Chapter 44

Evelyn Sinclair's lips curled into a mocking smile as she fixed Sophia Blackwood with an icy stare. Her eyelids lowered slightly, the movement deliberate and controlled. "Ms. Blackwood," she said, her voice dripping with disdain, "do you truly believe humiliating me with these tired old stories reflects poorly on me? The shame belongs to your family - treating their daughter-in-law like a common servant."

She tilted her head, her gaze sharp as shattered glass. "Tell me, who in their right mind would marry into the Blackwood family now?"

"You were clearly trying to seduce my brother earlier!" Sophia spat, her face flushed with anger. The accusation hung between them, heavy and toxic.

Evelyn's laugh was light, almost musical, but her eyes remained cold. "Seduce Nathan Blackwood?" She shook her head slowly. "I have more self-respect than that."

The memory of that unexpected kiss at the end of their dance still burned in Evelyn's mind. She knew how it must have looked to the watching crowd - like she'd orchestrated the whole thing.

Her gaze flickered to Nathan, standing nearby. When their eyes met, her lips twisted into something bitter and knowing. "Three years ago, I was foolish enough to marry Mr. Blackwood. But I'm not that naive girl anymore." She squared her shoulders. "I'd seduce every man in this room before I'd ever look at Nathan Blackwood again."

Sophia recoiled slightly at the venom in Evelyn's words. This wasn't the meek, compliant woman she remembered. This Evelyn was someone entirely different - someone dangerous.

The sharp clink of Evelyn's wine glass being set down shattered the tense silence. Without another word, she turned on her heel and headed for the stairs, leaving the stunned crowd behind. Sebastian Hart shot Nathan and Sophia one last scathing look before following her.

Nathan stood frozen, his expression unreadable as he watched Evelyn walk away. Tristan Whitmore, sensing the need to diffuse the situation, quickly pulled Dominic Kingsley aside.

"Mr. Kingsley," Tristan said with forced cheerfulness, "about this three-way partnership - any chance we could expand it to four?"

Dominic adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "No."

Tristan sighed. "Couldn't you at least try to be diplomatic about it?"

"Apologies," Dominic replied smoothly. "But no."

By the time Tristan turned back, Nathan had disappeared. "Where'd he go?" Tristan muttered to himself. Dominic merely nodded toward the lower level before walking away.

Downstairs, the lounge was quieter, the tension from above not yet having filtered down. Sebastian hovered near Evelyn, his concern evident.

"Did Nathan do something to you?" he demanded. "Why was Sophia accusing you like that?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "It was nothing. Just a misunderstanding."

Sebastian clenched his fists. "If he hurt you, I swear—"

"Have you seen Alexander?" Evelyn interrupted, glancing around.

"He went to the VIP section with Chairman Kingsley," Sebastian said. "Want me to take you to him?"

Evelyn shook her head. Then she stiffened - Nathan was walking toward them.

"Not this again," she muttered under her breath. Without hesitation, she took Sebastian's arm and turned to leave.

"Evelyn." Nathan's voice was low, intense. "We need to talk."

She didn't even break stride. "There's nothing to discuss."

An apology? Now? After everything? Evelyn knew better than to think words could undo the past. Some wounds never healed, no matter how many empty phrases you stuffed into them.

She kept walking, leaving Nathan standing alone in the middle of the room. Some things, once broken, could never be fixed. And Evelyn Sinclair was done trying.