Chapter 70

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the bedroom as Evelyn stirred awake. Beside her, Nathaniel slept soundly, his breathing steady. She traced the curve of his jaw with her fingertips, marveling at how peaceful he looked.

A soft knock interrupted the quiet.

"Mrs. Martin?" Alfred’s voice was muffled through the door. "Mr. Edward has requested your presence in the study."

Evelyn frowned. Edward rarely summoned her directly. Something must be urgent.

"I’ll be right there," she whispered, careful not to wake Nathaniel.

Slipping into a silk robe, she padded down the grand staircase, her mind racing. The study door was slightly ajar, and she could hear Edward’s low, measured tones.

"Come in, Evelyn," he called before she could knock.

Inside, Edward sat behind his mahogany desk, his expression unreadable. Winston stood beside him, his usual composed demeanor tinged with tension.

"You wanted to see me?" Evelyn asked, folding her arms against the morning chill.

Edward steepled his fingers. "There’s been a development regarding the Summit Realty deal."

Evelyn’s pulse quickened. "What kind of development?"

"Sebastian Wilson has made a counteroffer," Edward said, sliding a document toward her. "One that complicates things."

She scanned the pages, her stomach tightening. The terms were aggressive—too aggressive. "This isn’t just business," she murmured. "He’s targeting Nathaniel."

Edward’s gaze darkened. "Precisely."

A sharp knock made them all turn. Nathaniel stood in the doorway, his hair still tousled from sleep, but his eyes alert. "What’s going on?"

Evelyn hesitated, but Edward spoke first. "We have a problem."

Nathaniel stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Then let’s solve it."

The air in the room grew heavier as the four of them exchanged glances. Whatever was coming, Evelyn knew one thing—this wasn’t just about business anymore.

Nathaniel's expression darkened as his piercing gaze swept over Isabella with indifference before he rose from his seat. "Isabella, Samuel has secured an apartment for you. You'll move in tomorrow. Have the staff assist with packing your belongings this evening."

Without another word, he strode out of the dining room.

Isabella's voice trembled with indignation. "Nathaniel, are you really casting me aside? Throwing me out like this?"

Only silence answered her.

Evelyn watched his retreating figure, a bitter ache settling in her chest. Despite everything, he still couldn’t bring himself to be truly harsh with Isabella.

A self-mocking smile tugged at her lips, her eyes turning colder.

Yet Isabella directed all her fury at Evelyn, her glare venomous. "This was your doing, Evelyn. You set me up."

"Keep looking at me like that," Evelyn warned icily, her flawless features radiating frost, "and I might just expose everything to your adoring fans. Let them see the real you."

Isabella clenched her fists, falling silent—but the hatred in her eyes deepened.

Evelyn plucked a wet wipe from the table, cleaned her hands, and left without another glance.

Initially, she had considered making Isabella’s deception public, shattering her carefully crafted innocent image. But upon reflection, she realized the truth might not sway the masses—it might only make her more visible. She didn’t crave that spotlight.

Besides, she wasn’t naive enough to think Nathaniel would sever ties with Isabella over this. Love wasn’t so easily discarded.

All she wanted was for Isabella to leave Pineview Villa. She refused to share a roof with her any longer.

Now that it was done, she had no intention of pushing further.

As for Dominic Lynch—he had been cautious ever since Isabella lured her to that hotel. The call she made afterward had been to Caroline, who held damning evidence of Dominic’s drug use. Enough to implicate the Lynch family. He wouldn’t dare cross her.

With this chapter closed, Evelyn didn’t feel relief—only exhaustion.

Back in their bedroom, Nathaniel stood by the window, his silhouette rigid. She closed the door softly and approached.

"Are you upset because of Isabella?" she asked quietly.

Wasn’t he supposed to be pleased that Isabella’s true nature had been revealed?

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. After a weighted silence, he turned, his voice low and rough. "You knew from the start she was involved?"

Evelyn met his stormy gaze unflinchingly, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes. She thought meeting me would provoke me into saying something to you—something that would force you to publicly clarify our relationship."

His frown deepened. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"What would that have accomplished?"

"Evelyn, we’re married. Keeping this from me—was that your idea of handling it?"

His anger was palpable.

She exhaled softly. "I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought it was better if I dealt with it myself. That way, you wouldn’t have to choose between standing by her or fulfilling your duty as my husband. You wouldn’t have to explain yourself to her."

"So this was for my sake?" His voice dripped with icy sarcasm.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Was he blaming her? For humiliating Isabella?

Nathaniel’s gaze bore into her, unrelenting. "You knew the risks, yet you walked right into danger—just to expose her. Did you think you were being clever? Do you have any idea what kind of man Dominic Lynch is? Aren’t you afraid of dying?"

Evelyn’s breath hitched. Was his anger actually concern—for her?

She bit her lip, suddenly at a loss.

Nathaniel’s eyes darkened further, his handsome face carved from ice. "You think risking your life was worth it? Just to punish Isabella? Evelyn, how much of you don’t I know?"

Though his mouth curved into a cold smile, his eyes burned with fury. With one last scathing look, he turned and stalked into the bathroom.

Evelyn stood frozen, the weight of his words pressing down on her. For a fleeting moment, she had thought his anger stemmed from worry.

But now she understood—he was only upset because Isabella had been hurt.

Her smile turned brittle. Of course.

The next morning, Isabella moved out of Pineview Villa.

Nathaniel had arranged an apartment—close enough for convenience, yet far enough to create distance. Her agent, Vanessa, had inspected it beforehand, ensuring everything was ready for her arrival.

He didn’t make me leave because of Evelyn, Isabella told herself. He found the perfect place for me. He’s protecting me—keeping me safe.

She channeled all her resentment toward Evelyn but refused to let her witness her departure. She waited until Evelyn had left before gathering her things.

Vanessa arrived to pick her up. The ride was silent until Vanessa spoke. "Mr. Martin did this for your own good. If he hadn’t acted, Evelyn wouldn’t have let it go. You’re still the most important person to him."

Isabella lowered her sunglasses, studying her agent. "You really think so?"

"Of course."

Some of the tension left Isabella’s shoulders. She hummed softly, then murmured, "I may be leaving, but Evelyn won’t get off so easily."

With Isabella gone, Pineview Villa settled back into its usual rhythm.

The staff exchanged relieved whispers. "Thank goodness Ms. Davis is gone. She was impossible—sweet as honey when Mr. Martin was around, but a tyrant when he wasn’t."

"Mrs. Martin is much better. She doesn’t fuss over us, but she’s fair. Easy to work for."

Neither Evelyn nor Nathaniel heard them. The chill between them had returned, thicker than ever.

At the office, Evelyn finalized the interior design drafts. She didn’t need to visit the site today, but she did have to go to Martin Group—to deliver the plans to Daniel Carter’s team for review.

Gregory accompanied her.

On the way, he suddenly asked, "So, is the Isabella situation finally resolved?"