Chapter 156

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she reviewed the final blueprints for the Martin Group's new eco-resort. The project had consumed her every waking moment for weeks.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, straightening her posture.

Gabrielle, her assistant, stepped inside with a tablet in hand. "Evelyn, Mr. Wilson is here to see you. He says it's urgent."

Evelyn frowned. Gregory never dropped by unannounced unless something was wrong. "Send him in."

Gregory strode in moments later, his usual composed demeanor replaced by visible tension. "We have a problem," he said without preamble.

Evelyn's stomach tightened. "What is it?"

"The zoning permits for the eco-resort—they've been blocked."

"What?" She shot to her feet. "How? We submitted everything weeks ago. The city council approved the preliminary plans."

Gregory exhaled sharply. "Someone filed a last-minute objection, citing environmental concerns. The hearing's been pushed back indefinitely."

Evelyn's mind raced. This couldn’t be a coincidence—not when the project was so close to breaking ground. "Who filed the objection?"

Gregory hesitated. "Summit Realty."

Her blood ran cold. Sebastian Wilson’s company. The man had been a thorn in her side ever since she’d rejected his advances at an industry gala months ago.

"This is personal," she muttered, clenching her fists.

Gregory nodded grimly. "I think so too. But we can’t let him derail this project. Nathaniel’s counting on us."

Evelyn took a deep breath, forcing herself to think. "We need to act fast. Schedule a meeting with the city planner. And get me everything you can find on Summit’s recent projects—especially any violations or shortcuts they’ve taken."

Gregory’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "Already on it."

As he turned to leave, Evelyn’s phone buzzed. A message from Nathaniel lit up the screen:

"Dinner tonight? We need to talk."

Her heart skipped. Something in his tone felt off. Was this about the permits? Or something else entirely?

She typed a quick reply. "Of course. 7 PM?"

The response came instantly. "Perfect. I’ll pick you up."

Evelyn set her phone down, her earlier determination mingling with unease. Whatever was coming, she’d face it head-on—just like she always did.

But first, she had a corporate saboteur to outmaneuver.

Evelyn's eyes blazed with a dangerous glint, the intensity of her gaze momentarily freezing Isabella in place.

Seizing the moment, Evelyn spoke with chilling precision. "Shouldn't you be overjoyed about my divorce proposal? Or is there something you're not admitting? Maybe you're not as desperate to marry him as you pretend to be. If that's the case, I might reconsider—but don't come crying to me later."

"You wouldn't dare!" Isabella's eyes widened, a flicker of excitement betraying her shock.

Evelyn smirked. "Test me, and you'll regret it. You saw for yourself—he's the one clinging to this marriage now. So tell me, do you honestly think you can compete with me?"

Isabella's face tightened, but she forced a composed expression. "What's there to boast about? Nathaniel refusing to divorce is just a scheme to get you pregnant. You think you're—"

"Ah!"

Isabella's scream shattered the quiet of the elevator lobby.

Before she could finish, Evelyn grabbed her collar and slammed her against the wall, her eyes icy with fury. "Say that again."

Isabella froze, too terrified to speak, barely daring to breathe.

Evelyn held her gaze, the air thick with tension.

Samuel, alerted by the commotion, rushed over, his eyes widening at the scene. He glanced at the open elevator doors and murmured, "Mrs. Martin, the elevator is ready. Should we leave now?"

Evelyn didn’t look away from Isabella, her voice like steel. "Isabella, don’t push me. Or that wall won’t be the only thing holding you up—it’ll be the balcony."

With that, she released Isabella’s collar, stepping back before turning to Samuel and entering the elevator.

Isabella didn’t follow. She stood rooted to the spot, struggling to steady her breathing.

Evelyn’s aggression had shaken her. For a split second, she’d genuinely feared for her life.

Biting her lip, Isabella turned to Samuel, her voice trembling with indignation. "Is Nathaniel still in meetings?"

"He’s occupied," Samuel replied neutrally.

Isabella nodded, then leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You know about their divorce plans, don’t you?"

Samuel hesitated briefly before responding, "Ms. Davis, Mr. Martin’s personal affairs are confidential. I can’t discuss them."

"Whether you’re allowed to interfere or not doesn’t matter. But you should know who’ll be by Nathaniel’s side after the divorce. Make sure he hears about today’s incident—from you. I won’t let this slide. And if you help me, I won’t forget it."

Samuel remained silent, his gaze dropping to avoid hers.

The tension lingered until Isabella’s phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She shot Samuel a meaningful look. "Samuel, you know who truly matters to Nathaniel."

Her words carried weight, but whether Samuel understood was unclear.

The elevator arrived just then, cutting off further conversation, and Isabella left without another word.

Moments later, Samuel entered Nathaniel’s office to report on his tasks. He hesitated before adding, "Mr. Martin, there was an altercation between Mrs. Martin and Ms. Davis earlier. It turned physical."

Nathaniel’s expression remained unreadable. "Physical?"