Chapter 280

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 her pride, a testament to her skills as an architect.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Evelyn?" Gabrielle, her assistant, peeked in. "Mr. Wilson is here to see you."

Evelyn straightened, smoothing her blouse. "Send him in."

Gregory Wilson strode in, his usual confident demeanor slightly off. His tie was loosened, and his expression carried an uncharacteristic tension.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Evelyn remarked, raising a brow.

Gregory exhaled sharply. "Close enough. I just got off the phone with Summit Realty. They're pushing for an earlier deadline."

Evelyn frowned. "That's impossible. We haven't even finalized the structural adjustments."

"I know." He ran a hand through his hair. "But Sebastian Wilson is adamant. He claims Martin Group wants it done sooner."

Evelyn's grip tightened on her pen. "Nathaniel didn't mention anything."

Gregory hesitated. "That's the thing. I called Samuel Yates to confirm, and he said Nathaniel hasn't approved any changes."

A cold suspicion settled in her chest. "So Sebastian is making demands without authorization?"

"Seems like it." Gregory leaned against her desk. "What do you want to do?"

Evelyn tapped her fingers against the blueprint. "We stick to the original timeline. If Summit Realty has an issue, they can take it up with Nathaniel directly."

Gregory nodded, relief flickering in his eyes. "Good. I'll handle the pushback."

As he turned to leave, Evelyn added, "And Gregory? Keep this between us for now. I want to talk to Nathaniel first."

"Understood."

The moment the door closed, Evelyn reached for her phone. Before she could dial, it buzzed with an incoming message.

Unknown Number: You should ask your husband about his meeting with Isabella Davis last night.

Her breath hitched. Isabella—Nathaniel's ex. The woman who had once torn them apart.

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly as she typed back.

Evelyn: Who is this?

The reply came instantly.

Unknown Number: A friend. Or maybe a warning.

A chill ran down her spine.

The office suddenly felt too small, the walls closing in. She needed air.

Grabbing her blazer, Evelyn strode out, ignoring Gabrielle's questioning look.

She had to find Nathaniel.

Now.

The elevator doors slid open on the executive floor of Martin Group. Evelyn marched past startled assistants, her heels clicking sharply against the marble.

Samuel Yates stood abruptly from his desk. "Mrs. Martin—"

"Where is he?" she demanded.

Samuel hesitated. "In a meeting with—"

She didn't wait for the rest. Pushing past him, she flung open the conference room doors.

Nathaniel looked up, surprise flashing across his face. Around the table, several executives gaped at the interruption.

And there, seated beside him—Isabella Davis.

Dressed in a sleek black dress, her lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Evelyn," Nathaniel said, standing. "What's wrong?"

Her pulse roared in her ears.

"We need to talk."

Evelyn had always known she was replaceable to Margaret or the Mitchell family.

After marrying Nathaniel, the rest of the Martins—except Margaret—had softened slightly toward her, but only in person. Behind closed doors? She doubted any of them truly cared.

Margaret, however, remained as cold as ever. If anything, she treated Evelyn worse than a stranger.

Hearing Evelyn's confirmation, Margaret fell silent for a moment before repeating, "You're really pregnant?"

Evelyn's brows knitted together. "Why call if you don’t believe me?"

"Evelyn, if it's true, why didn’t you tell me? Are you at home or work? Your father and I will come see you."

The sudden shift in Margaret’s tone stunned Evelyn.

Before she could respond, Margaret pressed on, "You're at home, right? We’ll be there soon. You need more nutrients now—I’ll bring fruit."

The unexpected warmth left Evelyn speechless.

The only thing she could think of was relief that Nathaniel had left for the office after dinner. At least he wouldn’t witness William and Margaret’s sudden visit.

Deep down, she feared this was about the Mitchell Group’s failed partnership with Martin Enterprises.

She prayed she was wrong.

Forty minutes later, William and Margaret arrived. They settled on the couch, scanning the apartment before William remarked coolly, "You’re still living here while pregnant? Shouldn’t Nathaniel or the Martins move you somewhere better?"

"I’m fine here. It’s close to Beatrice."

Evelyn deliberately mentioned her grandmother, but Margaret brushed it off with a frown. "Evelyn, you’re carrying the Martin heir. Use this chance to secure your position—claim what you deserve."

When Evelyn didn’t respond, Margaret nudged William, who quickly added, "Your mother’s right. No more talk of divorce. And didn’t Edward promise you shares once you got pregnant?"

"He did. I refused."

"What?" William’s composure shattered. "Are you out of your mind? Those shares aren’t just yours—they’re the Mitchell family’s! You should’ve consulted me!"

Evelyn’s voice turned icy. "There’s nothing to discuss. The Martins and Mitchells are separate. Their assets aren’t yours to claim."

"You—!" William’s face darkened.

He glared at her. "Then fix this. Get Nathaniel to reinstate the partnership. The Mitchell Group is losing profits because of this."

"So that’s why you came."

Evelyn’s gaze flicked to the fruit basket on the table—their hollow gesture. The hypocrisy was almost laughable.

William’s silence confirmed it.

Margaret, however, smoothed her skirt and said, "Whatever our reasons, we’re thinking of the family. You’re a Mitchell—act like one."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

The room fell into tense silence.

William finally snapped, "Well? Aren’t you going to answer?"

Evelyn met his glare. "There’s nothing to say. I don’t control Martin Enterprises. If they rejected the partnership, I can’t change that."