Chapter 40
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the city as Evelyn Sinclair stepped into the sleek black car waiting for her. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her designer bag, the weight of the past few days pressing heavily on her shoulders. The meeting with Nathan Blackwood loomed ahead—an encounter she both dreaded and anticipated.
Lillian Graves, her ever-efficient assistant, handed her a tablet. "The latest reports from the board meeting are in," she said, her voice low but urgent. "Victoria Hayes has been making moves behind the scenes again."
Evelyn’s lips thinned. Of course she had. Victoria had never been one to sit idly by. "What does she want this time?"
"Control over the new merger," Lillian replied. "She’s been whispering in the ears of the senior partners, trying to sway them."
Evelyn exhaled sharply. "She won’t succeed."
The car pulled up to the towering Blackwood Enterprises building, its glass façade reflecting the sky like a mirror. As she stepped out, she caught sight of Nathan standing near the entrance, his dark suit impeccably tailored, his expression unreadable.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause.
"You’re late," he said, his voice cool.
Evelyn arched a brow. "By two minutes. I’m sure the company will survive."
A flicker of amusement crossed his face before he schooled his features back into neutrality. "Victoria’s already inside. She’s been waiting."
Evelyn’s pulse quickened. "Then let’s not keep her waiting any longer."
Inside the boardroom, Victoria Hayes sat at the far end of the table, her crimson nails tapping against the polished wood. She smiled as they entered—a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
"Ah, the dynamic duo," she purred. "I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about our little meeting."
Nathan took his seat at the head of the table, his gaze sharp. "Let’s get to the point, Victoria. What do you want?"
Victoria leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "The same thing I’ve always wanted—a seat at the table where the real decisions are made."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "You already have one."
"Not the one that matters," Victoria countered smoothly. "The merger with Sinclair Media is too important to leave in inexperienced hands."
Evelyn’s temper flared. "In case you’ve forgotten, I am Sinclair Media."
Victoria’s smile widened. "For now."
The air in the room grew thick with tension. Nathan’s voice cut through it like a blade. "Enough. The merger proceeds as planned. Evelyn retains full control of her company’s assets."
Victoria’s expression darkened. "You’re making a mistake."
Nathan’s gaze never wavered. "Then it’s mine to make."
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, with a sharp exhale, Victoria rose from her seat. "This isn’t over."
Evelyn watched her leave, the door clicking shut behind her. She turned to Nathan. "Why did you back me?"
He met her eyes, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Because you’re right."
It wasn’t the whole truth—she could tell. But for now, it was enough.
As they stepped out of the boardroom together, Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that the real battle had only just begun.
Evelyn's biting sarcasm sliced through the corridor like a razor. Each word landed like a stinging slap across Edward and Penelope's faces—more brutal than any direct insult.
The humiliation was exquisite. Their complexions drained to parchment-white, veins throbbing at their temples as if they might collapse from sheer outrage.
With a final, honeyed jab, Evelyn added, "Am I wrong, Mr. and Mrs. Cowell? Such a shame you failed the compatibility test. Almost poetic, really."
Marcus nearly applauded. God, this is cathartic.
Penelope crumpled to the floor, trembling. Bloodshot eyes darted away from the crowd, yet her lips still twisted in defiance. "We—we're elderly, you can't expect—" Lies. They'd never considered Celeste's feelings, only her duty as their sacrificial lamb.
"Pathetic," Julian sneered, releasing Edward with a shove that sent the older man sprawling against the wall. The indignity of being chastised by their juniors left them seething.
Edward, despite his undignified position, bellowed, "This is Cowell family business! Outsiders like you have no right—get out!"
Evelyn's smile turned lethal. "Oh, but I insist on staying. In fact, I'll make sure everyone knows how you treated your own flesh and blood."
Penelope's shriek pierced the air. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Afraid?" Marcus drawled, stepping forward. "Weren't you just demanding the school 'expose' Celeste? Maybe take a long look in the mirror first."
Penelope gaped like a suffocating fish.
Evelyn and Marcus exchanged a glance—a silent well played. Nathan, wedged between them, sulked. Hey, I helped too.
Edward spat, "Have you all gone mad? This has nothing to do with you! Celeste cut ties with the Blackwoods!"
Julian's voice dropped to subzero. "The broken engagement was my failure. I wasn't worthy of her." His gaze turned glacial as he loomed over the couple. "But make no mistake—Celeste's life? Her pain? That concerns me deeply." A pause, loaded with venom. "There's something you've forgotten—"
"You don’t know yet, do you? Your precious daughter is carrying an STD. She got it from Vincent Holloway. The reason she was attacked today? She tried to ambush Celeste with a syringe. She deliberately waited there, plotting to harm her, and now she’s reaping what she sowed. She loves pretending to be Celeste, doesn’t she? Well, she got exactly what she deserved!"
Edward and Penelope froze, their faces draining of color.
An STD? How?
"No! That’s impossible!" Penelope shrieked, her voice cracking.
Suddenly, the odd behavior of the doctors and nurses made sense—their hushed whispers, the way they avoided direct answers. And the police had mentioned having "urgent questions" for Isabelle, unrelated to the stabbing.
If Julian’s words were true, then Isabelle had knowingly tried to spread her disease. That wasn’t just reckless—it was criminal.
"If you still think Celeste should lift a finger to save her after this, you’re worse than monsters," Julian spat.
Edward and Penelope’s faces burned with humiliation. The revelation had struck them like a thunderbolt. But Julian wasn’t done.
"Listen carefully. Keep your precious Isabelle far away from me and Celeste. If I ever catch her—or either of you—meddling in our lives again, I’ll make sure your family becomes the laughingstock of the entire world. You’ll learn what it means to be utterly despised."
He didn’t need the Blackwood family’s influence to make good on that threat. As an A-list actor, his words alone carried enough weight to send chills down Marcus Donovan’s spine.
Edward and Penelope trembled, their anger drowned out by raw fear.
"Fine. We won’t ask for her kidney. But must you sever all ties?" Edward rasped.
Julian scoffed. "Ties? What ties? Did any of you ever treat her like family? Being associated with you is the last thing she wants. Wake up. You lost the right to call yourselves her parents long ago."
His usual composure had shattered in the face of their shamelessness.
"You—!" Edward choked on his fury, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Penelope, meanwhile, dissolved into tears. She turned to Nathan, desperate. "Is this how the Blackwoods raise their children? Threatening elders who’ve been family friends for generations?"
Nathan’s expression remained icy. "Let me ask you something. Is it part of your family’s values to let your diseased daughter knock on my brother’s door in the middle of the night? What exactly was she planning?"
Edward and Penelope paled, their mouths snapping shut under the weight of his glare.
When Isabelle woke from anesthesia, her screams echoed through the hospital. The moment her fingers brushed the jagged scar splitting her face, her wails turned hysterical.
Her love life was in ruins. Her career was over. Her entire existence had crumbled.
Edward stared blankly at his own hands, remembering how often they had struck Celeste. A bitter, broken laugh escaped him—more of a sob than anything else.
Then came the call from Reginald, the current head of the Cowell family. His voice was laced with fury as he ordered them to act as if Celeste had never existed—and to never dare approach her again. If they did, they’d be exiled from the family for good.
The line went dead. Edward and Penelope stood in silence, their hollow gazes fixed on Isabelle. They had spent years doting on her overseas, but now, everything had changed.
From that moment on, the three of them vanished from Celeste’s world.
When Celeste finally turned on her phone, the first thing she did was message Julian, asking about his injury.
Julian, who had been lounging at home while nursing his wounds, bolted upright, his heart racing.
I'm no longer blacklisted! She's unblocked me! Hooray!
The moment Evelyn confirmed Celeste would visit the Blackwood manor, Julian practically flew down the stairs, his excitement causing a minor earthquake in the house. Margaret, Sophia, and Evelyn, who had been engrossed in a drama series, nearly jumped out of their seats.
When they demanded an explanation, his grin was infectious—soon, all three women were buzzing with anticipation.
Julian rushed outside to wait for Celeste, but before long, he stormed back in, dragging someone behind him.
His face was thunderous.
It was Genevieve, who was supposed to return home that evening.
Margaret blinked. What in the world happened? Julian looked ready to murder someone, while Genevieve’s eyes were red-rimmed, her lips trembling.
Evelyn discreetly checked the system. Oh.
Genevieve had secretly gotten herself a boyfriend.
Margaret and Sophia gasped in unison.
Evelyn’s inner monologue continued. When Julian had stepped outside to wait for Celeste, he’d spotted Genevieve with a blond man. The guy had a cigarette dangling from his lips, blowing smoke directly into her face. One arm was wrapped possessively around her waist, while the other had slipped beneath her skirt, fingers tracing her thigh.
Julian had seen red.
Margaret and Sophia’s eyes widened in horror. Our baby sister—tainted by some random man?