Chapter 167

Evelyn's casual remark struck Nathan like a lightning bolt. His chest tightened as her words echoed in his mind.

Had he always been so heartless to the women who loved him? First Evelyn, then Vanessa, and now Cassandra Delacroix. Nathan's jaw clenched as dark emotions swirled in his stormy gray eyes.

His voice dropped to a husky whisper when he finally spoke. "Evelyn, you're different from them." At least Evelyn had once been his wife. The others meant nothing to him.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, her lips curling into a bitter smile. When she looked up again, her sapphire eyes had turned to ice. "Of course I'm different. I was the lucky one who married you because of my rare blood type." Her mocking laugh cut through the tense air before she turned away sharply.

Nathan's frown deepened. That wasn't what he meant at all.

"We've arrived, Ms. Sinclair," Bennett announced, relief evident in his voice. The car ride had been torture. Evelyn practically flung the door open, desperate to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

Nathan followed close behind. The two had just left Kingsley Tech's press conference together, and now they were arriving at Celestial Media's headquarters simultaneously. Every head turned as they stepped out of the same black limousine.

The sudden shareholders meeting was already raising eyebrows. Having both Nathan Blackwood and Evelyn Sinclair show up together sent shockwaves through Celestial Media's executives. None dared to offend either powerhouse.

"Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Sinclair..." The greetings came rapid-fire as executives scrambled to show respect. Nathan barely nodded, his mood too foul for pleasantries.

Vincent Delacroix, Celestial Media's chairman, personally escorted them to the elevator, bowing slightly. "After you." No one else would presume to share the elevator with such important figures.

Nathan stepped in first, but Evelyn remained outside with a polite smile. "You all go ahead. I need to make a call." She turned on her heel without a backward glance.

Nathan's hands clenched into fists at his sides. Though unspoken, her message was clear - she couldn't stand being confined with him. The others exchanged confused glances but obeyed without question.

Bennett quickly made excuses for Evelyn as the group proceeded to the top-floor conference room. Soon the lounge area stood empty except for Evelyn.

She took Lucas's call by the floor-to-ceiling windows, discussing trivial matters before hanging up. When she turned, she found herself face-to-face with a furious Cassandra Delacroix.

"Evelyn!" Cassandra spat the name like a curse. "What the hell are you doing here?" Since the recording of Cassandra's verbal attack on Evelyn went viral, public opinion had turned sharply against her.

Despite spending a fortune on damage control, Cassandra couldn't escape the backlash. Overnight, she'd become social media's favorite villain. Meanwhile, Evelyn appeared at the press conference with Nathan and Dominic Kingsley, cool and composed as ever.

The media dubbed Evelyn "The Most Captivating CEO in History," while Cassandra had to flee her spa appointment mid-treatment from all the Evelyn praise. The injustice burned in Cassandra's chest.

Now finding Evelyn lounging in her family company like she owned the place? Unacceptable. "This is my territory!" Cassandra hissed, her manicured nails digging into her palms. "I won't tolerate your presence here."

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her icy blue eyes. "As a shareholder of Celestial Media, I don't need your permission to attend meetings." She tilted her head, a panther toying with its prey. "Unless I'm mistaken, you don't actually hold any shares, do you?"

Cassandra's face twisted with rage. "This is my family's business! I can come whenever I want. You're the one who doesn't belong here!" Her voice rose to a shrill pitch. "That pathetic little stake of yours means nothing! My father will buy you out immediately, so get out!"

Evelyn tucked a stray golden lock behind her ear, her movements deliberate. "Your family business?" Her lips curved into a dangerous smile. "Not necessarily." The mocking glint in her eyes promised a storm coming.

Soon, Celestial Media wouldn't belong to the Delacroix family at all. It would be hers.