Chapter 45

Sebastian Hart smirked as he glanced sideways at Nathan Blackwood. His lips curled into a smug, reckless grin that seemed to mock Nathan's current predicament.

"Look at him! Even the great Nathan Blackwood has his off days," Sebastian taunted under his breath.

Tristan Whitmore finally caught up with Nathan, following his gaze to Evelyn Sinclair's retreating figure. "Tsk tsk, Blackwood," Tristan clucked his tongue. "Since the divorce is finalized, no point regretting it now. That woman was just playing cheap tricks anyway."

Nathan shot him a sidelong glare that could freeze hell. "Since when do I need your advice on how to handle my affairs?"

A sudden chill ran down Tristan's spine, silencing him immediately.

The way Evelyn had humiliated Nathan in front of everyone still burned in Tristan's memory. If he felt this furious just witnessing it, he couldn't imagine how Nathan must feel. Sure, Sophia might have gone too far with her words, but hadn't Evelyn brought this upon herself by begging to marry Nathan in the first place?

When Evelyn first entered the grand hall, she'd been immediately surrounded by eager socialites and businessmen - some drawn by her position at Sterling Corporation, others simply hungry for tonight's drama.

Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to expand her network and gather insider information, Evelyn gracefully engaged with each guest. She clinked champagne flutes with practiced ease, taking only polite sips as she worked the room. Nobody dared pressure her to drink more.

Even with Sebastian intercepting several drinks on her behalf, Evelyn still felt lightheaded after the networking session. Seizing a quiet moment, she slipped away to the ladies' room. The cold water against her flushed skin helped clear the fog in her head. Just as she reached for a paper towel, Evelyn heard Sophia Blackwood's shrill voice approaching from the hallway.

"That bitch Evelyn won't get away with this! Humiliating our family like that!" Sophia's heels clicked angrily against the marble floor. "Did you see how she was practically throwing herself at every man in there? As if sleeping her way to the top makes her some kind of empowered woman? She should look in the mirror - she'll always be that pathetic gold-digger we kicked out!"

Sophia and her entourage froze when they entered to find Evelyn leaning casually against the sink, arms crossed, a frosty smile playing on her lips.

Sophia recovered quickly, her face twisting into its usual sneer. "Ugh, my luck just keeps getting worse. Can't even use the bathroom without running into trash."

Evelyn chuckled darkly. "The feeling's mutual, I assure you."

Sophia's perfectly plucked eyebrows shot up. "Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

Evelyn turned on the tap behind her with precise, fluid motion. The running water masked their conversation from potential eavesdroppers. "People might not know your true colors, Sophia, but do you really think you can rewrite history? You're still that spoiled brat who reeks of entitlement."

"You should be thanking your lucky stars I haven't exposed all your dirty little secrets," Evelyn continued, her voice glacial despite the deceptively soft curve of her lips. "Don't go looking for trouble you can't handle."

Sophia's face contorted with rage. "How dare you threaten me? I'm a Blackwood! You're nothing but discarded trash my brother threw away!"

Without Nathan present, Sophia's true colors shone bright. She'd always despised her sister-in-law, that ingrained sense of superiority boiling over now. How could this nobody Evelyn ever think she belonged in their world? What had she ever contributed to Nathan's career? What connections did her family offer?

For three years, Sophia had delighted in making Evelyn hand-wash her delicate garments, screaming when anything got "ruined." She'd refused to pour her own water, summoning Evelyn like a servant. If unsatisfied, she'd demand Evelyn redo everything.

Evelyn's silent endurance had only fed Sophia's cruelty, making her believe this treatment was justified - that Evelyn deserved to grovel.

Even after the divorce, Sophia remained convinced Evelyn would always be beneath her.

"Only in your delusional mind are the Blackwoods untouchable," Evelyn scoffed, her playful smile not reaching her cold eyes. "I'd love to know where you get that superiority complex."

Sophia barked a laugh. "Why didn't you say that when you were begging to marry my brother? Forgotten how desperate you were, Evelyn? Willing to be Vanessa's personal blood bank just to worm your way into our family? That's your glorious legacy!"

Evelyn's smile vanished, her expression turning dangerously calm.

"Not desperate, Sophia. Just blind." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But if you want to revisit the past, I'll happily remind you of every detail."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "What could some broke nobody possibly have on me?"

Evelyn's fingers twitched toward her clutch. "Try me."

Sophia opened her mouth to retort when suddenly— "AHHH!" Her piercing scream echoed through the bathroom.