Chapter 196

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. She tapped her pencil absently against the blueprint, her mind elsewhere entirely. The numbers on the spreadsheet before her blurred as she replayed last night's argument with Nathaniel for the hundredth time.

"Evelyn?" Gabrielle's voice broke through her thoughts. "Mr. Wilson is here to see you."

She straightened immediately, smoothing her blouse. "Send him in."

Gregory Wilson entered with his usual confident stride, but his eyes held concern. "You look like you haven't slept," he remarked, dropping a stack of files on her desk.

"Charming as always," Evelyn muttered, flipping open the top folder. Her breath caught. "The Summit Realty proposal? I thought we lost this bid months ago."

"We did." Gregory leaned against her desk, crossing his arms. "Sebastian Wilson just called. They're reopening the competition after some... irregularities with the winning firm."

Evelyn's pulse quickened. This was their chance to redeem themselves after the disastrous first attempt. But the timing couldn't be worse—not with her marriage crumbling and Nathaniel's increasingly erratic behavior.

Across town, Nathaniel Martin slammed his office door so hard the glass rattled. Samuel Yates jumped to his feet. "Sir—"

"Cancel my afternoon," Nathaniel snapped without breaking stride. He barely registered his secretary's startled expression as he stormed into his private elevator.

The penthouse was silent when he arrived, the air thick with tension from last night's fight. He poured himself three fingers of whiskey, ignoring the early hour. The amber liquid burned his throat but did nothing to dull the memory of Evelyn's accusation: "You're just like your father."

His phone buzzed. Isabella's name flashed on the screen. Nathaniel hesitated, then declined the call. He wasn't in the mood for her manipulations today.

Meanwhile, at a chic café downtown, Isabella Davis stared at her untouched latte, her manicured nails tapping an impatient rhythm. Vanessa slid into the opposite seat. "Well?"

"He didn't answer." Isabella's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Evelyn must have gotten to him first."

Vanessa sighed. "We need to move faster. The gala's next week—"

"I know the timeline!" Isabella snapped, then forced a calmer tone. "Just make sure those photos are ready. Once Nathaniel sees what his precious wife has been hiding..."

Back at the office, Evelyn rubbed her temples as she reviewed the Summit Realty documents. Something wasn't adding up. She reached for her phone to call Nathaniel—force of habit—then stopped. Their last conversation had ended with shattered glass and tears.

Gabrielle appeared in the doorway again, her expression uneasy. "There's a... situation in the lobby."

Evelyn frowned. "What kind of situation?"

Before Gabrielle could answer, raised voices echoed down the hall. Evelyn rushed out to find a distraught Charlotte Bennett arguing with security.

"Let me through! I need to see Evelyn now!"

"Charlotte?" Evelyn pushed past the guards. Her best friend's face was streaked with tears. "What's wrong?"

Charlotte grabbed her arms, her grip painfully tight. "It's Nathaniel. You need to come with me right now." She lowered her voice to a terrified whisper. "They're saying he tried to kill someone."

Evelyn relayed the message to the representatives, yet they remained obstinate. They immediately contacted their boss Sebastian Wilson, reporting Nathaniel's stance. Sebastian offered no response, merely instructing them to return to the office.

Sebastian didn’t dare pressure Evelyn—not when she was Nathaniel Martin’s wife. The dynamics between the couple baffled him. Until he understood their game, reckless actions could prove disastrous.

After ending the call with Gabrielle, Evelyn stepped into her apartment. A text soon followed—Summit Realty’s representatives had left. But the issue wasn’t resolved.

Charlotte was still asleep when Evelyn returned.

Evelyn moved to the balcony, dialing Daniel Carter. "Is the Martin Group truly abandoning this project?"

"Evelyn, shouldn’t you know better?" Daniel sighed. "The suspension has even emboldened my rivals. Without Mr. Martin’s clarification, I’m left in the dark—and vulnerable."

His frustration was palpable.

A sudden realization struck Evelyn. Is this because of me? Did Nathaniel halt everything... because I defied him?

Guilt gnawed at her. If I’d just complied, so many wouldn’t be suffering.

Charlotte stirred awake, finding Evelyn brooding on the balcony. She leaned against her gently. "What’s wrong?"

"Do you think divorcing Nathaniel was a mistake?"

"Do you regret it?" Charlotte asked, bypassing explanations for the heart of the matter.

Evelyn shook her head.

She didn’t regret the choice—only the collateral damage.

Charlotte smiled. "Then stop second-guessing."

Evelyn mirrored her smile.

They spent the afternoon shopping, returning only after dinner.

The next morning, Evelyn headed to the office. With Gregory Wilson away temporarily, she was in charge.

Summit Realty’s Jonathan Blake arrived shortly after.

Jonathan—the smarmy project manager who’d handled negotiations—greeted her with a practiced smile. "Mrs. Martin, when can we resume the project?"

"I can’t confirm yet. The final decision isn’t mine."

"But Mr. Martin halted it abruptly. Surely you know why."

"I’m not privy to Martin Group’s internal decisions."

Jonathan’s smile turned razor-thin. "So the project’s dead?"

"I didn’t say that."

"Mrs. Martin, I’m just a messenger. Without an answer today, I won’t leave."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "You’re the one cornering me."

"Are you and Mr. Martin conspiring to sabotage us?" Jonathan challenged. "Call him now. Let’s settle this."

Cornered, Evelyn dialed Nathaniel’s office.

"May I speak to Mr. Martin?" she asked quietly.