Chapter 24

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the city as Evelyn stepped into the sleek glass building of Martin Group. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor, echoing through the vast lobby. She clutched her portfolio tighter, her mind racing with the presentation she was about to give.

Nathaniel had insisted she take the lead on the new luxury resort project—his way of proving her capabilities to the board. But the weight of his expectations pressed heavily on her shoulders.

As she entered the conference room, the murmurs of the executives quieted. All eyes turned to her.

"Good morning," she greeted, forcing a confident smile.

Samuel Yates, Nathaniel’s ever-efficient secretary, handed her the remote for the projector. "Everything is set up, Mrs. Martin."

She nodded her thanks and began. "The design integrates sustainable materials while maintaining the elegance expected from a Martin Group property."

Her voice was steady, but her pulse betrayed her. She could feel Nathaniel’s gaze from the head of the table—intense, unwavering.

Halfway through, the door swung open.

Isabella Davis strode in, her crimson dress commanding attention. "Apologies for the interruption," she said smoothly, though her smirk suggested otherwise.

Evelyn’s grip on the remote tightened.

Nathaniel’s expression darkened. "This is a private meeting, Isabella."

"I know," she purred, sliding into an empty seat. "But since I’m now a stakeholder in this project, courtesy of my father’s recent investment, I thought I should familiarize myself with the details."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. She hadn’t been warned.

Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. "We’ll discuss this later."

Isabella merely smiled, crossing her legs. "By all means, continue, Evelyn. I’m eager to see what you’ve come up with."

The air thickened with tension. Evelyn inhaled sharply, then resumed, her voice firmer now. She wouldn’t let Isabella rattle her.

But as she clicked to the next slide, the screen flickered—then went black.

A beat of silence.

Then, laughter.

Isabella’s.

Evelyn’s cheeks burned. She shot a glance at Samuel, who was already rushing to fix the issue.

Nathaniel stood abruptly. "Enough. We’ll reconvene in an hour."

As the executives filed out, murmuring among themselves, Evelyn remained rooted in place.

Isabella lingered, leaning in close. "You really think you belong here?" she whispered. "This world isn’t for outsiders, darling."

Evelyn met her gaze, fire in her eyes. "We’ll see about that."

Isabella’s smile faltered—just for a second—before she sauntered out.

Nathaniel approached, his voice low. "I didn’t know she’d be here."

Evelyn exhaled. "It’s fine."

But it wasn’t.

And they both knew it.

The icy glare in Nathaniel's eyes sent a sharp pang through Evelyn's chest, as if it had struck directly at her heart.

She stood frozen, words failing her.

Their gazes remained locked in a silent battle until, at last, he turned and strode out of the bedroom.

The air between them thickened with tension, pushing them further apart.

He had dismissed every accusation Isabella made.

Was Isabella lying? Evelyn wondered.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, her heart weighed down by unspoken doubts.

The night passed in heavy silence. Nathaniel never returned to their room, yet he hadn’t left the house either. No engine roared to life, no tires crunched over gravel.

Neither would yield. By morning, when Evelyn descended the stairs, Nathaniel was already gone—off to Martin Group before dawn.

In the car, Samuel stole several glances at Nathaniel through the rearview mirror, hesitating.

Finally, Nathaniel noticed.

"What is it?" he asked coolly.

Samuel cleared his throat. "Mr. Martin, there’s trouble at Mrs. Martin’s firm. Negative press has flooded their social media. It’s serious—if not handled, it could destroy the company."

Nathaniel’s brow furrowed slightly. "Hmm."

Samuel relayed every detail before cautiously adding, "Should I reach out to Summit Realty?"

Nathaniel said nothing, his jaw tight.

He remembered Evelyn’s call yesterday. Had she been trying to tell him about this?

The image of her distressed expression lingered, an uncomfortable weight settling in his chest.

"Turn the car around," he ordered quietly. "We’re going to Summit Realty."

Samuel obeyed immediately, swerving the vehicle toward the towering skyscraper.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had just arrived at her office, her phone buzzing incessantly with calls from Gregory. She ignored them, her mood too somber for a conversation she knew would only deepen her frustration.

Gregory intercepted her the moment she stepped into the lobby, his sharp gaze scrutinizing her. "Evelyn, did you speak to Nathaniel about the Summit Realty issue?"

The memory of last night’s argument flashed in her mind. She forced a smile and shook her head. "No. And I won’t. We’ll handle this ourselves first. Worst case, we still have options."

Gregory’s expression hardened almost imperceptibly. "Summit just called. They apologized. The deal is back on. Yohan’s agency is under investigation for defamation."

Evelyn blinked in disbelief. "Summit said that?"

"Yes. I called you immediately."

"Did they mention anything else?"

Gregory shook his head.

Evelyn’s shock mirrored his.

She hadn’t breathed a word to Nathaniel. Could he have—?

No. He wouldn’t. Not with Isabella consuming his attention.

"Since it’s resolved, let’s proceed," she said evenly.

Gregory studied her. "You’re sure you didn’t ask him?"

"Positive."

He exhaled. "I didn’t mean to pry. I just don’t want you compromising yourself."

Her smile was faint. "I know. It’s fine."

Back in her office, Evelyn’s thoughts churned. Who had intervened? The idea of Nathaniel being responsible seemed impossible.

Then her phone rang.

Nathaniel’s name flashed on the screen.

Her fingers tightened around the device before she answered. His voice, deep and steady, filled her ear.

"Evelyn, why didn’t you tell me about the trouble at your firm? I’ve told you—come to me for anything. Has Summit contacted you yet?"

Her breath hitched.

It had been him.

A conflicted ache spread through her chest. Part of her had hoped it was him. Another part wished it weren’t.

Still, gratitude won out. "Thank you, Nathaniel."

"We’re married," he said softly. "No thanks needed."

The word married now felt like a ticking clock.

Her hand pressed against her chest, the pain so sharp it stole her breath.

His voice gentled further. "I didn’t lie to you last night. I wasn’t hiding anything. I was just helping Isabella shop. You know you can trust me, don’t you?"