Chapter 210

Evelyn Sinclair froze mid-step when the words hit her.

This wasn't the first time she'd received such a warning.

The initial one had come from Margaret Blackwood right before her doomed marriage to Nathan.

Now it was Eleanor Hart - Sebastian's mother - delivering the same chilling message.

Evelyn studied Eleanor's composed features. The warmth from earlier had evaporated, revealing the cold calculation beneath.

Her stomach twisted. She'd genuinely respected this woman.

"Mrs. Hart," Evelyn's voice dripped with icy amusement, "is this your way of telling me to back off?"

Eleanor's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Interpret it however you wish, dear. My son nearly lost his position on the board because of you."

Evelyn's breath caught.

"That fifty billion dollar island purchase? It almost destroyed everything he's built. His grandfather wanted him removed entirely."

The revelation struck like a physical blow. She'd thought her intervention had helped.

"Evelyn, had this been before your divorce, I might have welcomed you. But now?" Eleanor's gaze flicked toward the kitchen where Victoria Ashford was pretending not to listen. "With your scandal-ridden past? You're the worst possible match for my son."

A bitter laugh escaped Evelyn's lips.

Why bother with the charade? Just say I'm not good enough for your precious heir.

Her eyes darted between Sebastian's impatient stance and Victoria's calculated movements. The chessboard became clear.

"So you've already chosen his bride?" Evelyn's voice turned lethal. "And I'm the inconvenient obstacle?"

Eleanor didn't deny it. "Victoria comes from an impeccable family. She's accomplished, graceful, and most importantly..." Her gaze turned pointed. "Untainted."

Evelyn's lips curled into a predator's smile. She leaned down, bringing them eye-to-eye.

"Sebastian and I were never compatible anyway. Though I suppose intelligence is hereditary - from the mother's side."

Eleanor's composure cracked. "How dare you!"

Evelyn straightened, smoothing her blazer. "Let me make one thing crystal clear, Mrs. Hart. I've never encouraged your son. We've been friends for years, but that's all we'll ever be."

Her fingers tightened around her purse. "Perhaps you should focus on convincing him to move on. For his own good."

Experience had taught her the weight of family disapproval. She'd suffered enough under the Blackwoods' contempt.

And Sebastian? Their friendship had ended the moment his feelings changed.

Evelyn snatched up The Radiant Dawn painting from the side table. "We're done here."

She ignored Eleanor's sputtered protests.

Enough tolerating everyone's nonsense.

The engine of her Aston Martin roared to life. Sebastian came sprinting from the house.

"Evelyn! At least let me drive you—"

Her tires screeched as she peeled away.

Sterling Corporation's elevator doors slid open with a vengeance.

Bennett intercepted her before she reached the office. "Ms. Sinclair, Mr. Blackwood is—"

"Tell him I'm unavailable."

Her assistant winced. "He's already..."

A deep voice cut through the tension. "Unavailable?"

Evelyn whirled.

Nathan Blackwood leaned against her office doorframe, his tailored suit doing nothing to soften his predatory stance.

Bennett swallowed hard. "Mr. Blackwood insisted on waiting outside your office rather than the lounge. If you'd let me finish—"

Evelyn didn't bother with excuses. She met Nathan's piercing gaze head-on.

"Mr. Blackwood." Her voice could frost glass. "Shall we?"