Chapter 17

"A marriage of convenience isn't so bad as long as you respect each other's boundaries," Nathan remarked casually, swirling his whiskey.

"You say that because profit is all you care about." Adrian scoffed. "We're nothing alike!"

"I want fireworks when I meet my future wife." His eyes sparkled with idealism. "She'll be stunningly gorgeous, razor-sharp intelligent - that's my dream woman."

Nathan waved him off. "You wouldn't get it."

Seeing no point in arguing, Nathan steered the conversation back to business. "Any solutions for the expo situation?"

Adrian thumped his chest confidently. "The Prescotts and Kingsley Industries are partners on this. One call to Dominic and it's sorted."

He reached for his phone, dialing with theatrical flair.

The call went unanswered. When Adrian tried again, Dominic declined it outright - the rejection couldn't be clearer.

Adrian set his phone down awkwardly, cheeks burning.

He'd promised his best friend this would be easy. Now he looked like a fool.

Rubbing his neck sheepishly, he offered, "Must be tied up with something. Let me treat you to a proper midnight feast. We'll figure this out later."

Nathan followed him out, already knowing the truth - Adrian couldn't help him here. His only hope remained Evelyn.

Meanwhile, in an exclusive VIP-only atelier where every stitch was couture perfection, Dominic lounged on a leather sofa radiating authority. He declined the call without hesitation, watching Evelyn being measured for a new gown.

"Nathan Sterling's in Darai," he mentioned casually. "Asking Adrian for favors."

His eyes studied Evelyn carefully, searching for any residual affection.

Evelyn remained impassive, turning slightly for the designer. "Let me handle Nathan."

The mirror reflected a transformed woman - radiant, confident, a far cry from the disheveled shadow who'd lived under the Sterlings' roof.

This was the real Evelyn Carter. Nathan Sterling could rot for all she cared.

"Darling!" A whirlwind of perfume and silk crashed into Evelyn, nearly toppling her. Olivia Sinclair clung to her like a koala. "Three years without a word! Do I mean nothing to you?"

Evelyn's eyes glistened. "You'll always mean everything." Her voice cracked. "I was... ashamed."

She swallowed hard. "You warned me about Nathan, but I wouldn't listen. Even fought with you. And now..."

"After the divorce, I couldn't face you."

Years flashed by - shuttering their boutique dreams to become Nathan's secretary at Sterling Enterprises. Olivia's protests. The bitter fight. Her friend's exile to Frenda.

Olivia gripped Evelyn's hands fiercely. "That idiot threw away a diamond! Welcome home, babe. Anyone messes with you now, they answer to me!"

Evelyn's tears spilled over as she laughed.

"None of that now." Olivia dabbed her cheeks with a tissue. "We're celebrating tonight! To dumping trash and upgrading to luxury!"

Evelyn squeezed her hand tighter, glancing at Dominic's watchful gaze.

How could she have been so blind? Trading unconditional love for a man who never deserved her?

Blood and chosen family - that was real. The rest was just painful lessons.