Chapter 90

Evelyn Sinclair approached with furrowed brows, her gaze falling upon the elegant packaging that bore a distinctive designer emblem. Isabella Montgomery reached down, lifting one of the garment bags with a puzzled expression.

"Wait... Aren't these the exact pieces you selected earlier?"

"They certainly are!"

Evelyn's frown deepened as she studied the familiar clothing. Hadn't Sophia Blackwood swooped in to purchase these very items? How had they materialized here?

The receptionist quickly explained, "The boutique manager personally delivered these, stating they were prepaid by Mr. Blackwood."

"Nathan Blackwood?"

Evelyn's eyes darkened. This was clearly about that emerald pipe, but she wanted no part of his games.

Isabella let out a derisive snort. "Nathan Blackwood? What's his angle now?"

With deliberate indifference, Evelyn instructed, "Have these delivered to Blackwood Enterprises immediately. Return them to sender."

The receptionist blinked in surprise. She'd assumed this signaled a reconciliation between Vice President Sinclair and her ex-husband. Apparently not.

"Right away, ma'am." The receptionist lowered her head to summon a courier.

"You should keep them," Isabella suggested with a wicked grin. "Imagine how furious Sophia Blackwood and Vanessa Holloway would be!"

Evelyn met her friend's gaze with a humorless smile. "I won't wear anything from him, and I refuse to owe him anything. Three years of marriage and he never once gave me so much as a handkerchief. Now he wants to play the generous ex? How pathetic."

Isabella arched an eyebrow. "Point taken."

When the rejected packages arrived at Blackwood Enterprises, Harrison sighed heavily before approaching the CEO's office. The knock was met with Nathan's icy glare. "What is it?"

"The items sent to Sterling Corporation... they've been returned." Harrison watched as Nathan's expression darkened. "Perhaps Ms. Sinclair genuinely dislikes them? After all, she did relinquish them to Ms. Blackwood initially."

Harrison had no intention of resending the unwanted gifts. Evelyn Sinclair had made her position clear.

Nathan paused, then withdrew his gaze. "Forget it then." His ex-wife had certainly become uncompromising since their divorce. Harrison exhaled in relief.

"Shall I send the clothing to Sophia?"

"Do that."

"Yes, sir."

The delivery to Aspen Lodge instantly shattered Sophia's fragile good mood. She sprang up, voice shrill. "What is this? Nicole's castoffs? Am I some kind of trash receptacle?"

Vanessa's face tightened as she surveyed the expensive garments, suppressing the venom rising in her throat.

"Darling, don't upset yourself," Vanessa soothed. "Evelyn probably realized she didn't pay for these and was too embarrassed to keep them. Remember how difficult it was to secure tickets for tonight's show? These outfits are perfect for the occasion."

Sophia reluctantly acquiesced—the exclusive fashion show invitations had been nearly impossible to obtain.

Among their social circle, securing entry to designer Natalie Beaumont's showcase had become the ultimate status symbol. When Vanessa produced the coveted tickets, Sophia had been ecstatic.

Once inside the venue, Sophia planned to flood social media with photos that would ignite envy throughout high society.

"I'll be the most dazzling woman there," Sophia vowed.

Vanessa knew this event was Sophia's dream. She'd pulled every string—contacting her uncle, who reached out to Tristan Whitmore, who leveraged Theodore Hart's connections—just to obtain two tickets.

This elaborate scheme was Vanessa's calculated move to ingratiate herself with the Blackwood family. Every connection, every favor called in, served one purpose: securing her place among the elite.