Chapter 59

The moment Evelyn stepped into the grand ballroom, the weight of Nathaniel’s absence pressed down on her. The room glittered with chandeliers and the hum of high society, but all she could think about was the way he had looked at her before storming out.

Isabella’s triumphant smirk from across the room didn’t help.

"Enjoying the party, Evelyn?" Isabella purred, swirling her champagne flute. "Though I suppose it’s not quite the same without Nathaniel by your side."

Evelyn clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. "He’ll be back."

"Oh, darling," Isabella laughed, a sound like shattering glass. "Men like him don’t come back. Not when they realize what they’ve been missing."

Before Evelyn could retort, Gregory appeared at her elbow, his expression tight. "We have a problem."

She followed his gaze to the entrance, where Edward Martin stood, his cold eyes scanning the crowd. Behind him, Richard and Victoria Martin exchanged hushed words with Sebastian Wilson—Summit Realty’s owner.

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. "What are they doing here?"

Gregory’s jaw tightened. "Sabotage."

A murmur rippled through the crowd as Edward took the stage, tapping the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. It seems there’s been a… misunderstanding regarding the Pineview project."

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

Edward’s smile was razor-sharp. "Effective immediately, Martin Group is withdrawing its partnership with Mitchell Architects."

Gasps erupted. Evelyn’s vision blurred.

Then, the doors burst open.

Nathaniel strode in, his presence commanding silence. His gaze locked onto Evelyn’s, burning with something she couldn’t name.

"Correction," he said, voice cutting through the room like steel. "Martin Group stands with Mitchell Architects. And anyone who disagrees can take it up with me."

Isabella’s glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor.

Evelyn’s heart pounded.

The game had just changed.

Evelyn glanced at Nathaniel and gave a slight nod. "Well, yes, I was supposed to have dinner with Nathaniel, but since you already have plans, I—"

"Why don't Ms. Mitchell join us? The more, the merrier," suggested the representative from Summit Realty, noticing the tension between Evelyn and Nathaniel. He extended the invitation to please Nathaniel.

Nathaniel remained expressionless, while Evelyn looked to him for approval. "Would that be alright? Nathaniel, I don’t want to impose."

"Not at all, Ms. Mitchell. We'd love for you to come," someone quickly chimed in.

After a brief pause, Nathaniel finally gave a curt nod. "Do as you wish."

"Perfect, then I’ll join you," Evelyn beamed, stepping closer to Nathaniel before turning to Isabella with forced cheerfulness. "Isabella, I didn’t realize you were here too."

Isabella barely managed a response under the expectant gazes of the group. "Yeah," she muttered.

Since they clearly knew each other, the others assumed Isabella’s preferential treatment from Nathaniel stemmed from her connection to Evelyn.

As they prepared to leave, Nathaniel ordered, "Get in the car."

Isabella, standing closest to the vehicle, reached for the backseat door—only for Evelyn to swiftly cut in with a saccharine smile. "Isabella, thank you."

With a subtle smirk directed at Isabella, Evelyn revealed her true intentions, but Isabella remained impassive, refusing to react.

Evelyn gestured for Nathaniel to join them.

Isabella’s cold gaze met Nathaniel’s, but he remained indifferent, sliding into the backseat without a word.

She opted for the passenger seat instead.

Evelyn feigned concern. "Isabella, why don’t you join us back here? It’s hard to talk when you’re up front."

Isabella arched a brow. "Ms. Davis, ever heard the saying 'three’s a crowd'? Besides, we barely know each other. I doubt we have much to discuss."

"Isabella, are you upset? If my presence bothers you, I can switch seats. I thought you wouldn’t mind," Evelyn said sweetly.

"Save the act, Ms. Davis. If you were truly concerned, you wouldn’t have taken the backseat in the first place," Isabella retorted coolly.

Evelyn had succeeded in annoying her, and she wasn’t interested in entertaining her further.

Evelyn turned to Nathaniel with a pout. "Nathaniel, did I do something wrong again?"

"Evelyn, be quiet. I have a headache and need to rest," Nathaniel’s deep, icy voice cut her off.

At the mention of his discomfort, Evelyn immediately fussed. "Nathaniel, are you feeling unwell?"

"No. I just need silence. Understood?"

"Of course. Rest well," she conceded, playing the doting companion.

Isabella, however, couldn’t help but glance at Nathaniel with concern.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Evelyn followed Nathaniel inside, the two of them drawing admiring glances as they walked in perfect sync.

Throughout dinner, Evelyn effortlessly took on the role of the gracious hostess, charming everyone with her warmth and attentiveness. Her performance only reinforced the assumption that she and Nathaniel were an item.

Isabella, in contrast, remained aloof, barely engaging with the unfamiliar faces around her.

As they left the restaurant, Isabella deliberately lagged behind, intending to avoid sharing a car with Nathaniel and his entourage.

Just as she was about to excuse herself, her phone rang, drawing everyone’s attention.

She answered calmly. "Hello, Gregory?"

"Are you done? I’m nearby. I can pick you up."

"Sure," she replied, giving him the restaurant’s name.

Gregory confirmed, "I’ll be there in five."

"Alright, I’ll wait," she said before hanging up.

Daniel grinned. "Is that Ms. Mitchell’s boyfriend? A woman as stunning as you must have plenty of admirers."

Evelyn’s smile tightened at the compliment directed at Isabella.

Isabella merely smirked, neither confirming nor denying.

The Summit Realty rep added, "Ms. Mitchell’s partner is quite handsome. I assume he’s her boyfriend?"

Isabella stayed silent, so the topic was quickly dropped.

Nathaniel’s gaze sharpened as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone. "Ms. Mitchell has a boyfriend?"

The Summit Realty rep faltered under his glare, unsure how to respond. The others exchanged uneasy glances.

Isabella met Nathaniel’s stare but refused to explain.

Evelyn quickly intervened. "Nathaniel, could you drop me off at the studio later?"

Nathaniel ignored her, his focus locked on Isabella. "Ms. Mitchell, are you not going to answer?"

"Mr. Martin, my personal life isn’t work-related. I don’t owe you an explanation," Isabella replied coolly.

"Personal life?" Nathaniel’s laugh was frosty.

"Isabella—" He started, but before he could continue, Gregory’s car pulled up.

Stepping out, Gregory strode toward Isabella, greeting the Summit Realty rep first.

The rep quickly introduced, "This is Gregory Wilson, Ms. Mitchell’s partner."

After exchanging pleasantries, Gregory turned to Nathaniel with polite respect. "Mr. Martin, I’ve heard much about you."

Nathaniel’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Likewise, Mr. Wilson."

No one dared to pry further into their acquaintance.

Gregory stood beside Isabella, his gaze softening as he asked, "You haven’t been eating well. Did you have enough tonight?"

Isabella nodded.

Their easy familiarity spoke volumes.

Daniel grinned. "Mr. Wilson and Ms. Mitchell make a striking pair—both brilliant and beautiful!"

Gregory chuckled. "Thank you, Daniel. Though I should clarify—Ms. Mitchell hasn’t accepted my advances yet."

"Ms. Mitchell deserves an exceptional partner. I hope it works out for you two."

"That’s the plan."

The tension eased as the conversation turned lighthearted.

Evelyn leaned in to whisper to Nathaniel, "Nathaniel, is Gregory really dating Isabella? But she’s still married to you. Has she made up her mind about the divorce?"

Nathaniel’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes cold and distant.