Chapter 262

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. Her fingers flew over the blueprints with practiced precision, though her mind kept drifting back to last night's argument with Nathaniel. The tension between them had become palpable, like a storm cloud hovering over their marriage.

Gabrielle knocked lightly before entering, balancing a tray with two steaming cups. "Thought you could use some caffeine," she said, setting down Evelyn's favorite vanilla latte. "You've been here since dawn."

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temples. "The Kensington project deadline got moved up. Again." She took a grateful sip, the warmth spreading through her chilled fingers. "And Nathaniel..."

Her assistant gave her a knowing look. "Still no resolution about the Paris trip?"

Before Evelyn could respond, her phone buzzed with a text from Isabella. The preview showed only: We need to talk. It's urgent. Her stomach twisted. The last time Nathaniel's ex had reached out, it had nearly destroyed their relationship.

Across town, Nathaniel stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of Martin Group's executive suite, staring unseeingly at the skyline. Samuel cleared his throat from the doorway. "Sir, the board is waiting for your presentation on the merger."

Nathaniel didn't turn. "Give me five minutes." His phone screen lit up with a notification - security alert from their home system. Evelyn had left their penthouse at 4:37 AM. Again.

At that moment, in a chic uptown café, Isabella nervously twisted her napkin into shreds. Vanessa sat across from her, tapping manicured nails against the table. "You need to tell him today," the agent insisted. "Before the press gets wind of it."

Isabella's gaze flickered to the envelope on the table - the results that could change everything. "What if he doesn't believe me?" she whispered.

Vanessa leaned forward. "The DNA doesn't lie, darling. That child is his."

Back at the office, Evelyn's computer pinged with an email from Sebastian Wilson. The subject line made her blood run cold: Termination of Contract - Effective Immediately. Her hands shook as she clicked open the attached legal notice. Summit Realty was pulling out of their biggest joint venture, citing "breach of confidentiality."

Her phone rang. It was Gregory, his voice uncharacteristically strained. "Evelyn, we have a problem. Someone leaked our proprietary designs to a competitor. The board is calling an emergency meeting."

As Evelyn gathered her things, her gaze fell on the family photo on her desk - she and Nathaniel smiling on their wedding day, back when everything seemed perfect. Now, between the failing projects, the secrets, and Isabella's sudden reappearance, their foundation was crumbling.

Meanwhile, Nathaniel finally entered the boardroom to find not just the directors, but his father Richard waiting with a grim expression. "Son," Richard began, "we need to talk about your wife's company. There are... concerning rumors."

The night air was crisp as Evelyn reached for the car door handle. A shadow moved toward her, and a man's voice cut through the silence.

"Ms. Mitchell, heading back alone this late?"

Evelyn didn't recognize him, but the way he addressed her by name suggested he worked at the site. She offered a polite nod, but before she could respond, rough fabric was yanked over her head, plunging her vision into darkness.

Strong arms hauled her into the vehicle before she could react. The scent of leather and cigarette smoke filled her nose as her wrists were bound to the door handle.

One of the men spoke. "Take her to Mr. Wilson?"

"Obviously. He'll handle the rest."

Mr. Wilson. The name sent a jolt through her. The only Wilson she knew was Sebastian—the man who had been fighting her over the project.

Oddly, the realization steadied her.

She stayed silent, refusing to struggle as the car rumbled to a stop. When they dragged her out, she kept her voice icy.

"Tell Sebastian that if he touches me, the Martins will bury him. But if he lets me go now, I’ll forget this ever happened."

A harsh laugh. "Save your threats for his face."

They marched her into a villa, and the hood was ripped off. Blinding light made her flinch.

Sebastian lounged on a couch, smirking. "Apologies for the dramatic entrance."

The words dripped with false courtesy.

Evelyn met his gaze evenly. "What do you want?"

"You left me no choice. You wouldn’t have come otherwise, would you?"

"Now that I’m here, get to the point."

"The project." He snapped his fingers, and one of his men tossed her bag onto the table. Her phone clattered beside it. "Call Nathaniel. Tell him Summit Realty is joining."

Evelyn didn’t move. "He’ll know something’s wrong if I suddenly bring this up."

"Not my problem."

Sebastian had clearly planned this.

She tilted her head. "If you wanted in, you should’ve negotiated properly. Not like this."

"Negotiations failed because of you." His grin turned vicious. "Call him."

When she didn’t comply, he crushed his cigarette into an ashtray. "Need motivation? Fine." He gestured to the men. "Strip her."

They lunged before she could react, pinning her down.

Evelyn’s voice was steel. "Sebastian, Nathaniel will destroy you for this."