Chapter 235

Sebastian Hart emerged from the shadows, his shoulders visibly relaxing when he spotted Evelyn Sinclair. "I thought you'd been taken," he exhaled sharply. "But knowing you, you're more likely to be the kidnapper than the victim."

"Don't bring up Nathan Blackwood." Evelyn swiftly composed herself, descending the staircase with practiced grace. The click of her stilettos echoed through the grand hall, each step a deliberate performance of nonchalance.

Her chest still burned with unresolved tension. She shot Sebastian an icy glare, her expression unreadable as marble. The way her emerald gown cascaded over her curves would've made any observer believe she hadn't just left a warzone.

Genevieve Dawson scurried after her, teeth worrying her bottom lip. "Evelyn," she ventured timidly, "is Mr. Blackwood...alright?"

Evelyn's crimson lips curled in a smirk sharp enough to draw blood. One glance at Genevieve's trembling hands told her everything. Had the girl owned her ambition outright, Evelyn might have respected her.

But this pitiful act? This pretense of innocence while eyeing another woman's ex? Disgusting.

Evelyn tilted her chin toward the upstairs suite, her voice glacial. "Why don't you go see for yourself?" Even if she despised Nathan, vultures would always circle his fortune.

Three years ago might have broken her. Not anymore.

Now she wore indifference like armor. Genevieve flushed scarlet. "That's not—"

"Unnecessary," Sebastian cut in, studying Genevieve with newfound suspicion. He'd known the Sterlings for years. Since when did Evelyn have a cousin who cowered like a kicked puppy?

Evelyn flicked an invisible speck from her sleeve. "Her mother is sleeping with my uncle." That was all the explanation she'd give. Family scandals weren't for public consumption.

Sebastian merely hummed, already losing interest. Genevieve released a breath she'd been holding. If only she bore the Sterling name instead of Dawson. Her mother Margaret had begged Charles Sterling for years to legitimize them.

Always dismissed with a laugh. Always treated as a joke.

The moment Evelyn and Sebastian reached the ballroom floor, Alexander and Lucas Sterling materialized like twin storms. Thankfully, the swirling dancers provided cover. Sebastian's smile froze.

This. Was. Bad.

His knees actually wobbled. Alexander's gaze could've flash-frozen the champagne fountain. Beside him, Lucas leaned against a pillar, all rakish charm and hidden knives.

Evelyn arched a perfect brow. "What's this?"

Lucas blocked her path with an outstretched arm, deadly serious. "Just need a word with Mr. Hart about his little...performance earlier." His grin didn't reach his eyes. "Fireworks. Roses. Surely there's an explanation?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "By all means." Her good mood had evaporated the second Nathan's lips touched hers. Damn the man.

Sebastian gaped. "You're abandoning me?" His pleading look bounced off Evelyn's indifference as she deliberately turned away.

Alexander's voice dropped to subzero. "While we appreciate your...friendship with our sister, ensure tonight's spectacle isn't repeated." Every syllable dripped with restrained violence.

Lucas cracked his knuckles. "Our Evelyn's about to become the wealthiest woman alive. She hasn't time for distractions." His smile turned feral. "Unless you'd prefer to discuss this with me?"

Sebastian's eye twitched. What exactly was there to "discuss" with a man who'd once knocked out a paparazzo for snapping Evelyn's photo?