Chapter 420

Evelyn Sinclair lifted her champagne flute, taking a deliberate sip. The last person she wanted to engage with was Teddy Winslow.

She wished she could vanish into the crowd, pretending not to recognize him.

Teddy, however, had other plans. His one-sided conversation with Evelyn quickly drew curious glances from nearby guests. Gregory Thornton, undeterred, sauntered over with his own drink, eyeing Teddy with suspicion.

Who is this man? Evelyn had no intention of introducing him.

Teddy, ever bold, rose to his feet and scrutinized Gregory. There was something unsettling in Gregory’s gaze—a mix of resentment and something darker.

Teddy’s lips curled into a smirk. His eyes narrowed as he extended a hand.

"Goodness, it’s been ages!"

Gregory hesitated. The man seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place him.

He forced a stiff smile. "Indeed. I see you and Ms. Sinclair are quite engrossed. Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all!"

Teddy waved a hand, exuding effortless charm. To an outsider, he appeared perfectly at ease, as if he belonged among the elite.

Gregory’s smile turned sly.

"Ms. Sinclair, you truly are magnetic. Men flock to you wherever you go."

Teddy cut in sharply, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Please, let’s not delude ourselves. A woman like Ms. Sinclair deserves someone of Nathaniel Blackwood’s caliber. Not someone like you."

Gregory’s smirk faltered.

Did he just call me old?

"Which company do you represent?" Gregory asked, feigning polite interest.

His eyes, however, gleamed with danger. One wrong answer, and he could ruin whoever Teddy worked for.

Teddy grinned. "Wouldn’t you like to know?"

The air thickened with tension.

Evelyn considered intervening, but her gaze caught Preston Sinclair’s from across the room.

Preston ended his call and strode toward them, his expression grim. He grasped Evelyn’s wrist, leaning in to whisper.

"He’s awake. The doctors want us there immediately."

Evelyn’s breath hitched. Without a word, she followed Preston out.

No one noticed Gregory’s face darken at Preston’s words.

Teddy hesitated, then hurried after them—but he was too slow.

Evelyn and Preston were already gone, their car disappearing into the night. Marcus followed in another vehicle, leaving Teddy standing alone.

Inside the car, Evelyn’s fingers clenched. "Is he really conscious?"

Preston let out a low chuckle. The glint of his watch mirrored the cold city lights.

"No. That man won’t be waking up."

Evelyn froze. "So this is a setup?"

Preston’s earlier words clicked into place. "One of those three is behind this?"

He gave her an approving nod. "Exactly."

Her stomach dropped.

She had assumed it was one of her enemies, but she’d never crossed paths with Gregory, Sebastian Montgomery, or Nathaniel Whitmore before.

Unless…

Her eyes met Preston’s.

His voice was ice. "You guessed right. It’s about the project."

Evelyn exhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay calm.

"How did you uncover this?"

Preston’s gaze was frigid. "I have people watching them. They slipped up."

Her pulse raced. "So it is Gregory?"

Theodore was brash but honest. Nathaniel was cunning but careful. Only Gregory had shown open hostility.

The realization made her skin crawl.

Preston’s lips curved. "We’ll know soon enough."