Chapter 57

The moment Evelyn Sinclair spotted the approaching figure, her emerald eyes flashed with fiery intensity. She strode forward with purpose, her designer heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

"Nathan," she said through gritted teeth, "Your mother stole my grandfather's antique jade pipe!"

Sophia Blackwood clutched her mother's arm in panic. "It's the family heirloom! When Grandfather finds out it's missing—"

Nathan Blackwood stood framed in the doorway, his towering silhouette cutting an imposing figure. The dim lighting cast shadows across his chiseled features as his icy gaze swept over the room.

"Enough!" His voice cracked like a whip. "You dare steal from your own family?"

Margaret Blackwood trembled and ducked behind her daughter, shrinking under her son's withering glare. Behind Nathan, the event coordinator stood frozen, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Are the transfer documents finalized?" the coordinator whispered to his assistant.

"Everything's been processed, sir," came the hushed reply.

Evelyn felt the weight of the jade pipe in her clutch. With legal ownership secured, she held all the power now. She turned to Adrian Prescott beside her. "Let's go. We wouldn't want to interrupt this touching family reunion."

Without sparing them another glance, she pivoted on her stiletto heel.

"Evelyn." Nathan's voice dropped to a dangerous octave. "You're not leaving with that."

Margaret suddenly found her courage. "You can't let her take it!" she shrieked, emboldened by her son's presence.

Evelyn's lips curled into a smirk as she brandished the legal documents. "I believe this says otherwise." She deliberately let her gaze linger on Nathan's stormy expression, savoring his frustration. "Perhaps you should focus on explaining to your grandfather how his precious heirloom ended up at a charity auction. I wonder what he'll do when he learns it now belongs to me?"

Margaret's face drained of color. The thought of the Blackwood patriarch's wrath made her knees buckle. This scandal could get her banished from the family entirely!

Nathan's jaw tightened, the air around him turning arctic. "Name your price."

Evelyn's musical laughter filled the tense space. "Darling, do I look like I need your money?" She dangled the jade pipe tauntingly. "You want this back? In your dreams."

With that final jab, she swept out of the room, Adrian scrambling to keep pace.

Margaret clawed at Nathan's arm. "You can't just let her walk away! We have to—"

Nathan cut her off with a glacial stare. "I'll handle it. You two should worry about explaining this to Grandfather." Adjusting his cufflinks, he turned on his heel.

The old man likely already knew his treasure was missing. Nathan had no intention of shielding them from the consequences of their actions.

Margaret's eyes rolled back as she collapsed into her daughter's arms. Sophia's frantic cries for help went unanswered as Nathan disappeared down the hall.

Outside, the auction staff offered Evelyn security escorts for her valuable acquisition, but she declined with polite indifference. The pipe itself meant nothing—only the satisfaction of watching the Blackwood women squirm.

The elevator doors slid open. "Isn't that Mr. Blackwood?" Adrian murmured as Nathan's unmistakable frame approached.

Evelyn's fingers hovered over the buttons. Not a chance in hell she'd share an elevator with that man. She stabbed the 'close' button with determination.