Chapter 171

Evelyn Sinclair glanced at Nathan Blackwood, her gaze inadvertently catching the caller ID flashing on his phone.

Her breath hitched as if she'd been struck by an invisible force.

A sharp pain spread through her chest. Without waiting for Nathan's response, Evelyn turned away sharply, pressing the accelerator and speeding off.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. She let out a bitter laugh.

Missus?

That's what he still called her?

She had been his wife once—but not anymore. That title no longer belonged to her.

Nathan watched Evelyn's car disappear into the distance before looking down at his phone.

Missus.

The memories from before their divorce surged forward, vivid and relentless.

A dull ache settled in his chest, as if an unseen hand were squeezing his heart. His breathing grew heavier.

He had taken her love for granted.

Now, he had to fight to win her back.

Karma, indeed.

His phone buzzed again—Sophia Blackwood, his sister.

"Brother, Grandfather wants you back at the estate immediately."

"Got it."

Nathan hung up before she could say more. He exhaled sharply, trying to push away the suffocating weight in his chest.

It didn’t help.

Sophia scowled at her phone. She had hoped to gloat, but Nathan had cut her off.

He had given up his shares in Celestial Media—handing control to Evelyn.

Old Master Blackwood had been furious, nearly collapsing from rage. Sophia had already endured his wrath for failing to apologize to Evelyn properly.

Now that his anger had shifted to Nathan, she could finally breathe.

When Nathan's car pulled into the Blackwood estate, the tension in the air was palpable.

The butler greeted him the moment he stepped inside. "Young Master, the Old Master is waiting in the study."

Nathan nodded and ascended the stairs without a word.

The second he reached the study door, a teacup shattered against the wall beside him.

Nathan sidestepped, his expression cold.

"You dare show your face here?!" Old Master Blackwood's voice boomed from within.

The room was thick with tension.

"What's this about?" Nathan asked flatly.

Old Master Blackwood's jaw clenched. "You handed over your Celestial Media shares to Evelyn Sinclair just because she wanted to deal with Cassandra Delacroix? Since when do you obey her so blindly?"

His grandfather had always prided himself on Nathan's business acumen.

But lately, Blackwood Corporation's reputation had suffered—especially online. With Evelyn needing their help, this was the perfect opportunity to negotiate.

Yet Nathan had thrown it away.

How could the old man not be furious?

Nathan remained indifferent. "There was nothing to negotiate. We owe her. It was the right thing to do."

His voice was icy. "Besides, Celestial Media has been hemorrhaging money. Holding onto those shares was pointless."

He had no interest in cleaning up their mess.

If Evelyn wanted the company, she could have it.

Old Master Blackwood's anger faltered slightly at Nathan's reasoning.

If that was the case… perhaps it wasn’t entirely foolish.

His expression softened marginally. "Floyd—William Sterling—won’t forgive us easily. But an outright war benefits no one. He’s holding back—for now."

He leaned forward. "But this can’t continue. I have a solution."

Nathan frowned.

The old man continued, "In terms of family, talent, and capability, you and Evelyn are perfectly matched."

"If she hadn’t hidden her identity when she married you before, William Sterling’s daughter would have been your wife."

Nathan’s head snapped up, already anticipating what was coming.

Old Master Blackwood met his gaze squarely. "She loved you once. She can love you again. You just need to put in the effort."

His voice turned commanding.

"As long as you both remarry, everything will be resolved."

A union between Sterling Corporation and Blackwood Corporation would be unstoppable.

The perfect alliance.

The ideal outcome.

Nathan’s expression darkened. He lifted his eyes to his grandfather.

"She won’t agree to a marriage of convenience."

Especially not with me.