Chapter 368

Nathan gazed at Evelyn, his lips curling into a faint smile. "It's done. Let's head back."

When they returned to Pamore, Evelyn's phone buzzed with a call from Dominic.

"Evelyn, have you lost your mind? Going alone to meet someone as dangerous as Damian Castillo? Do you realize what could have happened?"

"Dominic, I'm perfectly fine. And Harrison was with me the whole time. Now that Damian's been arrested, you can stop worrying."

Dominic already knew the outcome.

Yet it stung how little she seemed to need him these days. Such a major event, and she hadn't even bothered to inform him beforehand.

The realization left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Don't ever pull a stunt like that again, Evelyn."

She sighed into the phone. "I won't, I promise."

After exchanging a few more words, Dominic finally ended the call. Leonard stood nearby, his brow furrowed with concern. "Is Evelyn alright? Was she hurt?"

Dominic pocketed his phone. "She's fine, Grandpa. That Whitmore boy was with her. She wouldn't do anything too reckless."

At the mention of Harrison, Leonard's expression brightened slightly. "Her taste in men has certainly improved since last time. Though it's a shame about the Prescott alliance. All those years of friendship between our families..."

His voice trailed off with unmistakable regret. The Kingsley and Prescott families had shared decades of camaraderie. A marriage alliance would have been the perfect culmination.

But matters of the heart couldn't be forced.

"Grandpa, we have to trust Evelyn's judgment. She won't disappoint us this time."

"Dominic, don't just focus on your sister. You're not getting any younger either. When are you going to introduce your girlfriend to this old man?"

The moment the conversation turned to him, Dominic became evasive. "I've got urgent matters at the office. I should go."

He made a hasty exit before Leonard could respond. The elderly man shook his head as he watched his grandson retreat.

"Why does he act like a lovesick teenager when it comes to relationships? Ah well, young people these days..."

Several days passed in a whirlwind of activity for Evelyn. She'd taken charge of multiple new projects, her schedule packed to the brim.

Today found her in the business district, preparing for yet another client meeting over dinner.

Weeks of negotiations and meticulous preparation had led to this moment. Yet the other party remained frustratingly noncommittal, dragging their feet at every turn.

Before entering the private dining room, Maxwell couldn't contain his frustration. "Ms. Carter, we've bent over backwards for them. They're clearly not interested in working with us. Why are we still wasting our time?"

Evelyn smoothed her expression. "Let's meet their CEO today. If they're still unwilling, we'll walk away."

Taking a deep breath, she fixed a professional smile in place before pushing open the door. "My apologies for keeping you waiting."

The words died on her lips as she froze mid-step.

Sitting at the table was none other than Nathan Sterling.

"Mr. Sterling, what an unexpected surprise!" She recovered her composure so swiftly that no one could have noticed her momentary shock.

Nathan's intense gaze never left her face. It had been weeks since he'd last seen her. She looked thinner now, her features more sharply defined.

"This isn't a coincidence," he said quietly. "I was waiting for you."