Chapter 470

Oliver Sinclair huffed impatiently. "Bring the sugar. I'll do it myself!" He couldn't trust anyone in Nathan Blackwood's circle.

Not after last time.

What if they deliberately made Evelyn's coffee bitter? The flight attendant arrived with a porcelain cup and silver sugar bowl.

Nathan's lips curled into that infuriating smirk as he deliberately provoked the boy. "Don't overdo it. Evelyn prefers her coffee black." Oliver stuck out his tongue defiantly.

He'd prove this arrogant man wrong. Evelyn adored sweet things - he just knew it! Without hesitation, Oliver dumped six heaping spoonfuls until the dark liquid nearly overflowed. Only then did he step back, satisfied.

"She'll taste my affection in every sip!" Nathan arched an eyebrow but didn't intervene, calmly sipping his own bitter brew.

Oliver carefully carried the syrupy concoction to Evelyn. "Muse! I made this special for you. No one else gets coffee this perfect."

Evelyn paused her reading with an amused smile. "How thoughtful. Set it here darling, I'll enjoy it later."

The boy practically skipped back to his seat. William Sterling extended a hand. "I could use a pick-me-up. May I?" Evelyn readily passed him the cup.

One sip had William coughing violently into his handkerchief.

"Father!" Evelyn rushed to his side with tissues. "Are you alright?"

William shot Oliver an incredulous look before composing himself. "Just... remembered my doctor warned against sugar." That cup could send a diabetic into shock.

Oliver's triumphant grin faltered as Evelyn discreetly had the coffee removed. Nathan's quiet chuckle made his small hands clench.

"You tricked me!" Oliver accused, tiny chest heaving. "Grown-ups shouldn't lie to children!"

Nathan's smirk widened. "Last I checked, real men take responsibility for their choices." He deliberately used Oliver's favorite phrase against him.

The boy turned away with a dramatic huff. "When I inherit Daddy's empire, I'll crush you beneath my Italian loafers!"

After escorting Evelyn and William to Sterling Manor, Nathan returned to Aspen Lodge. Margaret Blackwood awaited with visible satisfaction - she'd finally convinced Old Master Blackwood to abandon the Sterling alliance.

No more tolerating that headstrong Evelyn. Margaret would happily accept any biddable girl - especially one she could control.

Entering the grand foyer, Nathan froze. There, sipping tea with his mother, sat Victoria Ashford of all people.

"Mr. Blackwood!" Victoria nearly spilled her Earl Grey in her haste to stand. Margaret beamed.

"I invited Ms. Ashford. Our families have such history." Her pointed glance said everything. "She'll be staying the week. You'll show her around, won't you darling?"

Nathan's cane hit the marble with a sharp crack. "What is this?" His glacial tone made Victoria pale.

Margaret's smile didn't waver. "Consider it... an alternative investment."