Chapter 287

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the penthouse as Evelyn Sinclair stirred awake. Beside her, Nathan Blackwood slept soundly, his dark lashes casting shadows over his sharp cheekbones. She traced the curve of his jaw with her fingertips, marveling at how peaceful he looked—so unlike the ruthless businessman the world knew.

A soft chime from her phone interrupted the moment. Lillian Graves had sent a message: "The press conference is in two hours. The media is already swarming the venue."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. Today was the day they would publicly announce their engagement, and the thought sent a thrill of anticipation—and dread—through her. The tabloids had been relentless, speculating about their relationship ever since Nathan had been spotted slipping a diamond ring onto her finger at an exclusive gala.

She slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and padded to the walk-in closet. Her fingers brushed over the sleek, emerald-green dress she had chosen for the occasion—elegant, sophisticated, and just daring enough to make a statement.

Nathan’s voice, rough with sleep, came from behind her. "Running away already?"

She turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, his bare chest still marked with faint traces of last night’s passion. A smirk played on his lips, but his eyes were serious.

"Never," she said, stepping closer. "Just preparing for battle."

He caught her wrist, pulling her against him. "You don’t need armor when you’re with me."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Says the man who once told me the corporate world is a warzone."

Nathan chuckled, but his grip tightened. "Then consider me your shield."

Before she could retort, his phone buzzed. Victoria Hayes’ name flashed on the screen. His expression darkened as he read the message.

Evelyn didn’t need to ask. Victoria had been a thorn in their side since the beginning—Nathan’s former secretary, who had once believed she would be the one standing beside him.

"Problem?" Evelyn asked lightly.

Nathan tossed the phone aside. "Nothing I can’t handle."

But Evelyn knew better. Victoria wasn’t one to back down quietly.

As if on cue, her own phone chimed again. This time, it was Preston Whitmore, the director of her upcoming film. "We need to talk. Urgently."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. What now?

Nathan’s gaze sharpened. "What is it?"

She forced a smile. "Just work. Nothing to worry about."

But the unease lingered. Today was supposed to be about their future—yet the past seemed determined to interfere.

As she turned back to the mirror, adjusting the neckline of her dress, she caught Nathan’s reflection watching her. His expression was unreadable, but the intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

Whatever storm was coming, they would face it together.

But first, they had to survive the press.

The Blackwoods stood frozen, their expressions a mix of disbelief and pity for Lydia, who had clearly been wronged beyond measure.

Until this very moment, Lydia had no inkling that she had been the secret object of Nathan’s affection all those years. Even after Nathan married, he had never crossed any lines—never given her reason to doubt his loyalty.

Yet, Penelope had twisted everything, blaming every failure in her life on Lydia.

She should’ve looked in the mirror first.

Nathan hadn’t dwelled on these old wounds. But now, hearing the truth laid bare, he understood why Penelope had dared to orchestrate such an audacious scheme. There was precedent—she knew exactly how the Blackwoods would react under pressure. That was why she had the gall to frame Lucas and Beatrice.

But this time, fate wasn’t on her side.

Faced with her daughter’s defiance, Penelope panicked, resorting to the same manipulative tactics she’d used on Lucas for years.

"Are you leaving or not? If you stay, I swear I’ll disown you!"

If Luna had been paying attention, she might have noticed the wild desperation in her mother’s bloodshot eyes, the cracks in her composure. But Luna had been coddled her whole life—her mother’s threats only fueled her rebellion. She shoved Penelope back, hard.

Victor couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward, gripping Penelope’s arm with a warning hiss. "Enough. This isn’t the time for your theatrics."

He dismissed her without another glance, even as she pleaded with trembling lips. Turning to Lydia—whose expression remained unreadable—he forced a smile. "I assume you’ve given this matter careful thought. What are your terms for this marriage, Mrs. Lydia?"

Lydia’s lips curled into a cold smirk, but before she could speak, Caleb cut in.

"Did you not hear a word your wife just said? Nothing happened between me and your daughter. And now you’re still trying to trap me?" Caleb scoffed. "Marry her? Keep dreaming."

Victor, a man of status, flushed at being spoken to so bluntly by a younger man. But Caleb didn’t care for diplomacy—his usual tactics were useless against someone so brazen. He had no choice but to confront him head-on.

So he pushed his daughter forward instead.

Emboldened by her father’s nudge, Luna immediately switched gears.

"Caleb, how could you say that?" Luna, ever the aspiring actress, clutched her chest dramatically, painting him as the villain who’d callously ruined her.

But her performance…

If she auditions like this, she’ll be laughed out of the room.

The Blackwoods exchanged silent glances, agreeing with Evelyn’s unspoken critique—Luna’s theatrics were painfully unconvincing.

The realization hit Caleb like a ton of bricks. Luna had been scheming all along, using this opportunity to trap him.

"What nonsense! There's nothing between us! Where's your proof?" Caleb's voice was sharp with indignation. "Just because I called off my engagement doesn’t mean you have a shot at being my fiancée. You're Lucas's sister—even if there were a hundred of you, I wouldn’t be interested!" His denial was fierce, his words cutting through the tension like a blade.

No one had expected the confrontation to spiral like this. Just moments ago, the two had been united against Lucas and Beatrice. Now, they were tearing into each other with venomous accusations. The sheer absurdity of it all was enough to make anyone burst into laughter.

Evelyn watched the spectacle unfold, torn between amusement and disbelief. The situation was so ridiculous that words failed her. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Penelope, studying the older woman’s rapidly shifting expressions. The more she observed, the more ludicrous the scene became—Penelope looked as if she were on the verge of collapsing.

And who could blame her? Watching her own son and daughter publicly argue over an incestuous affair was beyond humiliating.

Yet, here they were, making fools of themselves—clowns who had failed in their schemes and were now burning every bridge behind them.

Luna hadn’t anticipated Caleb’s outright refusal to acknowledge their involvement. His cold rejection proved he had been using her all along. Furious, she yanked out her phone and snapped, "You want proof? Fine!"

Wait… is she really—? No way. She wouldn’t—

Evelyn’s thoughts trailed off, but the Blackwoods, who had been following the drama closely, were now on the edge of their seats.

What is it? Some scandalous text? Or… something worse?

Then, Luna swiped open her phone and pulled up a photo. The people closest to her gasped, their eyes widening in shock. Caleb’s face drained of color. In a flash, he lunged forward, trying to snatch the device from her hands.

Damn it! He hadn’t expected her to take pictures earlier—let alone keep them.

Victor, however, looked smugly satisfied. His daughter had outmaneuvered Caleb, and he couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of pride. He was completely oblivious to the disaster he had just enabled.

Luna, triumphant, dodged Caleb’s grasp and held her phone high, showing the incriminating image to anyone who dared to look.

Evelyn and the Blackwoods—who knew the truth—could only stare in stunned silence.

Is this what they call… self-sabotage? Karma really does come full circle.

Penelope, who had been clinging to denial, finally saw the photo. Her last shred of composure shattered. A strangled sound escaped her throat before she doubled over, retching violently.

She couldn’t process it. Her world was collapsing around her, her beliefs crumbling into dust.

Then, with a guttural scream, she lost all control.

Her outburst sent a ripple of shock through the room. Everyone turned to stare at her, bewildered and horrified.

The Winters family had officially imploded—and there was no coming back from this.

The air crackled with tension as all eyes darted between Ava and her daughter. Did Ava despise Caleb so intensely? Or was her hatred directed at Luna?

The scene unfolded like a nightmare—Ava, as if possessed, lunged forward without warning. A sharp slap echoed through the room before she viciously snatched the phone from Luna’s trembling hands.

Is she trying to destroy the evidence?

Evelyn barely had time to process the thought when Ava froze, her gaze locked onto the screen. A wild, almost manic gleam flickered in her eyes.

"No… this isn't Caleb."

Ava suddenly burst into laughter, the sound unnervingly shrill. She jabbed a finger at the photo, her voice trembling with conviction. "This isn't Caleb! This is Lucas!"

Her words struck like lightning, sending shockwaves through the room. Even Evelyn and the Blackwoods, who knew most of the truth, were left speechless—let alone those directly involved.

Caleb looked utterly lost.

Luna gasped, her face draining of color.

Lucas’s fury surged like a storm, his chest tightening until he could barely breathe.

The photograph had been seen by many—a covert shot, capturing only Caleb’s bare torso and a sliver of his profile.

Caleb bore a striking resemblance to Lucas, nearly sixty percent alike. To an uninformed eye, the image could easily be mistaken for Lucas.

But the people here weren’t fools. They had witnessed the entire debacle unfold. Even those who thrived on gossip and scandal knew better than to believe something so absurd. Did Ava truly think they were that gullible?

"Mom!" Luna cried, her voice breaking with disbelief. She could no longer recognize the woman before her.

Ava clutched Luna’s shoulders, her grip desperate, her eyes wild. "I know you’ve been wronged. Your brother forced himself on you, and you’re too terrified to face it. That’s why you’re trying to pin everything on Caleb—but that’s not right! If Lucas hurt you, we call the police! Listen to me, darling. I won’t let him destroy you!"

Luna’s face twisted in horror. How is this not destroying me?

An affair between half-siblings was far more scandalous than anything involving Caleb.

The room erupted into chaos.