Chapter 37

Nathan Blackwood rose abruptly from his seat, his stormy expression sending a clear message. Gregory Thornton remained frozen in place, his face drained of color.

Tristan Whitmore hurried after his friend. "This must be about Evelyn again," he muttered under his breath. "That woman causes nothing but trouble."

"Blackwood, what's gotten into you?" Tristan caught up to Nathan outside. "We've been friends for years. You know Greg speaks without thinking. Don't take his words to heart."

Nathan exhaled sharply, realizing he'd overreacted. The cold night air helped clear his turbulent thoughts. He lit a cigarette, the flame flickering in the darkness. "It's not about him. I'm just... frustrated with myself."

Tristan studied his friend's tense profile. "You're not still hung up on her, are you?"

Nathan shot him a withering glance, refusing to dignify the question. "Your steakhouse could learn a thing or two from this new place. Maybe consider closing shop."

"You bastard!" Tristan's face flushed crimson. "Some friend you are!"

Meanwhile, inside the glittering ballroom of the Kingsley Tech anniversary gala, New York's elite mingled beneath crystal chandeliers. Evelyn Sinclair moved through the crowd with practiced ease, her mind focused on the potential AI partnership that could propel Sterling Corporation into new territory.

A sudden hush fell over the room as all eyes turned toward the entrance. There stood Alexander Sterling, the formidable CEO of Sterling Corporation, with his stunning companion. The woman beside him commanded attention - her wavy chestnut hair elegantly pinned up, her custom Laurent Dubois gown shimmering with genuine diamonds under the chandeliers.

"Isn't that Nathan Blackwood's ex-wife?" someone whispered. "What was he thinking, letting her go?"

Alexander raised his champagne flute with a proud smile. "Allow me to introduce our Vice President, Evelyn Sinclair."

"Vice President Sinclair is breathtaking!" a businessman exclaimed. "To hold such a position at Sterling Corporation at your age is remarkable!"

Evelyn maintained her poised smile as she gracefully accepted the compliments. Alexander leaned in discreetly. "Dominic Kingsley is waiting upstairs. Shall we?"

Nearby, Sophia Blackwood and her socialite friends watched the scene with barely concealed envy. Sophia's nails dug into her palms as she recognized the exclusive gown Evelyn wore - the same one she'd been denied weeks earlier.

"How is this possible?" Sophia seethed silently. The meek, mousy woman she remembered from family gatherings now carried herself like royalty. This confident, radiant version of Evelyn was unrecognizable.

Sophia burned with the urge to expose Evelyn, to remind everyone this was the same woman the Blackwoods had discarded. She longed to rip away that composed facade and reveal the pathetic creature beneath.