Chapter 151

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. Evelyn stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the cool silk sheets. Beside her, Nathaniel was already awake, his piercing blue eyes studying her with that familiar intensity.

"You're staring," she murmured, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"I can't help it," he admitted, his voice rough with sleep. "Not when you look like this."

Evelyn rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the warmth spreading through her chest. Three years of marriage, and he still had the power to make her heart race with just a glance.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, interrupting the moment. She reached for it, frowning at the notification.

"What is it?" Nathaniel asked, sensing the shift in her mood.

"Gregory," she sighed. "He wants to meet. Says it's urgent."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. Gregory Wilson, her business partner, had been acting strangely lately—more secretive, more distant. Evelyn had brushed it off as stress from their latest project, but something about this felt different.

"Want me to come with you?" Nathaniel offered, already shifting to get out of bed.

Evelyn shook her head. "No, I should handle this alone. Besides, you have that meeting with Edward today."

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. His grandfather had been relentless lately, pushing him to take on more responsibilities within Martin Group. The weight of legacy was a constant shadow over them both.

"Fine," he conceded, pressing a kiss to her temple. "But call me if anything feels off."

Evelyn nodded, already mentally preparing for the conversation ahead.

The café was bustling when she arrived, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of patrons. Gregory sat in their usual corner booth, his fingers drumming restlessly against the table.

"You look like you haven't slept," Evelyn remarked as she slid into the seat across from him.

Gregory ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Because I haven’t." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Evelyn, we have a problem. A big one."

Her stomach twisted. "What kind of problem?"

He hesitated, then pulled out a folder from his briefcase. Inside were blueprints—their latest project, the waterfront development they’d poured months into. Except someone had altered the designs. Significantly.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "This isn't our work."

Gregory's expression was grim. "No. And if these get submitted to the city council, we're looking at massive legal repercussions. Not to mention our reputation—"

"Who did this?" she demanded, her fingers tightening around the papers.

Gregory's gaze flickered away. "That's the thing… I think it's an inside job."

Evelyn's blood ran cold.

Because if Gregory was right, then someone in their own company was trying to sabotage them. And she had no idea who to trust.

Outside Evelyn's office building, Nathaniel sat in his sleek black car, his fingers drumming impatiently against the steering wheel as he watched the entrance. His sharp gaze caught movement—Evelyn stepping out, her face alight with a rare, carefree smile as she chatted animatedly with the man beside her.

Nathaniel's grip tightened. He didn’t need to hear their conversation to recognize the warmth in her expression—something she hadn’t shown him in months.

His phone was in his hand before he realized it, dialing her number with practiced ease.

Across the street, Evelyn paused mid-laugh, pulling her phone from her purse. The smile faded as she answered, her voice cool. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Nathaniel's tone was deceptively calm.

"Just left work. Gregory and I are grabbing dinner." Her reply was clipped, guarded.

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. "Gregory? So now he's just 'Gregory'?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Nathaniel, don’t do this."

"Do what? Ask why my wife is suddenly having dinner with another man?" His voice dropped dangerously. "Or should I ask if this is why you’ve been so eager to push for a divorce?"

Evelyn’s spine stiffened. She glanced around, her eyes landing on Nathaniel’s car parked across the street. Of course he was here. Watching.

She lowered her voice. "He’s my business partner. We’re discussing a project. That’s all."

"Is that what you’re calling it now?" Nathaniel’s laugh was humorless. "Funny how you never mentioned these cozy dinners before."

Evelyn’s patience snapped. "Because I knew you’d react like this! You don’t trust me, Nathaniel. Not with my work, not with my choices—not with anything."

Beside her, Gregory shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension. "Evelyn," he murmured, "should we reschedule?"

She shook her head, then met Nathaniel’s gaze through the windshield, her voice steady. "No. We’re going to dinner. And no, Nathaniel, it’s not what you’re thinking. But at this point, I don’t care if you believe me."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. "So that’s it? You’d rather throw away our marriage than admit the truth?"

Evelyn’s fingers curled into fists. "The truth is, we don’t have a marriage left to throw away. Not when you see betrayal in every conversation I have with another man."

Gregory cleared his throat. "Evelyn, the reservation—"

"I know." She cut him off, then spoke into the phone one last time. "Goodbye, Nathaniel."

The line went dead.

Nathaniel watched as Evelyn turned away, Gregory’s hand hovering near her back as they walked toward his car. A muscle ticked in Nathaniel’s jaw.

This wasn’t over.