—or this wedding.

Daniel’s hollow gaze flickered toward the door. "The ceremony starts in an hour. Decide by then."

He’d given all he could to the woman he once loved.

As he strode out, his steps faltered. Nathan moved to steady him, but Daniel waved him off. "I’m fine."

Behind them, Amelia’s weeping crescendoed. Daniel flinched but didn’t turn back. "Let’s go."

Downstairs in the lounge, Daniel slumped into a chair, his voice eerily calm. "I’m ruining Ethan for this."

Nathan arched a brow. "And the wedding? You’re really going through with it?"

Evelyn shot her husband an approving look. Brave man.

Daniel’s smile was brittle. "Some farces must play out to the end."

Evelyn couldn't simply stand by and watch Daniel be deceived. Though it wasn’t their business, she’d feel guilty if she didn’t at least try to warn him.

But if they interfered and he dismissed their concerns, then she’d wash her hands of it.

Sure enough, Daniel stiffened, his expression darkening. "This hurts, but Amelia doesn’t deserve to be abandoned. She was forced—she didn’t betray me willingly."

He assumed they were just being protective.

"Really? You’re sure it wasn’t consensual?" Nathan countered, his tone icy.

"What are you implying?" Daniel’s voice wavered.

"Maybe she wasn’t as reluctant as she claims. Maybe she wanted it from the start," Nathan said bluntly.

"You’re victim-blaming!" Daniel snapped, his fists clenching.

Evelyn cut in, "Are you absolutely certain she was coerced?"

Daniel hesitated, but before he could respond, Nathan added, "Think about it. If even one of those surveillance clips was from their first time, what does that tell you?"

Daniel froze, realization dawning. "But… we don’t know if the first time was recorded."

Nathan shrugged. "Exactly. So consider the possibilities. A wedding is a big commitment. Don’t waste it on someone who might not deserve it. We don’t trust her."

With that, Nathan took Evelyn’s arm and steered her away, leaving Daniel to his thoughts.

Evelyn frowned as they walked. "What was that about?"

Nathan explained, "In those videos, Amelia barely resisted. If she were truly a victim, she would’ve sought help immediately. But she didn’t. That means either the first incident wasn’t caught on camera… or she was never forced at all."

Evelyn understood—Nathan had planted doubt in Daniel’s mind.

"Do you think it’ll work?" she asked.

Nathan shook his head. "No idea. We’ll see."

When they rejoined Nathan’s friends, they were bombarded with questions.

Meanwhile, Sophia Reed had been about to leave, frustrated by her lack of answers, when she spotted Daniel in the lounge.

After a moment’s hesitation, she approached him. He stood rigid, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

"Mr. Wright?"

Daniel Wright jerked his head up, confusion clouding his features. When his gaze landed on Sophia Reed, his expression settled into a frown. "Hasn't he left yet?"

Sophia pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening around the strap of her purse. "He's still treating his injuries. He'll be gone soon. But first, I need answers."

Daniel studied her for a moment before realization dawned. "You want to know about his past?"

She gave a stiff nod.

Without hesitation, Daniel recounted Mason Wright’s high school years—the fights, the betrayals, the calculated cruelty. When he revealed the true reason behind Mason’s disfigurement, Sophia’s face drained of color.

"Is any of this true?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She refused to let them fall, but the pain was evident. Daniel couldn’t help but pity her.

"Ms. Reed, if you doubt me, investigate it yourself. He pursued you with an agenda. There are things I can’t disclose, but I’ll warn you—the man you’re involved with is a predator in disguise."

"Daniel!" A sharp voice cut through the tension.

Daniel turned to see his father, Victor Reed, striding toward them. The lounge was empty, but the open corridors meant voices carried. Victor had heard enough.

A cold smirk curled Daniel’s lips. If Mason dared to play these games, he wouldn’t let him keep Sophia as his pawn.

Victor opened his mouth to intervene, but Sophia was already storming off, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she headed straight for Mason’s room.

In her haste, she nearly collided with a passing waiter but barely registered the near-miss.

Unable to stop her, Victor turned his fury on Daniel. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Did I lie, Father? Or do you also want your bastard son to marry the Reed heiress so he can finally stake his claim on our family?" Daniel’s voice dripped with venom. He wasn’t blind to the machinations of the elite—he just chose not to play along.

"Enough! You don’t know what you’re talking about!" Victor’s face darkened. He had known this confrontation was inevitable.

"Mason was a mistake from my past, but he’s still your brother."

Daniel let out a bitter laugh. He wanted to throw every disgusting detail of Mason’s betrayals in his father’s face—but would Victor even survive the truth?

"Save your excuses for Mother. She’s the one who deserves an explanation."

Victor paled. "Your mother’s health is fragile. She can’t handle this kind of shock. We need to handle this carefully."

"Carefully?" Daniel scoffed. "You didn’t think about her health when you brought your bastard into our lives."

The air between them crackled with unspoken accusations.

And somewhere down the hall, Sophia was about to confront the man who had lied to her from the very beginning.

"Men of our standing all indulge in..."

"Just because others wallow in filth doesn’t mean you have to roll in it too. If others eat garbage, must you follow suit?"

Daniel Wright’s sudden crudeness nearly made Victor Reed faint, but it only proved how enraged Daniel truly was.

"Fine, fine. I won’t argue with you. The ceremony is about to begin. Mind your manners and don’t embarrass the family further," Victor snapped before storming off.

Daniel stood frozen in place. The wedding...

Blinded by fury, Victor marched away, completely unaware of the trembling figure concealed just around the corner.

It was Serena Collins. She had overheard everything—clutching Daniel’s phone, the damning surveillance footage still glaring on the screen.

She had come to confront her son about Amelia Bennett and Mason Wright, only to learn that Mason was her husband’s bastard son. The revelation hit her like a freight train, nearly sending her to her knees.

But as memories of her son’s suffering flashed through her mind, her rage burned hotter. A mother’s strength was unyielding. She refused to collapse.

She didn’t buy Amelia’s victim act. She had always despised the girl’s whiny, petty demeanor. Even if Amelia was a victim, Serena would never allow a woman who had been with an illegitimate son to marry Daniel. Especially not when the child’s paternity was in question.

Her son was too honorable—he’d endure even if it destroyed him. But she wouldn’t let that happen.

Gripping the phone, Serena spun on her heel and stalked away. She was going to find Amelia.

Meanwhile, Sophia Reed was still searching for Mason but couldn’t locate him in the unfamiliar estate. Frustrated, she had no choice but to keep looking.

Serena, too, failed to find Amelia. The makeup artists informed her the bride had stepped out for air and would return shortly.

Impatience gnawing at her, Serena headed straight for the security room.

At that moment, Evelyn Sinclair was half-heartedly engaging in small talk while straining to catch any new developments.

Unbelievable. Amelia snuck off to meet Mason, confessing that Daniel knows everything. She’s begging Mason to take her away—she refuses to abort his child. But instead of saving her, Mason tells her to go through with the wedding and stay with Daniel. He even suggests she abort the baby. And now, furious over the beating he took, Mason plans to cuckold Daniel right here, right now—

Wait… What the hell? They’re actually—

The Blackwoods stiffened in shock. Was she implying…? Were they really doing something so shameless now?

Perfect. This is our chance. Bring Daniel to catch them in the act! The truth will be undeniable!

Before Evelyn could react, Nathan Blackwood rose abruptly. "I just remembered something I need to clarify with Daniel. Let’s go find him."