Chapter 3

The morning sun cast golden streaks across Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse as she paced the marble floors, her phone pressed tightly to her ear. "Victoria, I need those contracts reviewed by noon," she demanded, her voice sharp with impatience.

On the other end, Victoria Hayes sighed, flipping through the thick stack of papers on her desk. "I'm working on it, Evelyn. But the legal team—"

"No excuses," Evelyn cut in, her manicured nails tapping against the phone. "If Blackwood Entertainment backs out because of delays, I’m holding you responsible."

She ended the call without waiting for a response, tossing her phone onto the velvet couch. The merger with Nathan Blackwood’s company was supposed to be her crowning achievement, the deal that would solidify her empire. But something about the way Nathan’s piercing green eyes studied her during their last meeting unsettled her. He wasn’t like the other men she’d outmaneuvered—he was calculating, unpredictable.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Lillian Graves, her ever-efficient assistant, stepped in with a tablet in hand. "Your 10 AM with Preston Whitmore was moved up. He’s waiting downstairs."

Evelyn’s lips curled into a smirk. The famed director was notorious for his temper, but she’d wrapped him around her finger years ago. "Tell him I’ll be down in five."

As Lillian hurried out, Evelyn caught her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. She adjusted the plunging neckline of her emerald dress, ensuring every curve was showcased to perfection. Nathan might be a challenge, but she’d never met a man who could resist her for long.

Downstairs, Preston’s eyes darkened with appreciation as she approached. "Evelyn, you’re a vision as always."

She laughed, the sound like polished silver. "Flattery won’t get you a bigger cut of the profits, darling."

His grin turned wolfish. "Worth a try."

Their banter was interrupted when Donovan Sharpe, the producer, rushed over, his face pale. "You need to see this." He thrust his phone toward her.

Evelyn’s blood ran cold. Splashed across the screen was a headline: "Blackwood’s Secret Past: The Scandal That Could Sink the Merger."

Her grip tightened on the device. Nathan had skeletons—ones she hadn’t uncovered. And if this got out before the deal closed…

"Cancel my afternoon," she ordered, already striding toward the exit. "I need to see Nathan. Now."

Behind her, Preston and Donovan exchanged glances. When Evelyn Sinclair moved this fast, someone was about to get burned.

"At first, Richard couldn't shake his hunger for power, which drove him to send Marcus to investigate Ms. Hayes, hoping to sway her to his side. Little did he know, he’d end up losing his son in the process. If he finds out his son has turned into a lovesick fool, I bet he’ll— Ha! The irony! He’s backing his son now, thinking he’s just securing her support. Not only has he lost his son, but he’s also unwittingly aiding his enemy!" Once again, Evelyn’s inner monologue echoed in Nathan’s mind.

Richard, standing composedly behind his son, suddenly stiffened when he noticed Nathan’s piercing gaze locked onto him.

A smug grin spread across Richard’s face as he puffed out his chest. It seems Nathan’s finally met his match. After my son’s scathing remarks, there’s no way he can walk away with dignity this time! Maybe now, we’ll finally win Victoria over. Let’s see who dares call my son a spoiled brat after this!

"Hey, Nathan! Are you seriously going to humiliate Ms. Hayes for this woman?" Marcus snapped when Nathan remained silent, his expression shifting unpredictably. "Don’t forget—Evelyn is the only one who’s met Mr. Holloway from the rival company! We have photo and video evidence!"

Caught off guard by his own distraction, Nathan cleared his throat and schooled his features into sternness before turning to Evelyn. "Why did you meet him?"

The last time he’d asked, Evelyn had spiraled into hysterics, dodging the question entirely.

This time, even if she refused to cooperate, Nathan was determined to uncover the truth—one way or another.

Evelyn blinked, sensing the situation spiraling out of control. She hadn’t expected Nathan to be so relentless.

From her perspective, Nathan’s integrity was admirable. He was unwavering in his pursuit of fairness.

But that wasn’t what Evelyn wanted. She wanted a divorce!

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, her eyes met Nathan’s. His chiseled features could rival any A-list celebrity’s, and when his full attention focused on her, it was momentarily mesmerizing. She faltered.

Still no sign of the two hundred million… His face was nothing but a beautiful deception. Yet, for a fleeting second, it had ensnared her.

At that moment, his striking face was all solemnity, his entire demeanor radiating an intensity that left no room for nonsense.

His penetrating gaze seemed to strip her bare, sending a jolt through her. Stunned, she blurted out, "It was a job my agent arranged."

The second the words left her lips, she wanted to slam her head against the wall. Was I just hypnotized by a pretty face? Why did I tell the truth?! This is only going to complicate things!

Before anyone could react, Marcus scoffed. "Pathetic excuse. Did your agent suddenly lose her mind, booking you with the competition?"

Blackwood Group owned an entertainment subsidiary with a studio exclusively for Evelyn. Clearly, an agent hired by them wouldn’t take jobs from rivals—unless it was intentional.

Marcus didn’t give Evelyn a chance to explain further. He immediately dialed her agent, Serena Whitmore.

Serena answered instantly, her voice dripping with feigned shock. "What? I never arranged that! Mrs. Blackwood, you can’t pin this on me! I’m just a small-time agent—I can’t handle this kind of blame!"

Of course, a lowly agent wouldn’t dare accuse the CEO’s wife falsely—exactly the impression Victoria wanted to create.

A smug smirk curled Victoria’s lips when no one noticed how forced Serena’s denial sounded.

"Next time, come up with a lie that’s harder to debunk," Marcus sneered at Evelyn before mouthing silently, "You idiot."

Now, Evelyn was genuinely annoyed.

She’d assumed it was a simple setup, with someone like Serena caught in the crossfire. But no—this scheme was far bigger. Even Serena had been bought.

Nathan had considered that too. He was about to order an investigation into Serena when Evelyn’s thoughts invaded his mind again. "I wonder how much they paid her to frame me."

For a moment, Nathan was speechless. Can she just… see whatever she wants?

"What? My innocence is only worth two grand?! No way. There must be an extra zero missing!"

Nathan was baffled. Two thousand? Seriously?

Evelyn’s mental whimper followed. "Ugh, it really is just two thousand— Wait… Oh. So that’s how it is."

What? What is it?! Nathan’s patience frayed.

After an agonizing silence, all he heard was Evelyn’s exasperated sigh.

Nathan, usually unshakably composed, was now teetering on the edge of frustration. Just tell me! How else am I supposed to clear your name?!

Victoria took a steadying breath, her eyes brimming with false sorrow as she faced Nathan. Yet her voice was steel. "If you don’t believe me, I’ll submit to any investigation, Mr. Blackwood!"

Standard procedure dictated tracking Victoria’s recent movements and scrutinizing all her devices.

From Marcus’s earlier claims, Nathan was certain Victoria had never met anyone from the rival company.

But if she dared say that, she must have covered her tracks well.

Did she leave no digital trail? Nathan’s brow furrowed.

"Ah, so that’s her game!" Evelyn’s voice echoed in his mind again.

Nathan perked up. Finally, some answers.

"Her plan is flawless."

Stop being cryptic and just tell me!

"The email was sent on the morning of the twelfth, but even if they recover all deleted files from her computer, they’ll find nothing."

Nathan’s pulse spiked. How is that possible?

"Because she used Marcus’s computer. He trusts her blindly—never suspects her in his office. Even his password is her birthday. So even if she’s suspected, her devices are clean. If the rival company betrays her, the trail leads straight to Marcus."

Nathan’s expression darkened as his glare shifted from Victoria to Marcus.

"But she slipped up. Probably too confident in her position."

Nathan leaned in, eager for the revelation.

But Evelyn’s thoughts trailed off. "Never mind. I can’t reveal what I know anyway. In the end, Ms. Hayes will walk away unscathed. At worst, Serena might take a minor hit. I just want this mess over with."

Nathan’s eyes narrowed. A mess indeed. "Call the tech team. Have them examine Ms. Hayes’s devices."