Chapter 66

Old Master Blackwood's voice was sharp. "Alexander is highly capable—he takes after you. But if he's being manipulated by a woman like her, won't everything fall apart?"

William Sterling scoffed. "Just a woman. What damage could she possibly do?"

Old Master Blackwood shot Evelyn Sinclair a meaningful glance.

"This woman is far from ordinary. Right after her divorce, Alexander promoted her to Vice President of Sterling Corporation—second-in-command. Soon, she'll be making all the decisions in your company. Shouldn’t you, as Chairman, step in before it’s too late?"

Most people would have been furious hearing such words.

But William Sterling was no ordinary man.

He let out a dry chuckle, his tone dismissive.

"Mr. Blackwood, worry about your own affairs. I trust my son." A pause, then amusement colored his voice. "Ah, looks like I’ve got a bite. Goodbye."

The call ended abruptly.

Old Master Blackwood’s face twisted in frustration. He glared at Evelyn, his anger barely contained.

"You got lucky this time. But do you really think it’s that easy to enter the Sterling family? William Sterling is far more formidable than you realize!"

Evelyn laughed lightly, her eyes glinting with quiet confidence. "That’s not your concern." She tilted her head. "But mark my words—I will be part of the Sterling family."

After all, the truth of her identity would come to light eventually. She couldn’t wait to see the old man’s reaction when he realized who she really was.

Old Master Blackwood sneered, mocking her delusion. He opened his mouth to retort, but Evelyn had already lost interest.

Calling William had been his last resort—and it had failed spectacularly.

"Chairman Blackwood," she said smoothly, "if there’s nothing else, my assistant will see you out. I have a meeting to attend."

Evelyn Sinclair offered them a polite yet distant smile, her expression carefully neutral.

Sophia Blackwood looked furious, her lips pressed into a tight line as she fought back whatever biting remark threatened to spill out.

Old Master Blackwood, equally exasperated by the encounter, let out a cold scoff. "You're bringing this upon yourself."

With a press of a button on her office intercom, Evelyn summoned Bennett, who entered promptly and stood at attention.

"Vice President Sinclair, how may I assist you?"

"Please escort our guests out."

"Right away, ma'am." Bennett turned to the visitors with practiced professionalism. "Chairman Blackwood, Ms. Blackwood, this way, please."

Old Master Blackwood clenched his jaw, his face dark with displeasure as he strode out. Sophia followed, shooting Evelyn one last resentful glare.

Once outside, the old man immediately dialed Nathan Blackwood, his voice thick with fury.

"I never imagined Evelyn would turn out to be this ungrateful after three years of marriage. She's stubborn as a mule. Were you blind when you married her?"

Nathan paused. "You went to see her?"

"Of course I did! I can't stand the thought of my precious pipe in her hands for another second! That woman is ruthless—she refused to hand it over even when I confronted her personally. She deceived us for three years. I never expected her to be this kind of person!"

Nathan was silent for a long moment before responding, his voice low. "Perhaps she's had enough of tolerating us all this time."

"Grandfather, I'll handle it. Don’t worry—I’ll get your pipe back."

"You'd better. Otherwise, I won’t let her off so easily! And by the way, she even had the audacity to claim she’s marrying into the Sterling family. Do something about her private life. No respectable family would accept a divorced woman who flirts with every man in sight!"

Nathan’s frown deepened, irritation flaring in his chest.

Evelyn had done nothing wrong, yet she was still being slandered. His grandfather’s words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

But the thought of Alexander Sterling and Sebastian Hart constantly hovering around her only made his mood worse—restless, suffocated, unsettled.

After hanging up, Nathan rubbed his temples, exhaling sharply.

Harrison, who had been watching cautiously from the side, finally spoke up.

"Sir, the meeting scheduled in five minutes—shall we proceed as planned?"

Nathan’s dark eyes flickered with something unreadable. Instead of answering, he asked, "Harrison, what kind of person do you think Evelyn is?"

"Why is she so different before and after the divorce?"

Harrison hesitated, then decided honesty was best.

"Madam—I mean, Ms. Sinclair—is a very kind person."

Nathan’s expression darkened. "You’ve been in frequent contact?"

"No, no! It’s just… back when you first married, she would often call me. She was always concerned about your well-being."

"Every time you traveled for business, she’d check the weather and remind me to pack appropriate clothes and meals. Sometimes, she’d even prepare them herself and send them over. And no matter how many times you ignored her calls, she never got angry."

Watching Nathan’s face grow stormier, Harrison wondered if he’d said too much.

"And yet… I never knew any of this?"