Chapter 15

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn’s office, illuminating the blueprints spread across her desk. She traced a finger along the lines of the design, her mind racing with possibilities. The Pineview Villa project was her biggest challenge yet, and she refused to let anything—or anyone—derail her focus.

A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, not looking up.

The door swung open, and Gregory stepped inside, his usual confident stride slightly hesitant. "Evelyn, we need to talk."

She finally glanced up, her brows knitting together at the tension in his voice. "What’s wrong?"

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Summit Realty just pulled out of the deal. Sebastian Wilson called me personally. He said they’re shifting their investments elsewhere."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. "What? That doesn’t make sense. We were finalizing the contracts yesterday."

Gregory shook his head. "I don’t know what changed, but he was adamant. No explanations, just a flat refusal."

She clenched her fists, frustration bubbling beneath her skin. Summit Realty had been their key investor. Without them, the project was in jeopardy.

Then, a chilling thought struck her.

"Isabella."

Gregory frowned. "What about her?"

Evelyn’s lips pressed into a thin line. "She’s been circling Nathaniel again. What if she’s behind this?"

Before Gregory could respond, Evelyn’s phone buzzed. A message from Nathaniel lit up the screen:

"We need to talk. Tonight. Alone."

Her heart pounded. Something was wrong.

Gregory noticed her expression. "What is it?"

She swallowed hard. "I think the game just changed."

The Martin estate loomed before her as Evelyn stepped out of the car, the evening air thick with tension. Alfred greeted her at the door, his usual composed demeanor tinged with unease.

"Mr. Martin is waiting for you in the study," he murmured.

She nodded, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she made her way through the grand hallway. The door to the study was slightly ajar. She pushed it open.

Nathaniel stood by the fireplace, his back to her, shoulders rigid.

"You wanted to see me," she said, keeping her voice steady.

He turned slowly, his dark eyes unreadable. "Summit Realty withdrew from your project."

She stiffened. "I know."

His jaw tightened. "Did you know Isabella met with Sebastian Wilson yesterday?"

The confirmation hit her like a punch to the gut.

Evelyn forced herself to breathe. "I suspected as much."

Nathaniel stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. "She’s playing a dangerous game. And she’s using you to get to me."

Evelyn met his gaze, defiance sparking in her chest. "Then let’s not give her what she wants."

A slow, calculating smile curved his lips. "I was hoping you’d say that."

The air between them crackled with unspoken plans.

Isabella had made her move.

Now, it was their turn.

Nathaniel stood motionless, his expression unreadable.

Seeing him like this, Isabella hesitated. She truly didn’t want to cause any trouble or arguments with Nathaniel. After all, this was a critical time—he was in the middle of divorcing Evelyn.

But Isabella couldn’t resist testing his resolve.

Her fingers tightened slightly around his sleeve. "Nathaniel, stay with me tonight. Just one night. I want you here."

Nathaniel’s gaze remained cold, a flicker of impatience in his eyes. "Isabella, think carefully. If word gets out that I stayed overnight, the media will twist it. I don’t care about rumors, but you will. My grandfather and parents already disapprove of you. Do you really want to give them another reason?"

Isabella bit her lip, then reluctantly let go.

As much as she hated backing down, she couldn’t risk angering him.

Ever since she woke up, no matter how late she called, Nathaniel would come—but he never stayed. It unsettled her. If he truly loved her, wouldn’t he want to be with her all the time?

Still, she told herself he was only protecting her reputation.

After leaving the hospital, Nathaniel drove straight to the exclusive Vermillion Club.

He and a few close friends owned the place, a high-end establishment frequented by Mayby’s elite.

Nathaniel had his own private lounge there. When he arrived, his friends were already waiting, drinks in hand.

As he took his seat, one of them—Thomas Ellsworth—poured him a glass of whiskey. "So, what’s the plan once Isabella’s discharged?"

Nathaniel lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Once she’s fully recovered, my marriage to Evelyn ends. Then I’ll marry Isabella."

"You’re really going through with the divorce?" Thomas knew better than anyone how Nathaniel and Evelyn interacted. There was still something between them—Evelyn’s eyes softened whenever she looked at him.

Nathaniel nodded. "It’s decided."

Thomas raised a brow. "I don’t get it. Evelyn’s stunning, talented, and you’ve lived together for a year. How do you feel nothing?"

The others chuckled. "Maybe he’s just that devoted to Isabella." They watched as Nathaniel took a long drag from his cigarette.

Nathaniel’s voice was flat. "Maybe."

A strange irritation coiled in his chest. He exhaled a cloud of smoke, obscuring his expression.

Evelyn’s face flashed in his mind—her quiet grace, the way she never complained, no matter how cold he was. But lately, she had changed. Distant. Defiant.

Thomas sighed. "Well, Isabella did nearly die for you. And Evelyn’s young, beautiful—she’ll remarry easily. That Gregory Wilson seems pretty taken with her. Once you’re divorced, they’ll probably—"

"Enough." Nathaniel’s voice was sharp. "Even if we divorce, Evelyn remains under my family’s protection. I won’t tolerate jokes about her."

Thomas shook his head. "Nathaniel, that’s the reality. Once the papers are signed, she’s no longer your concern."