Chapter 228

Archibald gave a knowing nod. "By the way, Miss Sinclair, your birthday is approaching. Any special plans?"

Had he not brought it up, Evelyn would have completely forgotten.

Her birthday was indeed just around the corner.

Evelyn laughed softly, turning to Lucas. "The celebration itself doesn't matter. What's important is my gift, right, Lucas?"

Lucas visibly paled at the reminder of the $2.8 billion he'd already spent on her.

What was a little more? Archibald chuckled at Lucas's expression. Initially, Evelyn hadn't wanted any grand celebration.

But after the incident with Genevieve and Margaret, William Sterling had insisted on making it an extravagant affair.

Sterling Corporation Headquarters

Evelyn had just stepped out of a board meeting when she spotted Alexander's stormy expression as he marched toward the elevators.

She frowned. It was rare to see her brother this furious. Without hesitation, she quickened her pace to catch up. "Alexander, what's wrong?"

His features softened slightly, but his voice remained icy. "Nothing major. Uncle Charles was making trouble, so I dealt with it."

Evelyn blinked. "Dealt with it? How exactly? Is he trying to plant someone in our company again?"

The corner of Alexander's mouth lifted in a cold smirk. "Worse. He's attempting to infiltrate our shareholders' meeting. He's been privately negotiating to buy Sterling Corporation shares from several minority holders."

Evelyn's expression darkened. "After we refused to give Genevieve that executive position last time... Are they trying to use her as a mole?"

Alexander let out a derisive snort, his eyes glacial. "A fool's fantasy."

"Then how did you handle it?" Evelyn pressed, genuinely curious now.

His smirk widened. "Since he's so eager to buy shares, he must have come into money unexpectedly. I had our auditors freeze all his accounts in Charleston."

Evelyn's jaw dropped. That was brilliantly ruthless! Alexander reached out to tap her forehead lightly. "Focus on your birthday preparations instead. Use this event to strengthen our business alliances."

Blackwood Enterprises

Tristan Whitmore burst into Nathan's office like an excited puppy, with Harrison barely managing to trail behind.

Nathan's brows knitted together as he fixed Tristan with an unamused stare. "Do you live here now?"

Tristan merely grinned, sauntering over with exaggerated casualness. He waved an elegant cream-colored invitation embossed with the Sterling family crest—a mark of undeniable prestige.

"Evelyn's birthday is tomorrow," he announced smugly. "Since you clearly didn't receive an invitation, I generously procured one for you."

Nathan's gaze instantly turned arctic. Harrison instinctively shrunk back, staying silent.

No invitations had been sent from Sterling Corporation. Harrison had deliberately avoided mentioning it to spare his boss the embarrassment. Nathan's expression grew thunderous.

Evelyn's birthday? He still didn't even know the exact date. The realization that he'd been such a neglectful husband made his chest constrict painfully.

Tristan, oblivious to the storm brewing, clapped Nathan on the shoulder. "Aren't I the best wingman? What's with the long face? Don't want to go? Suit yourself—"

Harrison stood frozen, internally screaming. Since when did Mr. Whitmore have a death wish?!

The temperature in the room seemed to plummet. Nathan's glare could have turned Tristan to stone.

After an unbearably tense silence, Tristan cleared his throat and slid the invitation across the desk. "Look, just come with me. I can't face that lion's den alone."

Nathan picked up the card mechanically. Tomorrow evening. So her birthday was tomorrow. His heart gave an odd lurch.

When he finally looked up, Tristan was studying him with far too much amusement. Nathan's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Didn't your father want that Pacific Heights development?" Nathan asked coolly.

Tristan's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, are you saying—"

"Billions for an invitation seems excessive," Nathan mused, straightening his cuffs. "Unless you're not interested..."

"I'll take it!" Tristan yelped.