Chapter 5

Eleanor Blackwell couldn't believe Evelyn Carter had actually dared to speak to her like that.

Her jeweled finger, weighed down by an enormous emerald ring, jabbed toward Evelyn. "How dare you use that tone with me? Repeat what you just said!"

Not a trace of fear showed on Evelyn's face.

She met Eleanor's glare head-on. "Since Isabella is moving in, let her do your errands. I'm done being your servant." Each word was enunciated with icy precision.

For the first time in years, Evelyn felt an exhilarating rush of liberation.

Eleanor's face turned crimson with rage. "You ungrateful—"

"Mother!" Vanessa Sterling suddenly grasped Eleanor's arm, whispering urgently. "Evelyn's clearly upset about last night. I heard Nathan couldn't even—"

Vanessa's exaggerated retelling of events made her smirk with malicious delight.

Eleanor's expression shifted instantly. "So you're taking your marital failures out on me? How pathetic."

Evelyn had already reached the grand staircase. She paused mid-step, fists clenched as she fought the urge to retaliate physically.

Turning slowly, she delivered her counterstrike with chilling calm. "For three years you've blamed my supposed infertility. Why not have Nathan examined too?"

Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "After all, nothing could rouse him last night despite my best efforts. Makes one wonder where the real problem lies."

The color drained from Eleanor's face. Even Vanessa gasped.

"You—" Eleanor sputtered before finding her voice. "Mark my words, Evelyn, I'll make sure Nathan divorces you immediately!"

In the past, Evelyn had tolerated their abuse for Margaret's sake. No more.

"By all means," Evelyn shrugged, descending the stairs with effortless grace. "Do enlighten me when the papers are signed."

The slam of the front door echoed through the mansion.

An uneasy suspicion gripped Eleanor. "Search her room! That suitcase looked suspiciously heavy—who knows what she stole!"

Minutes later, Vanessa rushed downstairs clutching a legal folder. "Nothing's missing but—this was on the nightstand!"

Eleanor snatched it open. Her breath hitched.

Divorce papers. Already signed by Evelyn.

Fury propelled Eleanor to call Nathan immediately. "Your wife left divorce papers! And she's spreading vile lies about your—your manhood!"

Nathan was mid-presentation when the call came. At his mother's words, he abruptly dismissed his entire boardroom.

"Calm down, Mother," he growled, shrugging into his suit jacket.

"Calm? This is perfect timing with Isabella returning! But she doesn't get to leave first!" Eleanor shrieked.

Nathan hung up mid-tirade. His knuckles whitened around his phone. The docile Evelyn he knew would never—

Then he remembered last night's humiliation. Scrolling through contacts, he realized with shock this was his first call to his wife in three years.

Before the call connected, Simon burst through the executive doors. "Mr. Sterling! Evelyn just emailed her resignation!"

Simon gulped air. "She's overseeing twelve active projects—including the critical Darai Medical Expo. There's no transition plan!"

Nathan's expression darkened further when Evelyn's phone went straight to voicemail.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable—"

She'd blocked him.