Chapter 17

Nathan Blackwood stood motionless as Alexander Sterling's sleek black car disappeared around the corner, his piercing gaze dark with unreadable emotions.

His ex-wife Evelyn Sinclair had become an enigma—a runaway train he could no longer predict.

The woman who once tread carefully around him now dared to hurl insults without hesitation.

Sophia Blackwood seethed, unwilling to let Evelyn escape so easily. She lunged forward, but Nathan yanked her back with a sharp tug.

"Enough!" His voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Brother, how can you defend her?" Sophia's voice trembled with outrage. "That ungrateful wretch humiliated me—humiliated our family! After everything we gave her—"

"Sophia," Nathan interrupted coldly, "the jewelry in Highland Estates' safe belonged to Evelyn. Who gave you permission to take it?"

Though he had never personally gifted them to her, everything in that mansion had been theirs—his and Evelyn's.

Sophia scoffed. "It's just a necklace! Why are you acting like I stole from the Crown Jewels?"

Her lips curled in disdain. "Besides, what use does she have for something like the Daydream now? She's probably selling it off to fund her new boy toy!"

Nathan's jaw tightened. He wanted to reprimand her, but Sophia's eyes welled with crocodile tears, her lower lip quivering dramatically.

"I'll review the security footage."

Sophia froze mid-sob.

"You—you don't believe me?" Her voice cracked. "She set me up!"

Nathan shot her a sidelong glance. "We'll see."

As he strode into the restaurant, Sophia scrambled after him, panic flickering in her eyes.

"Brother, open your eyes!" she hissed. "Look at how that man dotes on her! She probably cheated on you long before the divorce—used your money to keep him!"

She spat the words like venom, desperate to turn Nathan against Evelyn.

"Enough!" Nathan's voice was lethal.

He stormed off, leaving Sophia gaping.

The restaurant manager, already briefed by Alexander, handed Nathan the surveillance footage without question.

One minute passed.

Then two.

Nathan's expression darkened with every second.

Sophia fidgeted beside him, her nails digging into her palms.

On screen, she and Margaret Blackwood hurled vicious insults—words so cruel they made Nathan's stomach twist.

Yet Evelyn stood there, eerily calm.

As if this wasn't new.

As if she'd endured it countless times before.

His chest constricted.

Had his family always treated her like this?

And her retaliation today—was this the first time she'd ever fought back?

A storm of emotions raged inside him.

Abruptly, he stopped the video and turned on his heel.

"Brother, wait—!"

Sophia's plea fell on deaf ears.

Nathan whirled around, his gaze burning into hers.

"This wasn't the first time, was it?"

Sophia paled. "W-what?"

"I was just angry!" she blurted. "She moved on so fast—it's disgusting!"

Nathan's laugh was hollow. He no longer recognized the spoiled, spiteful girl before him.

"Apologize to Evelyn."

"Never!" Sophia shrieked. "She ruined my dress! Why should I apologize?"

Nathan's eyes turned to ice.

"Because if you don't," he said softly, "I'll cut off your trust fund."

Sophia's breath hitched.

For the first time in her life, she realized—her brother wasn't bluffing.