Chapter 58

Evelyn Sinclair barely glanced at the man outside the elevator, treating him like a complete stranger. The steel doors slid shut, cutting off her view of him completely.

Inside Adrian Prescott's sleek sports car, he finally voiced the question burning in his mind. "This artifact must be incredibly valuable. Why are the Blackwoods so desperate to get it back?"

Evelyn chuckled, turning the ornate box in her hands. "It's over a millennium old. Rumor has it this came from a royal treasury and has been in the Blackwood family for nearly eight centuries. What do you think?"

Adrian nearly swerved as the realization hit him. "That's practically priceless! They actually auctioned this? No wonder Nathan Blackwood told you to name your price. You could ask for nine figures and he wouldn't blink!"

The ringing of Evelyn's phone cut through the moment. Seeing Alexander Sterling's name flash on the screen, she answered with a smile. "Brother, I just acquired a little... keepsake."

There was a pause before Alexander's amused voice came through. "I heard. Only you would spend that much just to spite the Blackwoods."

Evelyn couldn't suppress her grin, imagining Sophia and Margaret Blackwood's reactions. "Well, it's mine now. And I have no intention of letting it go."

Alexander knew his sister too well. Her recent disappointments with the Blackwood family had left her looking for any opportunity to retaliate. If this made her happy, he wouldn't interfere.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Evelyn arrived at Sterling Corp to handle some pressing matters. Olivia Kensington had been shooting daggers at her lately, but didn't dare make a move - Evelyn held too much leverage over her.

Bennett knocked and entered with documents. "Vice President Sinclair, the board has initiated an investigation into Olivia Kensington's kickbacks on multiple projects."

Evelyn looked up, intrigued. "So my brother's making his move?"

"Yes. With Victor Kensington backing Olivia, President Sterling decided it's time to act. To remove Victor, we must first expose Olivia. She likely knows she's powerless now - explains why she stopped harassing you about the Kingsley Tech collaboration."

Evelyn tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then let's add fuel to the fire. Hand over that recording from my dinner with Olivia and Richard Dawson."

"Of course, ma'am." Bennett hesitated. "There's one more thing. Mr. Blackwood's secretary called requesting a lunch meeting."

Evelyn leaned back, arms crossed, her gaze turning icy. "Tell them I'm unavailable. And from now on, decline any invitations from him without consulting me."

At noon, just as Evelyn was preparing to leave for lunch, Bennett reappeared holding an extravagant bouquet. "Vice President Sinclair—"

"I thought I told you to discard those?" Evelyn frowned.

"How could you wound me like this, darling?" Sebastian Hart emerged dramatically from behind Bennett. "I personally selected every bloom! And you didn't even act surprised!"

Evelyn shot Bennett an exasperated look. The assistant lowered his head apologetically before making a quick escape.

Sebastian stormed into her office, his handsome face a picture of mock outrage. "I came to take you to lunch and this is the welcome I get?"

Evelyn massaged her temples. "Sebastian, you know how much office gossip this causes."

"I want everyone to know you're taken!" Sebastian declared without shame. "So they'll back off!"

Evelyn sighed. "You're wasting your time."

"That's my choice to make." His expression softened into a roguish grin. "Since you've wronged me, you're buying lunch today."

Rolling her eyes, Evelyn grabbed her purse. "Fine. You pick the place."

Fate had a cruel sense of humor - their chosen restaurant brought them face-to-face with the last people Evelyn wanted to see.

Tristan Whitmore sneered. "Too busy for Nathan but available for Sebastian Hart? Alexander Sterling, Adrian Prescott, now Sebastian... You really do change men like accessories, don't you?" His smirk turned vicious. "Keeping all those plates spinning must be exhausting."