Chapter 282

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn Sinclair’s penthouse, illuminating the scattered scripts on her coffee table. She sighed, running a hand through her tousled auburn hair. The weight of last night’s argument with Nathan Blackwood still pressed heavily on her chest.

Her phone buzzed—Victoria Hayes, her ever-persistent secretary, had sent another message.

"Evelyn, the press is already speculating about your absence from the premiere. We need damage control."

Evelyn tossed the phone aside. Damage control. As if her personal life was just another PR crisis to manage.

Across town, Nathan stood in his office, staring blankly at the city skyline. His assistant, Lillian Graves, hovered near the door, hesitant.

"Mr. Blackwood, your sister, Sophia, called. She said it’s urgent."

Nathan clenched his jaw. Sophia had been meddling in his affairs again, no doubt.

"Tell her I’ll call her later."

Lillian hesitated. "She mentioned… Evelyn."

Nathan’s grip tightened on his glass. The whiskey inside trembled.

Meanwhile, at a chic café downtown, Serena Whitmore, Evelyn’s agent, tapped her manicured nails against the table. Across from her sat Preston Whitmore, the director of Evelyn’s latest film.

"Preston, we need to address this before it spirals," Serena said, her voice low but urgent.

Preston sighed. "The studio’s breathing down my neck. If Evelyn doesn’t show up to the reshoots, they’ll replace her."

Serena’s phone lit up with a message from Evelyn: "I need space."

She groaned. Space was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

Back at the penthouse, Evelyn’s gaze drifted to the framed photo on her nightstand—her and Nathan, laughing under the stars at last year’s gala. A lifetime ago.

A knock at the door startled her. She wasn’t expecting anyone.

Through the peephole, she saw Nathan, his expression unreadable.

Her breath hitched.

He knocked again, firmer this time.

"Evelyn. We need to talk."

Her fingers hovered over the lock. One twist, and everything would change.

Outside, Nathan waited, his heart pounding.

The door remained closed.

The slap came out of nowhere, catching Caleb completely off guard. For a moment, he stood frozen, his cheek stinging from the impact. Of course, a man like him would never allow a woman to strike him without retaliation.

But before he could raise his hand, his wrist was seized in a vice-like grip. Caleb turned sharply, only to find himself staring into the cold, furious eyes of Lucas, who had followed him silently.

Rage burned through Caleb like wildfire. He wanted nothing more than to tear Lucas apart right then and there. "So protective of her, aren't you?" he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "It's obvious now—you two have been sneaking around behind my back. Those words I said earlier? Lies. The truth is, you've been lusting after my fiancée, and she’s been more than willing. Disgusting."

Lucas hadn’t expected Caleb to sink this low. The sheer audacity of his accusations nearly made him laugh. "Do you honestly think anyone believes your delusions?"

Caleb didn’t care. He was determined to drag them both down with him.

"You dare deny it? I know you—"

Another slap cut him off mid-sentence.

This time, the force sent Caleb sprawling to the ground. His cheek throbbed as he clutched it, dazed. When his vision cleared, he found himself staring up at the woman who had struck him—Luna.

"Drugging. Scheming. Framing innocent people. And now throwing a tantrum like a spoiled child?" Luna’s voice was eerily calm, but her eyes held a deep, unspoken pain. She had always known her son was flawed, but she never imagined he could be this rotten.

At that moment, something in Caleb snapped. The resentment he had harbored toward his mother twisted into something darker—something vicious.

She had seen the video. She knew the truth. And yet, instead of defending him, she stood there, siding with Lucas. If she had just supported him, he could have turned this entire situation around!

But no. Her betrayal cut deeper than any blade. "Mother," he spat, his voice trembling with fury. "How could you do this to me?"

Luna couldn’t bear to meet her son’s hate-filled gaze. Steeling herself, she turned to address the gathered crowd.

"My deepest apologies for this disgraceful spectacle," she announced, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "The fault lies with me—I failed to raise my son properly, allowing him to become this kind of man. Effective immediately, the engagement between Caleb Moore and Beatrice Holloway is officially canceled."

At those words, Beatrice finally exhaled, relief flooding through her.

Though many had expected this outcome, the abruptness still sent shockwaves through the room. The wedding had been confirmed barely an hour ago—now, it was over before it even began.

The Holloway and Bennett families exchanged uneasy glances. While they had anticipated this, the reality was far more brutal than they imagined.

The alliance between the two families?

At that moment, Claudia had already turned to apologize to Beatrice. "You're a wonderful young woman, and it's our family, the Bennetts, who owe you. As restitution, if your family still wishes to forge an alliance through marriage, you may choose any eligible bachelor from our family."

Beatrice froze, causing Lucas to stiffen instantly. His gaze snapped toward her, while the rest of the two families erupted in quiet excitement.

As expected of Mrs. Claudia. Bold enough to replace Beatrice’s fiancé on the spot! Evelyn thought.

The room buzzed with murmurs. Though the Bennetts had many sons, wasn’t Lucas the most prominent candidate? Had their speculations been right all along?

Claudia continued solemnly, "Of course, you may also select the heir."

The moment the words left her lips, the entire gathering erupted.

Unconsciously, Beatrice lifted her eyes to Lucas—only to be caught off guard when their gazes locked.

The Holloways gasped in excitement. "The heir?"

The Holloway family had never seriously considered pursuing the heir—not because they were unworthy, but because they understood their daughter’s nature. Beatrice thrived in her own world, chasing her passions, and thus, she was unlikely to be a conventional matriarch.

The head of any prestigious family couldn’t afford to neglect business affairs. Even if she didn’t work directly in the company, her role in social engagements was crucial. Yet Beatrice refused to conform to such expectations. That was why she had been perfectly matched with Caleb, who also had no interest in inheriting the family empire. They had been equals—neither overshadowing nor yielding to the other.

Now, Claudia’s offer implied a compromise. Beatrice could retain her freedom, and the Bennetts were willing to grant her this position. This was their way of making amends.

The Holloways found themselves at a loss. How could they demand justice for their daughter’s ordeal when the apology had been delivered with such sincerity?

Claudia spoke again, firm and direct. "Yes. And with this, we formally announce the selection of the Bennett family’s future heir." She exchanged nods with several Bennett elders before gesturing toward Lucas. "Lucas, step forward."

Lucas took a single, deliberate step forward.

Claudia declared, "From this moment onward, Lucas will gradually assume my responsibilities. I trust you will all continue to support our family in the years to come."

Just moments ago, the room had been thick with tension. Now, in an instant, the atmosphere had shifted—transforming into an official succession announcement. And with that, Caleb lost everything.

Holy hell, is this really happening? Lucas actually landed this? My emotions are all over the place—it’s like watching your favorite ship finally set sail! I’d pay to see Caleb’s face right now. Imagine going for gold and ending up with nothing.

Evelyn couldn't help but glance at Caleb, curious about his reaction. But before she could get a proper look, Caleb suddenly lunged forward, his voice cracking with betrayal.

"Mom! How could you be so unfair? Am I not your son? Is he the one you favor now? You're even trying to set them up! How could you do this to me?"

This time, Caleb was truly furious—his eyes burned red with anger. He could accept the broken engagement. He could even swallow the loss of his position as heir. But the thought of what was rightfully his being handed over to Lucas? That was unbearable.

At that moment, Luna saw her chance. She had been drowning in despair, but now, she seized the opportunity with desperate excitement.

"I knew it! I knew it! You must have found out about their secret affair and are just covering for them now! So I wasn’t lying—I’ve seen them together, acting suspiciously! I’m a witness!"

Was this woman truly so determined to ruin her own brother? Or was she simply too stubborn to admit defeat?

Nathan thought it was the latter—some people refused to face reality until it crushed them completely.

"Luna, do you have the memory of a goldfish?" Lucas snapped, his voice sharp with warning. "Or have you already forgotten that Caleb admitted you two drugged and framed them?"

Some people were like this—acting as if recent events never happened, stirring up chaos for no reason.

"Why else would she let them get engaged? Who just switches partners like that? Who would believe there’s nothing shady going on?"

Luna was exactly like those vile internet trolls—hiding behind anonymity, spreading baseless rumors with just enough plausibility to cause damage.

But everyone here knew better. She was nothing more than a nuisance.

Margaret stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "We haven’t even begun to address what you and your mother have done. You’d do well to stay quiet." She paused, then added, "And I wasn’t speaking. Who said I was playing matchmaker? I was simply giving Beatrice the right to choose."

As she spoke, Margaret turned her gaze toward Beatrice, who stood with a slight frown.

"This is merely a suggestion. If you don’t wish to marry into the Blackwood family, I’d be honored to take you as my goddaughter. But if you truly can’t bear any connection to us anymore, I’ll ensure you’re compensated in other ways."

Margaret had never believed that forcing a new relationship onto a wounded woman was true compensation. Real reparation meant giving her the power to decide her own future.

Even as a goddaughter, Beatrice could maintain ties between their families. If that wasn’t enough, there were other options.

In the end, whatever Beatrice desired, the Blackwoods would accept.