Chapter 145

"But I came prepared, thanks to you." Evelyn's fingers tightened around her purse straps. "You gave me the nanotechnology intel beforehand. Otherwise, Victoria might have completely humiliated me today."

The conference room's glass walls reflected Harrison's smirk as he leaned against the marble table. "So, Evelyn... Are we still moving forward with Nexa on this collaboration?"

Nathan's shadow fell across the doorway just as Harrison reached out to tousle Evelyn's hair. His touch lingered a second too long, fingertips brushing her cheek. "What do you think, darling?"

Evelyn stepped back, putting professional distance between them. "Business is business. Personal feelings shouldn't interfere."

Harrison's chuckle vibrated through the air conditioning. "Exactly. Though Nexa will need to prove their sincerity first." His gaze dropped to her lips. "But before we continue... I've been meaning to ask you something."

Sunlight caught the gold flecks in Evelyn's widened eyes, making Nathan's breath hitch from his hidden vantage point.

"From now on," Harrison traced the edge of his tie, "call me Harry. Everyone uses Harrison. It's so... impersonal."

"Harry?" The unfamiliar nickname tasted strange on Evelyn's tongue.

Harrison's dimple appeared. "Just like that."

Evelyn's stomach twisted. Twenty-eight years of calling him Harrison couldn't be undone in one conversation. "It feels... wrong."

"You'll adjust." His confidence was infuriating. "Come on, I'll drive you home."

When his large hand engulfed hers, Evelyn instinctively flinched. Harrison's grip tightened, his palm radiating heat that reminded her too sharply of Nathan's habitual coldness.

Across the lobby, Nathan's knuckles turned white around his car keys. Simon barely dared to breathe beside him.

"Mr. Sterling... Should we head back to the office?"

Nathan didn't move. Even after the elevator doors swallowed Evelyn and Harrison, the glacial fury in his posture remained. When he finally spoke, his voice cracked. "Simon... Tell me honestly. Was I the villain in her story?"

Simon's tie suddenly felt too tight. The truth - about the affairs, the neglect, the Isabella debacle - stuck in his throat. He'd never seen Nathan's armor this shattered.

"Sir... We've all made mistakes. What matters now is-"

"Don't." Nathan's laugh was bitter. "Just tell me - is there any chance she could forgive me? After everything?"

Simon chose his words like stepping through a minefield. "Ms. Carter has a compassionate heart. But sir... The baby with Ms. Delaney..."

Nathan's shoulders slumped. "You think she even cares about that anymore?"

The unspoken answer hung between them as Nathan's reflection stared back from the polished marble - a ghost of the man who'd once held Evelyn's heart.