Chapter 71

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our penthouse, casting golden patterns across the marble floors. I stretched beneath the silk sheets, my fingers brushing against the empty space where Nathaniel should have been. The digital clock on the nightstand blinked 7:32 AM - unusually early for him to be gone.

"Alfred?" I called out, slipping into my robe.

The elderly butler appeared almost instantly at the bedroom door. "Good morning, Mrs. Martin. Mr. Martin left for an emergency board meeting at six. He asked me to inform you he'll be back by lunchtime."

I frowned, running a hand through my tangled hair. "Did he say what it was about?"

"No, madam. Only that it concerned the Singapore acquisition." Alfred hesitated. "Though Mr. Yates did look rather... distressed when he came to fetch him."

The knot in my stomach tightened. Samuel never looked distressed. Something was wrong.

My phone buzzed violently on the vanity. Caroline's name flashed across the screen. "Evelyn! Turn on Channel 7 right now!"

I grabbed the remote with trembling hands. The screen flickered to life, showing a glamorous red carpet event from last night. And there, in crisp high-definition, was Nathaniel with his arm wrapped possessively around Isabella's waist, her scarlet dress clinging to every curve as she leaned into him with practiced ease.

The caption read: "Martin Heir Rekindles Romance with Supermodel Ex at Charity Gala."

The remote slipped from my fingers, hitting the plush carpet with a muted thud. The reporter's voice continued cheerfully, "Sources say the former couple spent over two hours in private conversation at the afterparty before leaving together—"

The screen went black as I stabbed the power button. My reflection in the dark television showed wide, wounded eyes and lips pressed into a bloodless line.

"Alfred," I said, my voice eerily calm. "Get the car ready. I'm going to the office."

"But Mr. Martin specifically said—"

"I don't care what he said." I yanked open my closet doors with more force than necessary. "If Nathaniel wants to play games, he can explain himself to my face."

As I dressed in a sharply tailored navy suit - armor for the coming battle - my phone buzzed again. An unknown number. The text contained only an address and a time: 11 AM. Below it, a single photograph that stopped my heart - Nathaniel and Isabella in what appeared to be a hotel elevator, his mouth buried in her neck, her fingers tangled in his hair.

The timestamp read 2:47 AM.

My wedding ring felt suddenly heavy, the diamonds cutting into my clenched fist. The man who'd sworn to love me forever had been with her. Again. After everything.

The intercom buzzed. "Madam, the car is ready."

I squared my shoulders, slipping the phone into my pocket. Whatever game Nathaniel was playing, he was about to learn I wasn't some naive girl he could manipulate anymore. Not after last time.

Not ever again.

"It's done. She's moved out of Pineview Villa and into Maple Apartment."

Nathaniel glanced at Evelyn as they waited at the traffic light. His voice was low. "Was that your idea?"

Evelyn exhaled softly. "His. But he seems... annoyed with me."

"Because you handled Isabella the way you did?"

Gregory cut straight to the point. Evelyn instinctively met his gaze, her tone steady. "Something like that. Do you agree with him?"

"Honestly? I just wish you'd let me handle it. If you'd gotten hurt, I'd never forgive myself for failing to protect you. Promise me you won't do this again."

His words were gentle, and Evelyn could only nod in agreement.

As for why she hadn’t told Gregory—she didn’t have an answer. At the time, it hadn’t even crossed her mind to involve him. She’d wanted to deal with it herself.

Maybe she just hadn’t wanted to burden him.

Soon, they arrived at Martin Group.

Daniel and his team led them straight to the conference room. The architectural drafts were intricate, with stark differences between office buildings, villas, and residential complexes. The discussion stretched on for hours.

Meanwhile, in Nathaniel’s office, Samuel reported promptly, "Mr. Martin, your wife and Gregory are downstairs reviewing the drafts with Daniel. Would you like to join them?"

"Do I look like I have nothing better to do, Samuel? Or do you?"

Nathaniel’s expression was unreadable, his gaze icy. The sharpness in his tone made Samuel lower his head immediately.

"My apologies, Mr. Martin. I’ll go prepare the materials for your afternoon meeting."

With that, Samuel hurried out.

Had he misread the situation?

Just last night, Nathaniel had called him at midnight, demanding he secure a fully furnished apartment for Isabella immediately. Samuel had assumed that meant Nathaniel was growing closer to Evelyn.

In his office, Nathaniel stared at the document in his hands, but the words blurred together.

His jaw tightened.

Then, his phone rang.

"Speak."

"Grandfather’s birthday is coming up. What’s the plan?" Richard’s voice came through.

Edward’s birthday was less than a week away, and Nathaniel had already made arrangements. He relayed them to Richard. "We’ll host it at Martin Manor. It’s been a while since the family gathered there. And after Grandfather’s recent hospitalization, this will reassure everyone."

"Sounds good. Also, bring Evelyn over for dinner soon. Last time ended awkwardly. Grandfather wants to check in with you both."

"We’ll see. Both of us are swamped these days."

"Fine. But one thing—whatever you decide, it needs Grandfather’s approval. Or I won’t let it slide."

Even though Richard had stepped back from Martin Group, he was still Nathaniel’s father.

After hanging up, Nathaniel set his phone down and rubbed his temples.

Evelyn had disrupted his focus more than once. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he grew. What kind of spell has this woman cast?

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was lunchtime.

Evelyn was wrapping up in the conference room when Daniel suggested, "Want to grab lunch together?"

"Thanks, but we’ve got a lot to finalize this afternoon. Maybe another time?"

"Sure. I won’t keep you."

Daniel shook Gregory’s hand and watched them leave.

As they waited for the elevator, Gregory asked, "Do you think Daniel was hinting we should work directly with Martin Group instead of Summit Realty?"

"Seemed like it," Evelyn admitted, frustration creeping in. Summit Realty had been unreliable, but breaking their contract now felt unethical.

Gregory pressed, "Daniel works for Martin Group. Do you think this is what Nathaniel wants too?"

"I don’t know, and I’d rather not think about it. Things are fine as they are."

She wanted to avoid deeper entanglement with Martin Group—and Nathaniel—before the divorce.

But she kept that to herself.

Evelyn fell silent.

Gregory studied her expression. "Evelyn, honestly? Working directly with Martin Group could be a game-changer for us. It’d take our firm to the next level."

Evelyn looked at him in surprise, but before she could respond, the elevator doors opened.

Samuel stepped out. Evelyn nodded briefly, but he stopped in front of her.

"Mrs. Martin," he said quietly, "Mr. Martin knows you’re here. He’d like you to join him upstairs."

"Is something wrong?"

"It’s about Sir Edward’s birthday. Perhaps you could discuss it with him?"

"Of course." Evelyn turned to Gregory. "Go ahead without me. I’ll talk to Nathaniel about the party."

Gregory nodded. "Need me to wait?"

"No, it’s late. Grab lunch. I’ll take a cab back."

"Alright. See you." He stepped into the elevator.

Samuel and Evelyn took Nathaniel’s private elevator to the top floor. The executive floor was quiet, with only Nathaniel’s secretarial staff working. They didn’t know Evelyn’s identity, but they kept their curiosity to themselves.

When they reached his office, Nathaniel was on the phone. Evelyn sat on the sofa to wait.

Two lunch boxes sat on the coffee table.

One was clearly for her.

Watching him, her heart fluttered.

A minute later, Nathaniel hung up and joined her, sitting in the armchair beside her. "Eat," he said simply.

Neither mentioned last night as they ate in silence.

Evelyn’s pregnancy had dulled her appetite. She set her lunch box aside after a few bites.

Nathaniel noticed. "Not hungry?"

"I had snacks earlier with Daniel. I’m fine."

He hummed in response.

She broke the silence. "Nathaniel, about Grandfather’s birthday—what do you need me to do?"