Chapter 224

The grand ballroom of the Blackwood estate shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, the air thick with the scent of roses and whispered secrets. Evelyn Sinclair stood near the balcony doors, her emerald-green gown catching the light as she sipped champagne, her gaze scanning the crowd.

Nathan Blackwood, ever the enigmatic figure, leaned against a marble pillar, his dark eyes locked onto Evelyn. The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills that had the guests murmuring behind their fans.

Victoria Hayes, Nathan’s sharp-tongued secretary, slithered through the crowd, her crimson lips curled in a smirk. She had a dossier tucked under her arm—one that could unravel everything.

Serena Whitmore, Evelyn’s ever-loyal agent, intercepted Victoria with a polite but icy smile. "Looking for someone, Ms. Hayes?"

Victoria’s smirk faltered. "Just delivering some urgent documents to Mr. Blackwood."

Serena’s eyes narrowed. "How diligent of you."

Across the room, Sophia Blackwood—Nathan’s sister—whispered to her husband, Daniel Prescott. "Did you hear? There’s talk of an illegitimate heir."

Daniel’s grip tightened on his glass. "Whose?"

Sophia’s gaze flicked toward Nathan. "Who else?"

Meanwhile, Julian Blackwood, Nathan’s reckless younger brother, was already three drinks in, flirting shamelessly with a starlet. His agent, Marcus Donovan, sighed, rubbing his temples. "You’re going to get us both fired."

Julian grinned. "Relax. What’s the worst that could happen?"

As if on cue, the grand doors burst open.

A woman stood there, her presence commanding silence. She was elegant, poised—and holding the hand of a small boy.

The boy had Nathan’s eyes.

Gasps rippled through the room.

Evelyn’s champagne flute slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor.

Nathan’s expression darkened.

Victoria’s smirk returned, triumphant.

And just like that—the game changed.

The tension in the penthouse was thick enough to cut with a knife. Evelyn Sinclair stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her fingers gripping the edge of the marble countertop until her knuckles turned white. Outside, the city lights glittered like scattered diamonds, but she barely registered their beauty.

Nathan Blackwood’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. "You knew, didn’t you?"

Evelyn didn’t turn around. She couldn’t. Not when the weight of his accusation pressed against her chest like a leaden weight.

"Knew what?" she asked, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

"Don’t play dumb, Evelyn." Nathan’s footsteps echoed as he closed the distance between them. "Victoria Hayes told me everything."

At the mention of Victoria’s name, Evelyn’s breath hitched. That woman had been a thorn in her side since day one, always lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Evelyn finally turned, meeting Nathan’s piercing gaze. His stormy gray eyes were darker than she’d ever seen them, filled with a mix of betrayal and something else—something that made her heart clench.

"Victoria has been manipulating you," Evelyn said, her voice low but firm. "She’s been feeding you lies to drive us apart."

Nathan scoffed, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Funny how every time I hear the word 'lie,' it’s coming from your mouth."

Evelyn flinched. That stung more than she cared to admit.

Before she could respond, Nathan’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. "I have to go."

"Where?" Evelyn demanded, stepping forward.

"Does it matter?" Nathan shot back, his tone icy. "You clearly have your own agenda."

Evelyn’s hands balled into fists at her sides. "Nathan, listen to me—"

But he was already striding toward the door, his broad shoulders rigid with tension.

Just as he reached the threshold, Evelyn blurted out, "If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back."

Nathan paused, his back still turned. For a heartbeat, Evelyn thought he might turn around—might give her a chance to explain.

But then he let out a bitter laugh. "Maybe that’s for the best."

The door slammed shut behind him, the sound reverberating through the penthouse like a gunshot.

Evelyn stood frozen, the weight of his words crashing over her. She had fought so hard to keep their relationship intact, but in the end, it had all unraveled in a matter of minutes.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Lillian Graves, her assistant.

"Evelyn, we have a problem. The press just got wind of Nathan’s meeting with Victoria. It’s all over the news."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. This wasn’t just a personal disaster—it was a professional one. If the media twisted this into a scandal, it could ruin everything she’d worked for.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think. She couldn’t fall apart now. Not when so much was at stake.

But as she stared at the closed door, one thought echoed in her mind:

What if it’s already too late?

The incident with Grayson had been nothing more than a minor setback. Soon enough, they arrived at the luxurious penthouse. After a series of playful bridal games—some involving blindfolded challenges, others requiring Nathan to prove his devotion—Evelyn finally made it into the bridal suite, surrounded by a lively crowd.

The space was packed, bodies pressed together, making it impossible for her to see the ongoing game at the center. She rose onto her tiptoes, straining for a better view—only to be suddenly swept off her feet in one smooth motion.

The gesture was familiar, yet this time, the sensation was entirely different. Nathan’s arms around her felt possessive, secure, as if he never wanted to let go. His grip tightened instinctively, pulling her closer against him, and she could feel the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

He was nervous.

Evelyn blinked in surprise, her own pulse quickening. Even suspended in the air like this, she felt inexplicably safe. Around them, children were being lifted onto shoulders for a better view—but she was the only adult in such an undignified position. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she squirmed slightly, signaling for him to put her down.

But when she glanced down, she noticed something unexpected—Nathan’s ears were burning red.

Had he been blushing this whole time?

A mischievous impulse seized her. Her fingers, already resting against the nape of his neck, twitched—then deliberately pinched the tip of his crimson earlobe.

Nathan jolted as if electrocuted, his head snapping up to stare at her with wide, startled eyes.

Evelyn immediately released him, schooling her expression into one of perfect innocence.

I wasn’t teasing you, she thought, biting back a grin. I just wanted to see if your ears were as warm as they looked. But wow—they’re practically on fire! Is the great Nathan Blackwood actually flustered? Hah! Who knew the ruthless CEO could be this adorable?

Nathan turned his face away sharply, his jaw tight, but the heat radiating from his skin betrayed him.

“Wait—is that Evelyn Sinclair?”

“It is! The Evelyn Sinclair! The A-list actress!”

“And the guy holding her—damn, he’s gorgeous. Even more striking than Julian Blackwood. How does someone like that even exist? And he’s carrying her like she weighs nothing!”

Nathan stiffened, his grip on her tightening almost imperceptibly. He waited, tense, for Evelyn’s reaction. Deep down, he wanted the world to know she was his—but he understood her career came first. If she wasn’t ready to reveal their marriage, he wouldn’t push.

Evelyn smirked to herself.

That’s right. He’s my husband. Handsome, powerful, and utterly devoted. And he’s all mine.

The thought sent a thrill through her.

Nathan Blackwood—blushing, possessive, and hopelessly in love with her.

Who would’ve guessed?

A wave of relief surged through Nathan, leaving him unexpectedly exhilarated.

He could certainly indulge Evelyn's pride.

Yet it was clear the whispering guests understood—since they'd arrived with Daniel, these individuals held considerable status. No one dared risk taking unauthorized photos. After some hushed murmurs, the topic swiftly shifted.

"Who would've guessed? Amelia's fortunes have completely turned. That girl who endured so much misery in high school is now marrying into the Ford dynasty."

"I suspect Daniel pitied her at first, and pity gradually bloomed into love. Men can't resist women who awaken their protective instincts."

"Amelia's docile personality isn't my preference, but she did suffer terribly. Bullied relentlessly, she'd appear at school bruised almost daily. Though now, it seems her stars have finally aligned."

"Honestly, it's been years. With Daniel spoiling her like royalty, I expected her personality to evolve. Yet she remains that same timid mouse from our school days."

"And today—her wedding day! She's been radiating gloom since morning preparations. Only someone as relentlessly cheerful as Daniel could endure her melancholy daily without crumbling."

"Childhood scars do linger, don't they?"

"Not necessarily. Pregnancy hormones could also explain it."

These two were evidently Amelia's former classmates, unable to resist revisiting old gossip.

As Evelyn observed the bride, she noted something distinctly amiss. Despite Daniel's dramatic knee-drop and passionate vows, Amelia's reaction was... unsettling.

Most brides either glowed with joy or brimmed with happy tears.

Amelia, however, fidgeted nervously. Her eyes darted about, her smile strained—as if her mind were miles away.

Utterly perplexing.

Before Evelyn could analyze further, cheers erupted. The bridal games concluded, and Daniel whisked Amelia directly to the Ford estate.

Upon arrival, Daniel refused to let Amelia's feet touch the ground, sweeping her into his arms with theatrical flair. His gaze burned with adoration as he carried her inside.

Well-wishers showered them with congratulations along the way.

"To the happy couple!"

"Thank you."

"Congratulations."

Amidst the sea of well-wishers, two unexpected figures emerged from the crowd.

Nathan Blackwood acknowledged everyone with a gracious smile, but his expression faltered the moment his gaze landed on the two familiar faces—people he had only met once before, yet their presence sent an inexplicable chill down his spine.

At that very moment, the woman in his arms, Amelia Bennett, began trembling uncontrollably.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as he tightened his hold on her.

She shook her head, burying her face deeper into his chest, as if desperate to hide whatever emotion had taken hold of her.

Assuming she was simply overwhelmed, Nathan quickened his pace, eager to whisk her away to the privacy of their newlywed home.

But Amelia wasn’t just overwhelmed—she was terrified.

Peeking through the crook of his arm, her blurred vision followed the retreating figures until they disappeared into the distance. A single tear slipped free.

He’s here.

Meanwhile, Sophia Reed noticed her boyfriend, Mason Wright, chuckling under his breath.

"What’s so amusing?" she asked, arching a delicate brow.

Mason snapped out of his thoughts and pulled her closer. "Just thinking how much I envy them. I want that for us—soon."

Sophia stiffened. "We’ve barely been together six months. Marriage isn’t even on the table yet."

A flicker of irritation crossed Mason’s face. Always so damn cautious.

Before he could respond, a discreet wave caught his attention. It was the assistant of Victor Reed—Nathan’s father.

Mason’s eyes gleamed with opportunity. "Excuse me for a moment, love," he murmured before slipping away.

The assistant regarded him with thinly veiled disdain. "The boss wants to see you. Follow me."

With a smirk, Mason trailed behind him into the sprawling garden of the estate.

The distant sound of barking dogs led them to a secluded corner where Victor Reed stood, his boutonniere marking him as the groom’s father.

Before Mason could utter a word, Victor’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

"What the hell are you doing here? Who gave you permission to come?"

Mason feigned innocence. "Father, even if Daniel doesn’t know I exist, he’s still my brother. I couldn’t miss his wedding."

Victor’s jaw tightened. "If you’re here to cause trouble—"

"I’m not," Mason interrupted smoothly. "Mother made the consequences very clear. I’m just here to observe."

Victor studied him for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "Keep it that way. If you ruin this day, I swear—"

Mason held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax. I’m just a guest."

But as he turned away, his smirk returned.

For now.

"Why would I do that, Father? I even brought my girlfriend today so you could meet her. This is Sophia Reed, the young heiress of the Reed family."

"What? You're dating her? How did her family even agree to this? You can't be serious—" Victor Reed replied, stunned.

"Her father never interferes with her choices. She’s free to date anyone, regardless of background—as long as they win her over. Though… given my situation, if we were to marry, they might expect me to take her name and live with them."

Victor’s brows furrowed, his expression darkening with contemplation.

"Fine," he finally said, voice clipped. "Go back to your girlfriend for now. We’ll discuss this later."

Mason Wright smirked, hands tucked casually in his pockets as he turned away.

As he passed a row of neatly trimmed hedges, the sharp bark of a dog cut through the air—then abruptly stopped. Odd.

Unbeknownst to him, hidden behind the foliage were two figures and three massive German Shepherds.

Evelyn Sinclair had heard that Daniel Wright kept retired police dogs. Bored while waiting for the bride’s outfit change, Nathan Blackwood suggested visiting them, knowing she’d adore the animals. And she did—laughing as she scratched behind their ears.

The butler had left them to it, never imagining they’d overhear a bombshell revelation.

Nathan’s jaw tightened.

Evelyn, one hand cradling a dog’s head while the other clamped over its muzzle, gaped.

Oh my God. The Reeds have a skeleton in their closet! Margaret always said Victor and Serena had an arranged marriage but grew to genuinely care for each other. Who knew there was an illegitimate son lurking in the shadows?

Daniel doesn’t know yet. Should we tell him? Not today—it’d ruin the wedding. And Sophia’s boyfriend—Mason, was it? His motives are transparent. He’s using her to force Victor’s hand. Disgusting. We barely know Sophia, but should we warn her?

Before she could decide, Victor’s low voice carried over from the terrace.

"Have someone watch him. Ensure he doesn’t cause trouble."

"You don’t trust Mason, sir?"

"Not entirely. I sent him and his mother abroad after that fight with Daniel—the one that left his face scarred. Knowing his temper, I doubt he’s forgiven it. Today is not the day for scandals."

Evelyn’s eyes widened. Wait—they knew each other? And his face was scarred? What the hell happened?

Nathan froze mid-step, his breath catching in his throat. A fight? Facial scars? Ethan?

In an instant, the fragmented memories clicked into place like pieces of a long-forgotten puzzle.

A shadow flickered across Nathan's piercing blue eyes as the realization struck him—Ethan had been the notorious tormentor from his high school years, the boy who'd made his adolescence a living nightmare.

Evelyn gasped, her delicate fingers flying to her lips. "What? No! That can't be..."

The revelation hung thick in the air between them, charged with unspoken implications. Nathan's jaw tightened as he mentally reconstructed the timeline—Ethan's sudden disappearance during their senior year, the whispered rumors about an "accident," and now this damning connection.

Across the room, Lillian Graves nearly dropped her tablet, her eyes widening behind her chic glasses. "Mr. Blackwood, are you saying—"

Nathan cut her off with a sharp gesture, his mind racing through the possibilities. If Ethan was involved, then this changed everything. The carefully constructed facade of their present might crumble under the weight of buried secrets.

Evelyn reached for Nathan's arm, her touch feather-light yet grounding. "We need to look into this," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper yet carrying the weight of conviction.

Nathan met her gaze, seeing his own determination reflected in her emerald eyes. The game had just taken an unexpected turn, and the stakes had never been higher. Somewhere in the shadows, the truth waited—and it was far more dangerous than either of them could imagine.