Chapter 13
"Why am I the last to know you're back? Seriously, Evelyn! Did our sibling bond mean nothing to you?"
The familiar teasing tone belonged to her third brother, Julian Hartwell.
Julian wasn't related by blood. The Kingsleys had adopted him as an infant after his biological parents abandoned him at the hospital.
Evelyn didn't glance up from her financial reports. "Sit down and stop being dramatic. I'm working."
Three days had passed since Dominic assigned her this mountain of corporate documents from Kingsley Industries, and she'd barely made a dent.
Her phone hadn't stopped ringing either - calls from global partners, investors, and media outlets left her head spinning.
Julian flopped onto the leather sofa uninvited. "Dom's working you too hard. This executive training is ridiculous. Come tour Europe with me instead."
"Not interested." Evelyn organized another stack of files.
"Remember when paparazzi thought we were dating? If Dom hadn't intervened, your fans would've stoned me with rotten tomatoes!"
"You still bring that up?" Julian chuckled.
"Clearly you're obsessed with me if you remember every little moment."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "You need professional help."
His grin widened. "You're the only therapist I need."
After years of his playful flirting, his antics no longer fazed her.
Despite his superstar status as an international pop icon, Julian always made time for her.
When she'd stubbornly married Nathan, Julian had canceled his sold-out London show to fly back and "have words" with the Sterling heir. Dominic had barely restrained him.
Looking back, she couldn't fathom choosing Nathan over the exceptional men already in her life.
"My phone's ringing. One moment."
"Yes, Mr. President."
Silence reclaimed the office after the call ended.
Vice President of Kingsley Industries.
The title carried immense weight, second only to Dominic himself.
Evelyn clenched her pen. This time, she wouldn't disappoint her brother.
"Surprise!"
On her second day in the executive suite, her office door burst open.
"Why am I the last one to know you're back? I can't believe you kept this from me, Evelyn! Did our friendship mean nothing?"
Evelyn recognized that playful yet wounded tone immediately. It belonged to her third brother, Julian Hartwell.
Julian wasn't related by blood. The Kingsleys had adopted him as an infant after his biological parents abandoned him at the hospital.
She didn't glance up from the financial reports. "Sit down and stop being dramatic. I'm working."
Three days had passed, and the mountain of documents Dominic's assistant delivered still overwhelmed her.
Her phone hadn't stopped ringing either - calls from global organizations, investors, media outlets. The sheer volume left her head spinning.
Julian flopped onto the leather sofa, unfazed by her sharp tone.
"Dominic's pushing you too hard. This isn't training, it's torture." He stretched his arms behind his head. "Come tour Europe with me. Consider it a mental health break."
"Not interested." Evelyn organized another stack of files.
"Remember when your fans mistook me for your secret lover?" He chuckled. "If Dominic hadn't intervened, I'd still be picking eggshells out of my hair."
"You're still hung up on that?" She finally looked up, arching an eyebrow.
His grin widened. "You remembered too! Admit it, you're obsessed with me."
"Get therapy." She rolled her eyes.
"You're the only therapist I need." He winked.
Years of Julian's shameless flirting had immunized her to such remarks.
Despite his international pop star status and grueling schedule, Julian always made time for her.
When she'd stubbornly married Nathan, Julian had canceled his Madison Square Garden concert, ready to fly to Sterling Manor and punch him. Dominic had intervened just in time.
Looking back, she couldn't fathom choosing Nathan when men like Julian existed.
Her phone vibrated with an unknown number.
Julian fell silent as she moved toward the window.
"Hello, is this the Kingsley Industries executive assistant? I'm calling regarding Sterling Enterprises' participation in the Dar—"
Simon.
Dominic had blocked all Sterling numbers. They must have used a burner phone - undoubtedly Nathan's idea.
"The sponsorship terms were clear. Your contribution fell short." Her voice remained steady.
Sterling Enterprises had only qualified because she'd begged Dominic on Nathan's behalf.
"Ms. Carter?" Simon's shock crackled through the line.
Having worked alongside her for years, he'd recognize her voice anywhere.
Evelyn neither confirmed nor denied. "I'm busy. Goodbye."
She exhaled sharply after hanging up.
Simon was definitely in Nathan's office. Nathan was probably listening in, that familiar calculating gaze fixed on the speakerphone.
Just as she predicted, Simon handed the phone to Nathan, his face pale.
"Mr. Sterling... that sounded exactly like Ms. Carter. How could she—"
Nathan's jaw clenched. He'd recognized her voice too.
Recently, Simon reported failing to locate Evelyn's supposed rural parents.
The entire backstory had been fabricated.
For three years, she'd deceived the Sterling family.
"Sir... about the expo?" Simon hesitated at Nathan's stormy expression.
Nathan's lips thinned. "Keep calling."