Chapter 377

The earlier conversation had hinted that Evelyn Sinclair's dress might have some connection to—

Preston Sinclair's son Oliver blinked his large, luminous eyes at Evelyn before immediately shaking his head.

"It's not!" Preston Sinclair paused for a moment.

His expression softened as he clarified, "It isn't. They're just from the same designer, so the style and color are somewhat similar. Let's head back." Evelyn didn't press further and followed Preston to the table.

Oliver was taken outside while the adults remained in the banquet hall. Nathan Blackwood had been sitting in his seat, his piercing gaze fixed unwaveringly on the trio the entire time.

People approached him to converse, but he ignored them all. The main seat was now occupied by Preston, whose mysteriously powerful aura rivaled Nathan's own commanding presence.

The three individuals beside Nathan stiffened when Preston approached, quickly returning to their seats. Though this was a private dinner, it functioned more like a high-stakes business meeting.

It was a gathering of industry elites discussing power and profit. Everyone wanted to collaborate with Preston Sinclair, but they all knew none could compete with Blackwood Enterprises.

When Evelyn arrived, whatever slim hopes they had for this deal vanished entirely. She took the seat to Nathan's left, and the air grew thick with tension.

Preston paused, his voice smooth and composed as if the earlier disturbance hadn't occurred. "Tonight's dinner is an opportunity to get acquainted with all of you."

"After all, you're the key players in this industry, and I'll need your support to expand my ventures in Montecito. Secondly, I have a project that requires partners."

Preston was direct. In truth, everyone here had come for that very project. His gaze swept across the room before settling on Evelyn.

"Ms. Sterling, I wasn't aware you were interested in this venture?"

Evelyn was momentarily taken aback, but her posture remained poised.

"Sterling Worldwide has already prepared extensively for this project." Preston nodded, his demeanor gracious.

"I wasn't informed beforehand, but now that I know, I can't let your efforts go to waste." With that single sentence, the expressions around the table shifted dramatically.

Even Evelyn was surprised. She understood the implication of Preston's words, but securing the project so effortlessly was unexpected. Nathan's gaze sharpened.

His lips pressed into a thin line, his imposing aura dropping the temperature in the room by several degrees.

One of the executives couldn't resist questioning, "Mr. Sinclair, the project hasn't undergone professional evaluation or testing yet. Are you saying you've already chosen Sterling Worldwide?" His glance at Evelyn was laced with complexity.

Though Sterling Worldwide was as formidable as Blackwood Enterprises, it was rare for partnerships to be decided before a project's full maturation. They'd come tonight merely to gauge Preston's stance.

A hint was all they needed to strategize. But Preston's declaration meant all subsequent resources would now flow toward Sterling Worldwide.

"Yes," Preston confirmed. "As long as Ms. Sterling desires it, she will always be my first choice. She will always have my priority."

The words detonated like a bomb.

Silence engulfed the room. Covert glances darted toward Nathan, whose chilling aura had intensified.

Nathan's composure shattered. His face darkened as he fixed Preston with a glare sharp enough to cut glass.