Chapter 224

Evelyn turned her gaze toward Donovan, who was engaged in a phone conversation. The warmth in her eyes as she watched him sent an immediate chill through Nathan's entire being.

The executives trailing behind Nathan didn't recognize Donovan Sterling, but Nathan knew exactly who he was. Donovan held the distinction of being the youngest recipient ever of the prestigious Breakthrough Prize.

That record remained unbroken to this day. Operating under his pseudonym "Sunner," Donovan had effortlessly solved the most complex problem in Dominic Kingsley's research project.

Nathan hadn't seen Donovan in months and certainly hadn't expected to find him standing beside Evelyn at this particular moment.

Watching them together made his blood boil.

Nathan's dark eyes bore into Evelyn with an intensity that could melt steel. His imposing presence radiated aristocratic refinement as he stood there, every inch the untouchable billionaire.

Yet Evelyn remained utterly indifferent to his existence. Their business had been concluded, their accounts settled. They owed each other nothing now.

Donovan ended his call and approached Evelyn with a troubled expression marring his handsome features. He leaned down to murmur something in that gentle, coaxing tone he reserved only for her.

"There's an emergency at the lab. I need to head back immediately." Evelyn's face instantly clouded over. She crossed her arms, her lower lip jutting out in a dramatic pout.

"You promised me the entire day! Why do you always break your promises?" Donovan showed not the slightest irritation at her tantrum.

He patiently explained the situation, his voice soothing. "The experiment has reached a critical phase. Any delay could ruin months of work."

"Let me at least take you home first. Your apartment or the office?" Evelyn shot him an exasperated look. Nathan's looming presence already had her on edge, and she had no desire to prolong this conversation.

With a frustrated huff, she tossed her golf club aside and stormed off. Donovan calmly retrieved the discarded club before hurrying after her, his placating words floating on the breeze.

To any observer, they appeared like lovers in the midst of a lovers' quarrel.

Both could feel the icy daggers of Nathan's stare boring into their backs, yet neither turned to acknowledge him.

The executives trailing Nathan exchanged uneasy glances. They'd all recognized Evelyn Sinclair - Nathan Blackwood's infamous ex-wife - immediately.

Her apparent closeness with another man created an awkward situation none dared comment on. Provoking Nathan's wrath wasn't worth their careers.

This golf outing had taken months to arrange - a precious opportunity to discuss business with the elusive billionaire. Running into this scene made several executives wish they'd chosen a different venue.

Just as someone prepared to redirect Nathan's attention, he abruptly turned. His expression could have frozen hell over.

"Meeting's canceled." His tone brooked no argument. "We'll reschedule."

With that, Nathan strode off in the same direction Evelyn had disappeared.

He'd nearly caught up to the pair when a woman materialized directly in his path. Dripping in designer labels and enough jewelry to sink a small boat, she dramatically twisted her ankle and tumbled toward him.

"Oops!"

Nathan could have easily caught her. Instead, he took a deliberate step back, allowing her to crash unceremoniously to the ground.

The disdain in his eyes was palpable. "Are you blind?" he snapped as the woman sprawled at his feet.

Wincing in genuine pain, she forced a sickeningly sweet smile. "What an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Blackwood." Her voice oozed artificial sweetness.

With Evelyn slipping further away, Nathan glared down at the interloper. Recognition flickered across his features as he took in her face.

For just a heartbeat, he froze. Then his expression turned glacial once more.

At first glance, the woman bore a passing resemblance to Evelyn Sinclair.

But upon closer inspection, her features were all wrong.

Each element seemed artificially constructed, losing any semblance to Evelyn when combined.

Her face appeared unnaturally stiff, lacking even a fraction of Evelyn's effortless grace.

The deliberate arrangement of her plastic features created a grotesque parody of Evelyn's beauty.

Nathan Blackwood's entire demeanor turned glacial.

His piercing gaze dripped with undisguised contempt.

"Get out of my sight," he commanded through clenched teeth, his voice laced with venom.

The woman - Genevieve Dawson - forced a saccharine smile despite the rejection.

"Mr. Blackwood, I'm Lydia... I mean, Genevieve. Evelyn's cousin." Her voice trembled with nervous excitement.

Gossip about Nathan and Evelyn's estrangement had spread through New York's elite circles.

With Evelyn having publicly moved on, Genevieve saw her opportunity.

She believed her surgically enhanced resemblance to Evelyn could secure her place as the next Mrs. Blackwood.

The thought of becoming the Blackwood heiress made her pulse quicken.

Nathan's expression darkened further.

His glacial stare didn't waver. "I don't give a damn who you are."

He had zero patience for this charade. "This is your final warning."

His tone could have frozen the Hudson River.

Without another glance, he strode past her toward his waiting car.

His attention remained fixed on Evelyn, who had just entered Donovan Sterling's vehicle.

Evelyn's gaze flickered briefly toward the scene before deliberately looking away.

Inside the car, Donovan frowned. "Isn't that Genevieve Dawson? Who's she performing for?"

His lip curled in distaste. "That staged stumble was painfully obvious."