Chapter 100

"What's happening?" Isabella's voice crackled with tension through the phone.

Evelyn Sinclair frowned at the urgency in her best friend's tone. "What do you mean?"

"Someone published a hit piece full of outrageous lies about you! The worst part? It's spreading like wildfire and can't be contained! Check it now!"

The line went dead before Evelyn could respond.

Her fingers flew across her phone screen. Kingsley Tech's stock had plummeted over ten percent overnight - a billion-dollar loss in mere hours.

The phone rang again. "Alexander?"

Her eldest brother's voice carried unusual fatigue. "Lucas is with you, right?"

"Yes, we got back late last night. He's still here."

"Good. Both of you stay put today. No office, no going out."

Evelyn's grip tightened on her phone. "I saw the online attacks. I'll call Dominic Kingsley immediately." Personal slander she could handle, but corporate fallout was another matter entirely.

This had to be orchestrated.

"Already spoke with him." Alexander's tone turned grim. "Dominic says it's beyond his control. These accounts were paid to target you specifically."

Evelyn's brow furrowed. "Any leads on who's behind this?"

A bitter laugh came through the line. "Who else would dredge up old grudges? Who stands to gain from your downfall?"

The answer clicked instantly. Nathan Blackwood.

"Is this because I humiliated Vanessa Holloway yesterday? Petty revenge?"

"Not Nathan directly, but connected to the Blackwoods." Alexander's voice turned arctic. "Old Master Blackwood gave the order. The Blackwoods have overstepped this time. Do they think they still rule San Francisco single-handedly?"

During Old Master Blackwood's prime, his family had monopolized the city's core industries. While still influential, newer power players like the Sterlings had emerged. The Blackwood empire wasn't invincible anymore.

Evelyn's eyes hardened. "What can I do to help?"

"Nothing. Don't even issue a statement. Father's cutting his trip short. He plans to reveal your true identity at our anniversary gala."

A pause, then Alexander added with dark satisfaction, "The harder they attack now, the harder they'll fall later."

The original plan had been to unveil Evelyn's position after she'd solidified her industry standing. But some couldn't resist trying to crush her prematurely.

Evelyn could hear Alexander's barely contained rage. After hanging up, she scrolled through the vicious online commentary. Isabella and Sebastian Hart had mobilized influencers to defend her, but their efforts were drops in a tsunami of hate.

So this was the Blackwood family's reach? A warning shot from Old Master Blackwood about what life would be like opposing him?

Evelyn moved to the window. Reporters swarmed below, cameras trained on her residence despite the distance, ready to capture any movement.

Lucas Sterling slept until noon. After a quick shower, Alexander's warning call quashed any plans to leave. Resigned, he changed back into pajamas and began preparing breakfast for his sister.

Hours passed in restless monotony. Evelyn reviewed reports from Bennett and Kingsley Tech's project updates. At least their major venture remained unaffected - one small relief in this storm.

Meanwhile at Blackwood Enterprises...

Nathan Blackwood's expression could have frozen hell over. His assistant Harrison stood rigid before him, barely daring to breathe in the glacial office atmosphere.

"Who authorized this?" Nathan's voice cut like shards of ice.

Harrison wished the floor would swallow him whole. "Sir, I've contacted all relevant parties. The unanimous response? Direct orders from Old Master Blackwood. They had no choice but to comply."

Nathan's jaw clenched. So that explained the coordinated assault on Evelyn's reputation. Every media outlet, every platform, all suddenly unified in their condemnation.

All because of one man's vendetta.