Chapter 30

The morning sun cast golden streaks across Evelyn Sinclair's penthouse as she paced the marble floors, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. Nathan Blackwood had been avoiding her calls for days, and the silence gnawed at her like an open wound.

"He wouldn’t just disappear without a word," she muttered, her nails digging into her palms.

A sharp knock at the door startled her. Lillian Graves, her ever-loyal assistant, stood there with an unreadable expression. "Ms. Sinclair, you need to see this." She handed over a tablet, the screen displaying a breaking news headline:

"Billionaire Nathan Blackwood Spotted with Ex-Fiancée at Private Estate—Reconciliation Rumors Swirl."

Evelyn's breath hitched. The accompanying photo showed Nathan standing close to Cassandra, his first love, their bodies almost touching as they stepped into a secluded villa. The caption beneath mocked her: "Old flames rekindled?"

Her stomach twisted. This couldn’t be real.

Lillian hesitated before speaking. "There’s more. Victoria Hayes leaked this to the press. She’s been working behind the scenes to sabotage you."

Evelyn’s blood ran cold. Victoria, Nathan’s scheming secretary, had always resented her. But this? This was war.

Meanwhile, at the Blackwood family estate, Nathan stared at the same article in disgust. "This is bullshit," he growled, tossing his phone onto the desk.

His mother, Margaret, arched a brow. "Then why were you with Cassandra?"

Nathan exhaled sharply. "She ambushed me, claiming she had information about Evelyn’s past—something dangerous. I went to hear her out, but it was a setup."

Margaret’s lips thinned. "And now Evelyn thinks you’ve betrayed her."

Nathan’s jaw clenched. "I need to fix this before she does something reckless."

But as he reached for his car keys, his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number:

"If you want the truth about Evelyn’s real identity, meet me at midnight. Alone."

The screen flashed with a single name: Vincent Holloway.

Back in her penthouse, Evelyn slammed her fist against the glass balcony railing. The city lights blurred as tears threatened to spill.

"I trusted him."

Her phone chimed. A video file from an anonymous sender. With trembling fingers, she pressed play.

The footage showed Nathan and Cassandra in what looked like a heated argument. Then, abruptly, Nathan grabbed Cassandra’s wrist—

"You’re lying. Evelyn would never—"

The video cut off.

Evelyn’s heart pounded. What wasn’t she seeing?

A new message popped up:

"The real game begins now. -V.H."

Her breath came in short gasps. Vincent Holloway, the notorious playboy with a vendetta against the Blackwoods, was pulling the strings.

And Evelyn? She was done playing the pawn.

The moment Evelyn Sinclair stepped into the penthouse, the scent of betrayal hit her like a slap. Perfume—expensive, cloying, unmistakably not hers—lingered in the air, clinging to the velvet drapes and the leather couch where Nathan Blackwood lounged, his tie loosened, his expression unreadable.

Her fingers curled into fists. "Who was here?"

Nathan didn’t flinch. "Victoria."

Victoria Hayes. His secretary. His problem.

Evelyn’s laugh was sharp enough to cut glass. "Of course. Did you two have a productive meeting?"

Nathan’s jaw tightened. "It wasn’t like that."

"Then what was it like?" She strode forward, heels sinking into the plush carpet. "Because from where I’m standing, it smells like desperation and bad decisions."

His gaze darkened. "You’re overreacting."

"Am I?" She snatched the half-empty wineglass from the coffee table—lipstick smeared on the rim, red, like a warning. "Then explain this."

Silence.

Nathan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "She came to discuss the merger. That’s all."

"At midnight?" Evelyn’s voice cracked. "In our home?"

A muscle twitched in his cheek. "I didn’t invite her."

"But you didn’t send her away either." The accusation hung between them, thick and suffocating.

Nathan stood abruptly, closing the distance between them. His hands framed her face, warm and familiar, but she stiffened. "Evelyn," he murmured, "you’re the only one I want."

She wanted to believe him. God, she wanted to.

But trust, once broken, was a stain that never fully washed out.

Pulling away, she wiped her cheek where his thumb had brushed her skin. "Prove it."

His eyes flickered. "How?"

"Fire her."

Nathan went still. "You’re asking me to—"

"I’m telling you." Evelyn backed toward the door, her pulse roaring in her ears. "Until Victoria’s gone, don’t bother coming home."

The elevator doors slid shut between them, sealing his stunned expression behind cold metal.

Outside, rain began to fall, washing the city in shades of gray.

But some stains, Evelyn knew, ran too deep to fade.

"My face was a mess, so I stopped by the restroom here to freshen up first. That's why." Vivienne offered a vague explanation, still reeling from her unexpected encounter with an A-lister moments ago.

Celeste noticed the details immediately. The redness around Vivienne's eyes betrayed recent tears. Memories of past incidents flashing through her mind, Celeste asked with genuine concern, "Tell me the truth, Vivienne. Did he come after you again?"

Her words hung heavy in the air. The three researchers present turned toward Vivienne with expressions torn between worry and unease.

The two male colleagues frowned deeply, their faces darkening as if recalling unpleasant experiences of their own.

A chill ran down Vivienne's spine at Celeste's question. Her expression twisted with conflict before she finally spoke. "Celeste, you—"

Ugh. This filth is making me nauseous.

Julian, the only one who could hear Evelyn's internal commentary, shot her a puzzled glance at the abrupt and cryptic remark.

Meanwhile, Vivienne's defensive tone drew clear disapproval from Celeste and the others. The two men hesitated to speak up—after all, they'd been accused and even assaulted before. They knew better than to provoke another scene.

The female researcher, however, stepped forward. "Viv, did he chase you down and put on another dramatic act? Don't fall for it again. A man like that doesn’t deserve your kindness."

"But…" Vivienne lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "We’ve been together for years. It’s not easy to just walk away. Maybe this time he really will change. He seemed different… more sincere."

Celeste’s frown deepened. "Vivienne, you know his behavior shows violent tendencies. He’s paranoid—hostile to anyone who even looks at you. If you give up your chance to study abroad for him, then honestly—"

Before she could finish, Evelyn suddenly gripped her wrist, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Celeste blinked in surprise. She didn’t even need to glance at Evelyn to feel the tension radiating from Vivienne across from her.

"Celeste, how dare you talk about Dominic like that? Do you expect me to see him as some kind of monster? I’ve known him since we were kids. I understand him better than anyone. What you’re saying… is just wrong."

Even though two people had spoken up, Vivienne directed her anger solely at Celeste. Julian didn’t need Evelyn’s silent commentary to react sharply.

"How can you say that? Celeste was only trying to help. Even if you disagree, you should at least have the decency to be civil."

The Blackwood family was fiercely protective, and Julian was no exception—Celeste had always been his Achilles’ heel.

He wouldn't tolerate anyone disrespecting her—not a single soul.

The sudden shift in his demeanor from warm and approachable to downright hostile sent chills down Vivienne's spine. She barely knew Julian Blackwood, and the intensity in his gaze made her tremble.

"N-no, I didn’t mean any harm," she stammered.

"Neither did Celeste."

Confusion flickered across Vivienne’s face, her lips parting slightly as if silently questioning his words.

"Why… why are you defending her? You don’t even know the full story," Vivienne argued, her voice laced with wounded pride.

But her words only deepened Julian’s irritation.

He wanted to snap back, If I don’t defend her, should I defend you instead? What kind of logic is that?

"I’m happy to do it. You’re—"

"Julian!"

Celeste’s sharp interruption cut him off. Though her tone was firm, the way she dropped the formal "Mr. Blackwood" and simply called his name sent an electric jolt through him. His entire body tingled, craving more. It had been so long since she’d spoken to him like this—so intimately.

Julian turned to her instantly, his expression softening into something dangerously close to devotion. Call me again. I’ll listen. I’ll do anything.

Evelyn, standing awkwardly between them, shuddered at the intensity of his reaction.

Celeste had only stopped him out of necessity. Vivienne was still part of their research team, and it wasn’t Julian’s place to reprimand her.

"Vivienne, we’re leaving for the international conference soon. You need to get your personal issues in order," Celeste said, exhaustion creeping into her voice. She’d given the same advice too many times. If not for Vivienne’s erratic behavior—her disheveled appearance, her tear-streaked face—Celeste wouldn’t have gotten involved at all.

And now, being blamed for it? That was the final straw.

Vivienne’s gaze wavered, still holding a trace of skepticism even as Celeste confirmed their upcoming trip.

"Forget it. Let’s not discuss my personal affairs anymore. I’m sorry for making everyone uncomfortable," Vivienne murmured, her voice barely audible.

The tension eased slightly. The group quickly shifted topics, filling the silence with forced chatter.

Only then did Vivienne dare to voice her curiosity. "So, Mr. Blackwood, you’re here to invest? Why would a celebrity like you consider—"

A heavy silence fell.

While the others had carefully avoided the subject, Evelyn, ever the blunt one, had no such reservations.

"First of all, I hate the word former," Julian said coldly. "Second, don’t stir trouble, Evelyn. Bringing this up will only upset her."

He couldn’t figure out Evelyn’s angle, so he shot her a warning look before discreetly texting her under the table. Behave, or no more funding for your projects.

Then it hit him.

Is Evelyn… targeting Vivienne?

When Vivienne first appeared in Celeste’s circle, Julian had already stepped back from her life. Her research colleagues, aware of the situation, had made sure never to mention him. So by some twisted coincidence, Vivienne remained clueless about the history between the two people in front of her.

Her eyes darted between them in disbelief. "You two… aren’t together?"

Julian’s expression twisted in disgust.

"I was once the prospective sister-in-law of Celeste’s family, and now I’m his actual sister-in-law," Evelyn clarified, smirking.

Vivienne’s face paled. Not only had Celeste’s ex-fiancé shown up, but he’d brought family to see her. Were they here to pressure her into something?

Uncomfortable, Celeste interjected, "We don’t have any ties anymore. He just happened to be passing by, overheard our discussion, and expressed interest in the project."

Julian shot her a wounded look but wisely kept his mouth shut.

Then Evelyn spoke again, her tone dripping with amusement. "That’s right. Julian couldn’t hold onto Celeste’s heart and got dumped. Now he’s reduced to accidentally running into her."

Everyone stared at her in shock.

Even if it was the truth, she hadn’t been this brutally honest earlier.

Julian was utterly bewildered. Huh? Though he didn’t find anything particularly scandalous about the situation, what was her deal? It almost seemed like she was deliberately flaunting something.

Despite Vivienne’s face turning ashen, Evelyn paid her no mind. Instead, she turned to the stunned Celeste with a dazzling smile. "Oh, you're such an accomplished female researcher—and so stunning, too. I wonder what kind of extraordinary man could ever catch your eye. He’d have to be far more handsome, capable, wealthier, and better-connected than Julian, don’t you think?"

An unexpected barrage of criticisms rained down on Julian.

Hey, hey, hey! What the hell are you doing?

The trio of researchers couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Absolutely. Celeste is exceptional. Countless men have pursued her, but she’s never given any of them the time of day."

Julian’s expression darkened instantly at the remark.

As for Celeste, she stared at Evelyn with a mixture of exasperation and confusion.

But Evelyn had already shifted her attention back to Vivienne, whose face was now a shifting canvas of fury and humiliation, as if she wished the ground would swallow her whole. "So, whatever nonsense your ex-boyfriend spewed earlier must be complete rubbish. Celeste wouldn’t spare a second glance at a superstar like my brother-in-law, let alone harbor some pathetic secret crush on him."

Her words struck like lightning, leaving everyone stunned—so much so that they questioned whether they’d heard correctly.

"What?" the researchers gasped in unison.

Who was accusing whom of having a secret crush?

Vivienne trembled with humiliation, her eyes welling up with unshed tears.

Celeste stared at Vivienne in disbelief.

As for Julian, his expression had turned thunderous.

How dare you even think of comparing your worthless ex to Celeste? The audacity to fantasize about her harboring feelings for him—and you were foolish enough to believe it, doubting Celeste’s genuine intentions to help you. Honestly, even zombies wouldn’t bother with hopeless romantics like you.