Chapter 215

Hearing this, Evelyn Sinclair lifted her gaze with an absentminded smile. "I admit to the first one."

As for the latter, you've truly wronged me. A devilish smirk curled her lips, her eyes glinting with barely concealed amusement.

It was clear now—Victoria Ashford must have realized she'd been played.

Victoria hadn't even answered Eleanor Hart's calls? How ruthless.

Her cold, stern eyes bore into Evelyn as she pressed on.

"Who do you think you are, getting Nathan Blackwood to cut me out of that deal?" Victoria's voice was sharp with fury. "Do you have any idea how much effort I put into breaking into the San Francisco market and securing that connection?"

She hadn't bothered with small companies—she'd gone straight for Kingsley Tech.

It had taken meticulous planning to earn Nathan Blackwood's trust and approval. And yet, Evelyn had dismantled it all with just a few words.

How could Victoria not be furious?

Evelyn let out a light laugh, her expression dripping with disdain.

"Your so-called effort was telling Nathan that you could make Sebastian Hart completely give up on me?"

Victoria stiffened, shock flickering across her face.

How did she know?

The icy smile on Evelyn's lips widened.

"Ms. Ashford, your methods are truly… remarkable." Her tone was mocking. "I'm genuinely curious—where did you get the confidence that you could win over the famously fickle Sebastian Hart?"

Victoria had come prepared, armed with research on everyone's preferences and personalities. But she had overestimated herself.

If Sebastian hadn't been interested in her from the start, what made her think he would be now?

Evelyn had no intention of meddling in their affairs—but Victoria had dragged her into it.

"How do you know about that?" Victoria demanded. Nathan wasn't the type to share private conversations.

Evelyn pulled out her phone and waved it lazily.

"Funny coincidence. The night you and Nathan were talking at the Velvet Lounge, a friend of mine happened to be in the next booth."

That friend was Natalie Beaumont.

Natalie had only remembered the conversation days later and immediately called Evelyn. Everything clicked into place.

Victoria's face hardened, her composure slipping.

Even now, she refused to crumble. "I underestimated you, Evelyn."

She had assumed Evelyn was just another spoiled heiress, sheltered by her family. Even if Evelyn held power at Sterling Corporation, Victoria had thought her naive to the cutthroat nature of business.

But Evelyn had outplayed her.

"Ms. Ashford, I think you simply overestimated yourself."

Evelyn arched a brow, a soft laugh escaping her.

"You really thought a few well-placed rumors and some poison in Eleanor Hart's ear would make Sebastian marry you?"

Victoria's expression darkened at Evelyn's bluntness.

Her restraint snapped.

"Evelyn, you were in love with Nathan once. How can you not understand how I feel? I've loved Sebastian for ten years!" Her voice trembled with barely suppressed emotion. "I've watched him with other women and never cared—but with you, it's different."

Her jaw clenched, her face pale with anguish.

"The way he looks at you… If you don't love him, let him go. Why string him along? Why stop me from loving him?"

Evelyn studied Victoria's near-hysterical outburst with cool detachment.

Her gaze sharpened, a dangerous glint beneath the calm.

So that was it? Victoria resented her for this?

Evelyn couldn't help but scoff.

Was this another attempt at emotional blackmail?

She tapped a finger against the desk, her voice cutting.

"Ms. Ashford, don't bother trying to guilt-trip me. It won't work." A slow, wicked smile curved her lips. "I'm a woman without morals."

Evelyn Sinclair had never lost an argument.

And she wasn't about to start now.