Chapter 234

The moment Evelyn Sinclair stepped into the bustling café, she knew today would be anything but ordinary. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and hushed whispers—gossip, the kind that made her pulse quicken with anticipation.

As she settled into her usual corner booth, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her latte, her mind involuntarily tuned into the thoughts swirling around her. It was a gift—or a curse—she’d long since learned to live with.

"Did you hear? Nathan Blackwood was seen leaving Seraphina Delacroix’s penthouse at three in the morning!"

Evelyn nearly choked on her drink. Nathan? The man who’d barely spared her a second glance at last week’s gala? The same Nathan whose piercing gaze had haunted her dreams?

She forced herself to exhale slowly, schooling her expression into one of mild disinterest. But inside, her thoughts raced.

"Oh, please," another voice scoffed mentally. "That’s old news. The real scandal is what happened between Sebastian Hart and Isabelle Laurent at the studio after hours."

Evelyn’s lips twitched. Sebastian Hart? The brooding actor who’d once glared daggers at her during an interview? Now that was a twist she hadn’t seen coming.

A third mental voice, dripping with faux sympathy, chimed in. "Poor Vanessa Sterling. Harrison Montgomery’s wife still has no idea about their little ‘arrangement.’"

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her cup. Harrison Montgomery? The charming A-lister who’d publicly declared his undying love for his wife, Natalie Whitaker, just last month? The hypocrisy was almost laughable.

She leaned back, feigning disinterest as she sipped her latte, but her mind was a whirlwind of revelations. Each tidbit of gossip was a puzzle piece, and she couldn’t help but slot them together, forming a picture far more scandalous than she’d imagined.

Then, just as she was about to leave, a new thought slammed into her consciousness—sharp, urgent, and unmistakably directed at her.

"Evelyn Sinclair knows too much."

Her blood ran cold.

The voice was unfamiliar, laced with a threat that sent a shiver down her spine. She scanned the café, but no one met her gaze. Yet the warning lingered, heavy in the air.

Someone knew about her ability.

And they weren’t happy about it.

With practiced calm, Evelyn stood, tossing a few bills onto the table. But as she strode toward the exit, her mind raced with one terrifying question:

Who else was listening?

Nathan's lips trembled, his throat tightening as he struggled to respond to Sophia. A chilling realization struck him—this was his mother's doing.

She knows.

It's over.

Yet, this wasn't Serena's usual style. Even if she was furious, convinced that Amelia was to blame, she wouldn’t resort to sabotaging the wedding so publicly. Humiliating their own family wasn’t her way.

Before Nathan could react to the scandalous footage on the screen, Victor's frantic voice cut through the chaos. "Who the hell is behind this? Turn it off—now! It's all lies!"

Though Nathan understood his father was trying to protect the family’s reputation, a cold numbness spread through his chest. His father’s first instinct wasn’t concern for him—his son, publicly shamed by an illegitimate child.

Drawing a sharp breath, Nathan forced himself to play along, determined to contain the damage.

But Daniel stopped him.

"Hold on."

Nathan stared at him in shock.

What Nathan couldn’t see, Daniel understood. This wasn’t about revenge. Serena was fighting to shield her son.

Amid Nathan’s confusion and Victor’s furious demands, an unmistakable sound crackled through the speakers.

Though not loud, the gasps that followed were deafening.

Parents immediately covered their children’s ears. Adults flushed crimson, some turning away in mortification.

This isn’t just an affair exposé—this is… explicit.

Who in their right mind would play this at a wedding? Was there more? Were they about to witness an entire scandalous video? Had the Fords lost their minds?

The whispers were frantic.

By tomorrow, this will be everywhere.

Yet, no one felt like a lucky spectator. Only sheer, suffocating embarrassment.

In the stunned silence, no one even thought to cut the audio.

Nathan’s face darkened, blood roaring in his ears. He stood frozen, staring at Daniel, wondering if he had released something worse—something even Serena would unleash.

The nightmare had only just begun.

Meanwhile, Sophia Reed, who stood frozen at the side, hadn’t fully processed what was happening, but her cheeks burned with humiliation all the same. Thankfully, the ordeal ended swiftly, allowing her to finally exhale in relief.

Then, Mason Wright’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Amelia,” he drawled, voice dripping with arrogance, “tell me—who’s better? Me or Daniel?”

A choked gasp followed.

For a fleeting moment, many genuinely believed the answer had been forced—even Daniel Wright himself dared to hope.

Mason’s fingers tightened. “Well? Are you going to answer me or not?”

Amelia Bennett sobbed, her voice trembling. “You know you’re the only one I’ve ever loved. I never let him touch me. There’s only ever been you.”

Evelyn Sinclair smirked internally. Well, even though this was mortifying to witness, I have to admit—they played their parts flawlessly. Without that little performance, Daniel might not have given up so easily.

Nathan Blackwood turned his head just in time to see Daniel sway on his feet, his expression shattering into blank devastation. It was the look of a man whose heart had just been ripped out.

Among the gathered spectators—especially their old high school classmates—shock rippled through the crowd.

What in the world? Amelia and Mason? Since when did Amelia have feelings for Mason?

“That’s more like it,” Mason purred, satisfaction lacing his tone.

Amelia sniffled. “Why… why are you doing this? You already have Sophia. Why torment me like this?”

Mason chuckled darkly. “What’s wrong? Jealous? It’s not my fault you don’t have her connections. But between us? I’d still pick you. She’s so damn boring—prudish and rigid. Makes me wait forever before she’ll even let me kiss her. If it weren’t for what her family name gets me, I wouldn’t bother.”

Evelyn nearly laughed aloud. Oh, you two are really laying it on thick. Or maybe fate just took pity on Sophia and decided to rip the blindfold off her eyes. I wonder if she’s still here to witness this.

Nathan’s gaze flicked to Sophia, whose face had gone deathly pale. The truth had struck her like a physical blow.

Among the onlookers, many were associates of the Reed family. Their shock deepened at Mason’s words. Who was this reckless young man, daring to play games with a Reed heiress?

Slowly, Victor Reed regained his composure, his expression a storm of emotions. He knew now—his illegitimate son was nothing but a liability.

I can’t let anyone find out that Mason not only stole his brother’s fiancée but also schemed against another family’s daughter.

But in the next heartbeat, Victor’s carefully constructed mask shattered.

"I understand, truly I do. I know the struggles you face as an illegitimate child—the constant need to prove yourself, to compete with Daniel for your father’s approval. It breaks my heart to see you like this, but you—"

Evelyn thought, Oh, please. You two are the ones destroying Daniel, aren’t you? The hypocrisy is astounding. But, oh, how delightful that you admitted it. Go on… Keep digging your own grave, hahaha!

Aside from Evelyn’s silent, mocking laughter, the Blackwood family stood frozen in shock.

What in the world is happening? An illegitimate child? This is the kind of scandal even soap operas wouldn’t dare script. A half-brother sleeping with his brother’s fiancée? Wait… Why does this sound so familiar? No way! Victor Reed was supposed to be a devoted husband! How could he have an illegitimate son, and worse, allow him to attend his legitimate son’s wedding? Has he lost his mind? Does Serena know?

"Shut up! Why are you bringing this up now? Do you look down on me too?"

"I don’t. I love you. Ever since that rainy afternoon in our sophomore year, when you kissed me for the first time, I was lost to you. I knew your possessiveness was just a mask for your emptiness. I understand."

"So that’s why you suddenly ran to Daniel for protection after I cut things off. You even flaunted it in front of me. You were just trying to get my attention! The funniest part? Daniel fought me over and over for your sake. He even got injured—lost his chance to serve in the air force. I heard it was his lifelong dream, and you ruined it for him. Hahaha. You’ve been my little puppet all along, helping me crush his dreams and the future the Reed family had planned for him. You’ve done me a great favor!"

"No! That wasn’t my intention! Don’t say such things. Daniel is a good man—my savior. I’m the one who wronged him."

Evelyn smirked internally. Oh, Amelia, those crocodile tears won’t fool anyone. I wonder if Daniel regrets playing the hero now.

Nathan glanced at Daniel, who stood rigid at the edge of the room.

Daniel’s expression was unreadable. He had never imagined Amelia would… He had saved her out of duty, believing she needed protection. But now? She wanted the very man who tormented her. All this time, he had been nothing but an unwanted intruder in their twisted game.

The bitter irony twisted his lips into a cold, humorless smile.

The rest of the guests—whether they knew the truth or not—couldn’t muster an ounce of pity for him.

Poor bastard. Stumbling into these two lunatics was the worst luck of his life.