Chapter 176

The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, illuminating the blueprints spread across her desk. Her fingers traced the intricate lines of the latest project—a luxury resort in the Maldives. The design was ambitious, but she thrived on challenges.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. A message from Nathaniel:

"Meeting ran late. Dinner at eight?"

She smiled, typing a quick reply. "Perfect. I’ll be ready."

Just as she set her phone down, Gabrielle, her assistant, knocked on the door. "Evelyn, Gregory is here to see you."

Evelyn nodded. "Send him in."

Gregory strode in, his usual confident demeanor slightly off. He dropped a folder onto her desk. "We have a problem."

She flipped it open, scanning the contents. A rival firm, Summit Realty, had just secured a prime piece of land they had been eyeing for months.

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Sebastian Wilson strikes again."

Gregory crossed his arms. "He’s been one step ahead of us lately. We need to act fast."

She tapped her fingers against the desk, mind racing. "Let’s schedule an emergency meeting with the team. We’ll reassess our strategy."

As Gregory left, Evelyn leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling. The competition was fierce, but she refused to lose. Not when she had worked so hard to establish her firm’s reputation.

Her phone buzzed once more—this time, a call from Charlotte.

"Evelyn, you won’t believe what I just heard," Charlotte said, her voice tinged with excitement.

Evelyn raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Cassandra Reed is hosting a charity gala next week. Rumor has it Sebastian will be there."

A slow smile curved Evelyn’s lips. "Perfect. We’ll need tickets."

Charlotte chuckled. "Already on it. But be warned—Isabella might be there too."

Evelyn’s smile faltered for a second before she steeled herself. "Even better. It’s time to face her head-on."

As she ended the call, Evelyn’s gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk—her and Nathaniel on their wedding day. His arms wrapped around her, his smile genuine and warm.

She wouldn’t let anyone—not Sebastian, not Isabella—threaten what she had built.

Not now. Not ever.

The game was on.

Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined Nathaniel could be so infuriatingly stubborn.

The car's interior suddenly felt suffocatingly small with him leaning so close. His intoxicating scent enveloped her as the temperature between them rose. Just as the tension became unbearable, his phone rang, forcing him to pull back reluctantly.

Yet he remained pressed against her, answering the call without moving an inch. A soft, feminine voice floated through the quiet space. "Nathaniel, are you finished? My parents wanted to invite you to dinner. Would that be possible?"

Fury surged through Evelyn. She shoved him away with all her strength, flung the car door open, and stormed out without a backward glance.

Nathaniel rubbed the spot on his head where she'd hit him, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure.

"Nathaniel? Where are you? What was that noise—" Isabella's voice drifted from the phone.

"Tell your parents I'm occupied tonight. We'll arrange another time," he interrupted sharply.

Isabella knew better than to push. "Alright. But what about the hospital check-up in two days...?"

"I've already instructed Samuel. He'll handle everything. Contact him directly if you need anything."

"Understood. I won't disturb your work then."

The moment she finished speaking, Nathaniel ended the call and tossed his phone onto the passenger seat. The lingering traces of Evelyn's perfume teased his senses. His fingers brushed his lower lip, where the sting of her bite finally registered.

Instead of annoyance, a slow smirk curved his lips.

He waited until Evelyn's car disappeared from the parking garage before turning his own vehicle in the opposite direction.

Inside her car, Evelyn sat rigidly, her expression icy. Charlotte stole glances at her while driving, unable to stay silent. "What happened? Did you and Nathaniel argue?"

"Don't mention him," Evelyn snapped. "I finally see him for who he really is—utterly shameless."

Her hands clenched into fists. None of it made sense.

He was the one who had filed for divorce. He was the one now refusing to sign the papers.

What game was he playing?

Did he expect her to agree to bear a child for him and Isabella?

The thought made her nails dig into her palms.

Charlotte hesitated. "Evelyn... have you considered why he's so against the divorce? Doesn't that strike you as odd?"

"What if I told you it's because of Isabella? Would you believe me?" Evelyn's voice was eerily calm, her face unreadable.

Charlotte frowned. "Are you sure? Did he actually say that to you?"