Chapter 50

Nathan reined in his horse abruptly, his piercing gaze locking onto Evelyn. The silence between them grew heavy as he remained motionless, his expression unreadable.

She was breathtakingly beautiful yet utterly unpredictable. Every time he thought he understood her, she'd prove him wrong.

Her questions always carried hidden traps. Approaching her felt like stepping toward a precipice - one wrong move and he'd fall into darkness.

Did he still have feelings for her? The uncertainty gnawed at him. One thing was certain - he regretted ending their marriage too hastily.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, a faint smile playing on her lips while frost glimmered in her eyes.

"Oh, forgive my careless words. A man like Mr. Sterling, with his heart of ice, wouldn't be swayed by such trivial past matters."

She continued smoothly, "Business comes first, doesn't it? As a shrewd entrepreneur, you understand that better than anyone."

"What are you really trying to say?" Nathan's voice dropped dangerously low, his stormy expression darkening.

Unfazed, Evelyn countered, "If our past isn't the reason you're blocking Kingsley Industries from the project, then there must be another explanation."

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her expression turning daring. "Shall we settle this with a race?"

"If you win, Kingsley withdraws permanently. If I win, Sterling Enterprises accepts our partnership."

Nathan had trained in equestrian sports since childhood, his skills rivaling professionals. Yet Evelyn radiated absolute confidence in her ability to defeat him today.

Victor Langley observed them with apparent neutrality, though his bias showed when he remarked, "Ms. Carter's proposal demonstrates remarkable sincerity. Her riding prowess speaks for itself."

"The only question remains - does Mr. Sterling have faith in his own abilities?"

Nathan's brow furrowed slightly as his obsidian eyes bored into Evelyn. "Why should I entertain this challenge?"

Evelyn shrugged nonchalantly. "Very well. When I leave, I'll inform all of Pamore how Nathan Sterling cowers before his ex-wife."

She'd pushed him to the edge. If Nathan ignored her provocation now, he wouldn't be the man she remembered.

"Deal," he bit out coldly.

Evelyn's crimson lips curved triumphantly. "Naturally."

The race would cover two thousand meters - three laps around the course. From the viewing platform, spectators could clearly see the riders approaching the starting line.

Evelyn had chosen the same chestnut Warmblood again. She adjusted her position, legs pressing firmly against the horse's flanks as they waited at the starting point.

Turning to Nathan, she flashed a brilliant smile beneath her helmet. "Prepared to lose, Mr. Sterling?"

Racing against her ex-husband for a business deal wasn't something she'd ever anticipated. The irony thrilled her more than the impending competition.

She would defeat Nathan, crushing his arrogance beneath her boots just as he'd trampled her heart during their three-year marriage.

Nathan caught Evelyn's radiant smile, committing the rare sight to memory. That dazzling expression - one he'd never witnessed during their marriage - made his breath catch.

The starting whistle shattered his thoughts. Evelyn's horse lunged forward half a stride ahead.

Nathan snapped to attention and gave chase immediately.

Spectators watched breathlessly as the stunning pair raced neck-and-neck around the track. Their professional-level competition held everyone spellbound.

Evelyn maintained a slight lead through the first lap, her horse galloping at full speed.

Nathan closed the gap on the curve, overtaking her by a hair's breadth in the second lap.

His chiseled profile, intense focus, and the way his muscles strained against his shirt as he gripped the reins elicited admiring gasps from female onlookers.

As they entered the final lap, the competitors were perfectly matched. Nathan held a razor-thin advantage, ratcheting up the tension among spectators.

The outcome hung in the balance.