Chapter 362

Sterling Worldwide Headquarters.

Evelyn Sinclair needed to discuss Preston Sinclair's situation with Alexander Sterling.

The moment she stepped into the marble lobby, her eyes landed on a vaguely familiar woman sitting in the waiting area.

Celeste Rousseau.

Their gazes locked simultaneously.

Celeste's face was ghostly pale, with still-visible slap marks marring her cheeks. She sprang up but was immediately blocked by security.

"Stay where you are!"

Celeste's desperate eyes pleaded with Evelyn. "I just need Ethan Caldwell's contact details. I've realized I must return what I owe him..."

Evelyn's mocking laugh made Celeste stiffen.

"Give it to me. I'll deliver it for you."

She extended her hand with a raised eyebrow.

If Gregory Thornton hadn't exposed Celeste's deception, would this woman be so eager to repay Ethan now?

The repayment was clearly just an excuse. What Celeste truly wanted was to reconnect with Sterling Worldwide's heir apparent.

Celeste hesitated. "I... I need to give it to him personally."

Evelyn stepped closer. "You know exactly what I am to him, yet you're asking me for his number? How pathetic can you get?"

Celeste's head jerked up angrily.

But she didn't dare lay a finger on Evelyn.

"Let me guess - you're broke after Gregory dumped you, and now you're hunting for your next meal ticket?"

Evelyn's blunt words made Celeste flush with humiliation.

"That's not true!"

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. Celeste clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.

"I just want to apologize."

Evelyn pulled out her phone. "Fine, I won't interfere with your nonsense. Wait."

Celeste's eyes brightened with hope.

The call connected after three rings.

"Evelyn? What's wrong?"

Celeste's face fell at Ethan's warm tone toward Evelyn. She quickly masked her disappointment.

"Celeste Rousseau is in my lobby," Evelyn stated coolly. "She claims she wants to repay you. Should I give her your details?"

The prolonged silence spoke volumes about Ethan's disgust.

When he finally spoke, his voice could have frozen hell. "Have her leave the money with you. Consider it compensation for dirtying your floors."

Celeste's purse hit the ground with a thud.

Her voice cracked with desperation. "Ethan! I know I was wrong! Please! Just give me five minutes—"

His response was glacial. "Do I look like a garbage collector to you? I don't collect trash!"

When Celeste tried to interrupt, Ethan cut her off.

"Evelyn, I'm in a meeting. I'll call you later."

The line went dead.

Evelyn pocketed her phone with an indifferent glance. "Satisfied?"

Her patience had evaporated.

"Ms. Sterling, please—"

Evelyn cut her off with a derisive laugh. "Why the hell would I help you?"

Turning on her heel, she headed for the elevators, tossing instructions to security.

"Remove her. Call the police if she resists."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Upstairs in Alexander's office, Evelyn relayed Nathan Blackwood's warning.

Her brother remained silent for a full minute before bursting into laughter.

"Nathan's quite confident in your failure, isn't he?"

"What?"

"He wouldn't have warned you unless he was certain you'd lose."

Evelyn stared incredulously. Was her own brother enjoying her potential downfall?

"Since my inheritance is at stake, I can't afford to lose."

Alexander produced an envelope from his desk drawer.

"I just discovered this before you arrived. The butler's frequent destination whenever he visited the city."

Evelyn frowned at the address. "An amusement park?"