Chapter 265

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 design—a new eco-friendly residential complex for Martin Group. The project was ambitious, but she thrived under pressure.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Gabrielle, her assistant, peeked in. "Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Wilson is here to see you."

Evelyn nodded. "Send him in."

Gregory entered with a stack of documents, his expression unreadable. "We have a problem," he said without preamble.

She arched a brow. "What kind of problem?"

"The zoning permits for the waterfront project have been delayed. Again." He dropped the files onto her desk. "The city council is demanding additional environmental impact assessments."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "That’s going to push our timeline back by weeks."

Gregory crossed his arms. "I’ve already spoken to Sebastian Wilson at Summit Realty. He’s willing to fast-track the approvals—for a price."

Her fingers tightened around her pen. "What kind of price?"

"A stake in the project."

Evelyn’s jaw clenched. Sebastian had been circling Martin Group’s developments for months, always looking for an opportunity to insert himself. She wouldn’t let him manipulate her. "No. We’ll handle this ourselves."

Gregory hesitated. "Evelyn, without those permits—"

"I’ll talk to Nathaniel," she cut in. "He has connections in the council."

Just as she reached for her phone, it buzzed with an incoming call—Nathaniel’s name flashed on the screen.

Speak of the devil.

She answered, her voice steady. "Nathaniel."

His tone was clipped. "We need to talk. Now."

Something in his voice sent a chill down her spine. "What’s wrong?"

"Not over the phone. Meet me at the penthouse."

The line went dead.

Evelyn stared at her phone, unease coiling in her stomach. Nathaniel rarely sounded like that—cold, distant. Whatever he had to say, it wasn’t good.

Gregory studied her. "Everything alright?"

She forced a smile. "Just a minor hiccup. I’ll handle it."

But as she gathered her things, her mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened with Isabella? The media had been relentless since the woman reappeared in their lives. Or was it something else entirely?

One thing was certain—whatever Nathaniel wanted to discuss would change everything.

Again.

After testing whether Isabella truly knew nothing about it, Donovan answered honestly, "Nathaniel took Evelyn straight to the hospital. I had someone look into it. She's definitely pregnant, and he only just found out."

Isabella went silent, her face turning ghostly pale.

He pressed on, "Isabella, he's not going to marry you. Are you really still waiting for him? Look at Evelyn—she’s carrying his child now. He doesn’t care about you. What’s so special about him that you can’t let go?"

Isabella clenched her jaw as Donovan’s words stoked the fire of her resentment.

She rose from the couch, her gaze icy as she stared at him. "I'm leaving. Handle today’s mess yourself."

Donovan’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "So, you’re just going to discard me after using me?" he asked coolly.

Isabella frowned.

Donovan smirked. "Isabella, I don’t do charity work."

Before she could react, he yanked her into his arms and crushed his lips against hers.

Two hours later, Isabella drove away from the villa, her hair disheveled, a mask and hat hiding her face.

Her grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, her expression hollow.

As she drove, a sharp pang of frustration twisted inside her. She pulled over by the river, lit a cigarette, and took a long drag. Her phone weighed heavily in her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she dialed a number.

The call connected quickly.

A deep voice answered. "Hello? You’re still awake?"

"Did you know Evelyn is pregnant?" Isabella demanded coldly.

Silence. Then, "Who told you?"

"That doesn’t matter. What matters is that she didn’t tell you, did she? You’re just a tool to her. If she really considered you a friend, why keep something this important from you?"

Isabella’s voice trembled with barely contained fury. She took another drag, about to say more, when the line went dead.

She glared at her phone, scoffed, and tossed it aside. The night sky stretched endlessly above her, but her mood was anything but calm.

She wouldn’t back down.

Evelyn won’t win. Nathaniel is mine. He owes me everything.

Her resolve hardened.

The next day, Evelyn was ordered by Nathaniel to stay home and rest.

"And from now on," he added, "if you want to visit the construction site, you’ll take the driver. I’ll arrange one for you."

Evelyn shot him a look. "I’m not paying for that."

"I will."

"Fine."

"Anything else?"

Nathaniel studied her.

She hesitated, unsure what he was expecting. "...Thanks?"