Chapter 164

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's penthouse, casting golden patterns across the marble floors. She stood by the window, cradling a steaming cup of coffee, her mind racing with the events of last night. Nathaniel had been distant again, his eyes clouded with something she couldn't decipher.

Her phone buzzed on the countertop. It was a message from Gregory. "Emergency meeting at the office. Summit Realty is pulling out of the project."

Evelyn's grip tightened around her phone. This was the third client this month. She quickly typed back, "On my way."

As she grabbed her coat, the intercom buzzed. Alfred's voice came through, calm as ever. "Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Martin is here to see you."

Her heart skipped a beat. Nathaniel never visited her at home unless it was urgent.

She opened the door to find him standing there, his usual composed demeanor replaced by visible tension. His jaw was set, his eyes dark with unspoken words.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice low.

Evelyn stepped aside, letting him in. The air between them crackled with unresolved tension.

"Is this about Summit Realty?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Nathaniel shook his head. "No. It's about Isabella."

The name sent a chill down her spine. Isabella Davis—his ex, the woman who had haunted their relationship from the beginning.

"What about her?" Evelyn crossed her arms, bracing herself.

Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of frustration. "She's back in town. And she's not alone."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "What do you mean?"

He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "She's with Sebastian Wilson."

The name hit her like a punch to the gut. Sebastian Wilson—the ruthless CEO of Summit Realty, the man who had just pulled out of her project.

Evelyn's mind spun. "You think this is connected?"

Nathaniel's silence was answer enough.

Her phone buzzed again. Gregory. "Where are you? The entire team is waiting."

She looked up at Nathaniel, her resolve hardening. "I have to go. But this isn't over."

He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'll handle Isabella. You focus on your project."

As Evelyn rushed out the door, one thought echoed in her mind: This was no coincidence.

The game had just changed.

Gabrielle pondered for a moment before answering, "Couldn't make out her features. She had a scarf wrapped around her face and a wide-brimmed hat. But her eyes? Mesmerizing. And her voice—it sounded oddly familiar. Maybe she's someone from one of our business partners?"

"You're unusually intrigued by this, aren't you?" Evelyn arched a brow.

"Ms. Mitchell, do you know something? You can tell me—I promise I won’t breathe a word." Gabrielle leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Evelyn’s expression shifted subtly, though her tone remained composed. "If you're that eager to know, why not wait for Gregory to return and ask him yourself?"

"Really? You think he’d tell me?" Gabrielle took her words at face value.

Evelyn chuckled, shaking her head. "Enough gossip. Get back to work before your paycheck suffers for being too nosy."

Gabrielle clamped her mouth shut, taking the hint, and scurried back to her desk.

Watching her go, Evelyn couldn’t suppress a small smile. The fog of confusion in her mind was beginning to clear.

Yet, a nagging question lingered. Who was that mysterious woman with the hauntingly familiar voice?

"Could she really be a client?"

Shaking her head, Evelyn couldn’t piece it together. Still, a quiet warmth spread through her at the thought of Nathaniel expanding his social circle.

After finishing her tea, Evelyn turned her attention to reorganizing the project files. From inception to suspension, the project had consumed over five hundred meticulously drafted pages. Every detail was etched into her memory.

"Is this truly the end?"

Lost in thought, Evelyn’s phone buzzed with an incoming message.

A genuine smile curved her lips as she read it, her fingers swiftly tapping out a reply.

Just then, the office door swung open, and Gregory strode in, catching her mid-smile. "What’s got you so cheerful?" he asked, tilting his head.

Glancing up, Evelyn replied, "Just chatting with a friend."

Gregory settled into the chair beside her and handed her a steaming cup. "Your usual."

"Thanks," she murmured, accepting it but not yet taking a sip. Instead, her gaze fixed on him. "I saw you downstairs at the café earlier. Who was that woman?"

Gregory’s posture stiffened momentarily, surprise flickering across his face before he schooled his features. "You saw her? She’s just an acquaintance, nothing more."

"Then why the tension? I only caught her from behind. Gabrielle mentioned she was striking. Do I know her?" Evelyn propped her chin on her hand, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Relaxing, Gregory offered a soft smile. "No tension. Just didn’t want any misunderstandings."

"Fair enough," she conceded, pressing further. "So, who is she? Someone I’ve met?"

Her eyes held his, waiting.