Chapter 197

At the bar counter, the bartender who overheard Evelyn Sinclair and Isabella Montgomery's conversation couldn't suppress a smirk.

Only Evelyn would dare call Nathan Blackwood worthless in this entire city.

Wait—

The bartender's eyes widened when he spotted a tall, imposing figure standing behind the two women.

Those sharp features in the dim lighting... It couldn't be...

His hands trembled violently. The cocktail shaker slipped from his grasp, shattering on the marble counter with a loud crash.

"M-Mr. B-Blackwood?"

Both Evelyn and Isabella froze simultaneously. Years of friendship had given them perfect synchronization—neither turned around.

Speak of the devil indeed. Evelyn felt her skin prickle under the intensity of that burning gaze.

Her pulse raced. Then she steeled herself. What was there to fear? Even if she said it to his face, it would still be true—Nathan Blackwood meant nothing to her now.

With renewed confidence, Evelyn spun around.

Empty space. She frowned and shot the bartender a death glare.

"I swear! He was right there!" The bartender stammered, wiping sweat from his brow. "One second he was there, the next—poof! Gone!"

Isabella exhaled shakily, though she couldn't explain her own relief. A sudden drumroll grabbed everyone's attention.

Evelyn's gaze snapped to the stage where a familiar figure sat behind the drum set, lost in the rhythm.

"Sebastian Hart?" Isabella grinned knowingly.

She leaned closer to Evelyn. "Guess who's returning to town? Victoria Ashford."

Victoria Ashford—CEO of Ashford Enterprises and current head of the powerful Ashford family from Santa Barbara.

After her parents' tragic death, the young heiress had single-handedly rescued her family's empire from collapse. The business world knew her as the "Ice Queen"—ruthless, brilliant, and untouchable.

Few knew about her decade-long unrequited love for Sebastian Hart.

Evelyn's drink nearly slipped from her fingers. "She came back for him?"

Isabella arched an eyebrow. "Why else would the Ice Queen grace our humble Velvet Lounge?"

Evelyn choked on her cocktail. "Well damn. Someone's about to get claimed."

On stage, Sebastian lost himself in the music's crescendo. As the final beat echoed, he twirled his drumsticks with a roguish grin that sent female patrons swooning.

Evelyn instinctively raised her hand to applaud—only for Sebastian to lock eyes with her.

He grabbed the microphone. "The woman I adore is cheering for me tonight."

With a deliberate wink at Evelyn, he sent the crowd into hysterics. She immediately dropped her hand, cheeks flaming as she turned away.

"That lunatic!" Evelyn hissed.

Isabella ducked her head, pretending not to know them. "The man has no shame."

From the VIP balcony above, every moment played out in perfect clarity.

Nathan Blackwood observed the radiant Sebastian with stormy eyes, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth.

Across from him sat an elegant woman with a sleek bob—her aura so icy it could frost the champagne flute in her white-knuckled grip.

Though young, Victoria Ashford carried herself with the poise of a seasoned executive. Not a single emotion flickered across her porcelain face—except when her gaze lingered on Sebastian.

For one unguarded moment, raw jealousy flashed in her eyes before vanishing behind her usual impenetrable mask.

"Mr. Blackwood," she said coolly, raising her glass, "I trust our collaboration will be... mutually beneficial."

Their crystal glasses touched with a delicate chime. The deal was sealed.