Chapter 30

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, making precise adjustments with her mechanical pencil. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint aroma of ink from the printer.

A sharp knock interrupted her concentration. "Come in," she called without looking up.

Gabrielle, her assistant, stepped inside with a tablet in hand. "Evelyn, Mr. Wilson is here to see you. He says it's urgent."

Evelyn sighed, setting down her pencil. "Send him in."

Gregory Wilson strode into the room, his usual composed demeanor replaced by visible tension. His tailored suit couldn't hide the stiffness in his shoulders. "We have a problem," he said without preamble.

Evelyn's stomach tightened. "What kind of problem?"

"The Summit Realty project. Sebastian Wilson just pulled the plug. He's citing 'creative differences.'"

Evelyn's fingers curled into fists. "That's bullshit. We've been working on this for months. What's the real reason?"

Gregory hesitated, then lowered his voice. "Rumor has it Isabella Davis paid him a visit last night."

Evelyn's blood ran cold. Isabella—Nathaniel's ex, the woman who'd made it her mission to destroy Evelyn's career since their engagement was announced. "Of course she did," Evelyn muttered, pushing back from her desk. "I need to see the contract."

As Gregory pulled up the documents on his tablet, Evelyn's phone buzzed. A text from Nathaniel: Meeting ran late. Dinner at 8? I'll make reservations.

She typed a quick reply, her mind already racing ahead. This wasn't just about a lost project—it was another move in Isabella's calculated game. And Evelyn refused to play the victim.

"Get me Jonathan Blake's number," she told Gregory. "If Sebastian won't work with us, maybe his project manager will have more sense."

Gregory raised an eyebrow. "You're going behind Wilson's back?"

Evelyn smiled, the determined glint returning to her eyes. "No. I'm finding another way in. Isabella wants a fight? She's about to get one."

The intercom buzzed again. Gabrielle's voice came through: "Evelyn, your mother is on line one. She says it's important."

Evelyn exchanged a glance with Gregory. "Tell her I'll call back in ten minutes." She turned to her partner. "First, we salvage this project. Then I'll deal with family drama."

As Gregory began dialing, Evelyn stared at the city skyline beyond her window. The glittering towers of Martin Group headquarters stood tall in the distance. Somewhere in that building, Nathaniel was working, unaware of the storm brewing around them. She'd protect what was hers—both her career and her marriage.

Even if it meant getting her hands dirty.

Nathaniel remained silent, his features hardening into an unreadable mask.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing to slits as he stated flatly, "Isabella, I'm taking you back to the hospital now."

"Are you upset with me?" Isabella pressed, fingers twisting in her lap. "Tell me honestly - is it because Evelyn's anger affects you? I deserve to know. After everything that's happened this past year of your marriage... if you've developed feelings for her, just say so. I'll walk away. I won't make this difficult for you."

Her voice trembled with barely restrained emotion as she searched his face for answers.

Nathaniel's expression remained impassive, his tone deceptively light. "What exactly are you afraid of, Isabella? I've already promised to divorce her and marry you. Unless..." A dangerous edge crept into his voice. "Unless you'd prefer I fall for Evelyn and cut you off completely? Would that make you happy?"

"No!" Isabella's hands shot out to grasp his forearm desperately. "That's not what I want at all. I just... I need reassurance. Nathaniel, please finalize the divorce quickly. This uncertainty is tearing me apart..."

"Have some self-respect."

Nathaniel studied the woman before him - once so vibrant and confident, now reduced to this insecure shadow of herself. The transformation unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Meanwhile, in the hospital parking lot...

Evelyn helped Victoria into the car, her movements precise despite the tension in her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry about Nathaniel's behavior," Victoria murmured, genuine remorse in her eyes. "Tonight, I'll make sure he comes to Martin Manor. Richard and I will set him straight. Please, if there's anything you need to get off your chest..."

Evelyn offered a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Don't trouble yourself, Victoria. I'm perfectly fine. Let's get you back to the hospital."

As they arrived, Evelyn hesitated before speaking. "I won't come up. Please update me immediately if there are any changes with Edward's condition."

"Of course, dear. Drive safely," Victoria replied, concern etching lines around her eyes.

Evelyn's farewell was abruptly cut short as a wave of nausea hit. She turned pale, swallowing hard against the bile rising in her throat.

Victoria froze. "Evelyn? Are you ill?"

"Just... stomach issues. Already saw a doctor. Nothing to worry about," Evelyn lied smoothly, avoiding direct eye contact.

After watching Victoria enter the hospital, Evelyn exhaled shakily, relieved her secret remained safe for now.

Back in Edward's hospital suite, Victoria threw her purse onto a chair with uncharacteristic force. "Your son has gone completely off the rails! No wonder Evelyn wants a divorce."

Richard handed her a glass of water, his calm demeanor belying the storm in his eyes. "Explain everything."

When Victoria finished recounting the restaurant incident, Richard's face darkened. "He's forgotten his place. Summon him to the manor tonight."

Victoria dialed Nathaniel's number while muttering, "I swear we must have brought home the wrong baby from the hospital."

"Don't be absurd," Richard chided, though his frown deepened.

The call connected.

"Nathaniel Martin," Richard's voice brooked no argument, "you will present yourself at Martin Manor tonight. And believe me, you'll regret it if you don't."

"Father, I—"

"Enough!" Richard cut him off. "Have you forgotten who you are? Your actions reflect on this family, on Martin Group, and most shamefully, on your grandfather's legacy."

Through gritted teeth, Nathaniel replied, "Mother's exaggerating. I've done nothing wrong."

"Shall I personally investigate this woman you're seeing?" Richard threatened.

A heavy pause. "...I'll be there."

The line went dead before Nathaniel could say more. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every tense line of his body.

Isabella watched him carefully. "Trouble?"

"Nothing concerning you."

"Is it because of me? Are your parents angry?"

Nathaniel's response was curt. "Stop imagining problems."

Back at her hospital room, Isabella's anxiety grew as Nathaniel departed. Vanessa arched an eyebrow. "Since when do you let him dictate terms? You used to have him wrapped around your finger."

Isabella's laugh held no humor. "A year apart changes things. He's willing to leave Evelyn for me - I can't risk pushing too hard now."

Vanessa smirked. "Men respond to confidence. Remind him what he's missing."

A calculating gleam entered Isabella's eyes as she considered this.

That evening at Martin Manor...

Nathaniel endured the lecture stonily as Richard pointed an accusing finger. "Charles Mitchell saved this family! Without him, neither of us would be here. We owe Evelyn everything, and this is how you repay her?"

The familiar refrain grated on Nathaniel's nerves. "Understood."

"If you truly understood, you'd cut ties with Isabella immediately. Your grandfather still hasn't woken up. Do you really want to live with that regret?"

Leaving the manor, Nathaniel's grip on the steering wheel turned his knuckles white. Richard's words echoed relentlessly: "Do you really want to live with that regret?"

By 7 PM, he arrived at Pineview Villa.

Alfred greeted him in the foyer. "Master Nathaniel, you're just in time for dinner. Miss Evelyn is dining now—"

Nathaniel brushed past without responding, striding directly to the dining room where Evelyn sat, methodically working through her meal. She didn't glance up when he entered, continuing to eat as if alone.

Nathaniel's patience snapped. "Evelyn," his voice cut through the silence like a blade, "is that attitude really necessary?"