Chapter 96

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden streaks across her blueprints. She tapped her pen against the desk, lost in thought. The Pineview Villa project was nearing completion, but something felt off.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Nathaniel.

"Meeting at Martin Group HQ in an hour. Wear something impressive."

Evelyn arched a brow. Impressive? That was vague, even for him. She sighed and pushed back from her desk. Whatever it was, she’d play along—for now.

The Martin Group’s boardroom was packed when Evelyn arrived. Executives murmured in hushed tones, their eyes flickering toward her as she entered. Nathaniel stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.

"Ah, Evelyn. Perfect timing." His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it.

She took her seat beside Gregory, who leaned in. "You have any idea what this is about?"

"None," she muttered.

Nathaniel cleared his throat. "As you all know, the Pineview project is nearly finished. But we’ve hit a snag." He tapped a button on the remote, and the screen behind him lit up with a series of documents.

Evelyn’s stomach dropped.

Those were her designs—but altered. Key structural elements had been changed, compromising the integrity of the entire project.

"These modifications were unauthorized," Nathaniel continued, his gaze locking onto hers. "And they’ve already been implemented."

A murmur rippled through the room. Evelyn’s fingers curled into fists.

"That’s impossible," she said, standing. "I never approved these changes."

Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. "Then explain how they ended up in the final blueprints."

Silence.

Evelyn scanned the faces around her—some curious, others smug. Someone had sabotaged her work. And the worst part? Nathaniel didn’t seem to believe her.

Gregory placed a hand on her arm. "We’ll figure this out."

But Evelyn barely heard him. Her mind raced.

Who would do this?

And why?

The meeting ended in tense silence. Evelyn stormed out, Nathaniel hot on her heels.

"Evelyn, wait—"

She whirled around. "You think I’d risk my reputation like this?"

His expression darkened. "I didn’t say that."

"Then what are you saying?"

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. "I’m saying we need to find out who did this—before the media gets wind of it."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Fine. But I’m handling this my way."

She turned and walked away before he could respond.

Because one thing was clear—someone was playing games.

And Evelyn wasn’t about to lose.

Nathaniel smirked faintly, his voice low. "No reason. Just a man's intuition."

Evelyn arched a brow. "You've never been in love. How would you know what it feels like?"

"Nathaniel, are you questioning my judgment as a man?" he countered.

"I'm not questioning your judgment. I just didn't think you could read Nathaniel's mind," she shot back.

"Have you forgotten what I studied in college?"

His tone was light, but Evelyn fell silent.

Because she remembered—Nathaniel had majored in psychology.

He studied her for a moment before speaking again. "Is Isabella really the only reason you two divorced?"

"He promised to marry her," Evelyn replied flatly.

"That's it?"

Her expression darkened, voice turning icy. "Isn't that enough? If someone wants to marry another person without hesitation, doesn't that mean love?"

"That's your perspective. Love isn't the only reason a man marries. Duty, ambition—those can play a role too."

His words left Evelyn puzzled. How could there be duty without love?

And ambition—what kind of ambition could that be?

She merely smiled and said nothing.

Nathaniel didn’t press further. Matters of love and marriage were best understood by those involved.

"Come upstairs with me," he said instead. "Edward asked me to bring you gifts. My mother also baked your favorite cookies. I didn’t want to carry them on the plane, so I had them shipped to the hotel. They arrived this afternoon."

"They're so thoughtful. Meanwhile, you didn’t even get me anything. And now I have to chauffeur you around. It’s depressing."

"Are you complaining about me?"

"Be nice, or Edward might kick you out again."

Evelyn scoffed, pushing open the car door and following Nathaniel into the hotel.

To avoid misunderstandings, she didn’t step inside his room. She lingered at the doorway. "Just hand me the stuff. I won’t come in."

Nathaniel frowned.

"It’s late. If we’re photographed, it’ll be trouble. I am married, you know."

"Fine. Wait here."

He gave her a look before disappearing inside, returning moments later with a gift bag. "Here. Now hurry home, Mrs. Martin."

"Rest well. Dinner tomorrow?"

"Haven’t we already eaten?"

"He wants to invite you."

She met his gaze, explaining.

Nathaniel’s lips curled. "Why? In what capacity? As your husband?"

Evelyn didn’t answer, just stared.

He chuckled. "Then what’s my role? Family?"

"Are you coming or not?" she asked flatly.

"Of course. If Mr. Martin is inviting me, how could I refuse? Tell him to pick me up."

Evelyn didn’t respond, only giving him a look. "Do your fans know you’re like this in private?"

The Nathaniel the public knew was nothing like the man before her.

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and left.

Watching her retreat, Nathaniel called out, "Drive safe."

He didn’t close the door until the elevator swallowed her from view.

Back at Pineview Villa, Nathaniel had already returned. She handed the gifts to a servant. "Nathaniel, I told Nathaniel about dinner. He agreed. Should we host here or go out?"

"What do you think?"

His gaze pinned her.

Evelyn considered it. "If you don’t want outsiders in your home, we’ll arrange it outside."

Her words pleased him. A rare smile touched his lips.

He stepped closer, voice dropping. "You know me so well. You care that I don’t like strangers in my space. Let’s eat out."

Evelyn blinked, confused.

Nathaniel said nothing more. If he had, she might’ve questioned if this was really him.

Staring at him, she reached one conclusion:

He was probably trying to make up for the divorce. After all, a second marriage wasn’t ideal for a woman’s reputation.

The next morning, Evelyn was jolted awake by Nathaniel’s phone before her alarm.

Samuel was calling.

Nathaniel’s expression darkened the second he answered.

He sat up, voice sharp. "Take it down. Now."

Evelyn, now fully awake at his tone, asked softly, "What’s wrong?"

He didn’t answer immediately, jaw tight.

Then her phone rang.

She glanced at Nathaniel before answering. "Hello?"

"Evelyn, you and Nathaniel are trending. Someone leaked a video of you two at the hotel last night, plus photos of you together these past few days. The internet thinks you’re his girlfriend."

Gregory’s voice was tense.

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. She looked at Nathaniel—now she understood his call.

"I see," she said quietly.

"His older fans aren’t taking it well. Stay away from the office for now. It might not be safe."

"Okay."

"Should I contact Nathaniel for a statement?"

"Let me talk to him first."

Her voice was low. She needed to end this call.

"Evelyn, it’s just a misunderstanding. Clarify it, and it’ll blow over. I’m here for you."

Gregory’s reassurance barely registered before she hung up.

Setting her phone down, she faced Nathaniel calmly. "I only went to the hotel to get gifts from his parents. I didn’t even step inside his room. If you don’t believe me, check the hotel surveillance."

She’d been careful—yet they’d still been caught.

It wasn’t that she cared for herself. She didn’t want to drag Nathaniel into this. His fans had been waiting for his return. He was an icon. She wouldn’t tarnish that.

Nathaniel’s voice was ice. "Contact Nathaniel. Have him clarify you’ve been friends for years."

Before she could respond, his phone rang again.

He answered curtly. "Speak."