Chapter 179

A heavy silence settled between them after their conversation. Nathan returned to his meal, his expression darkening with each bite. What was wrong with the chef today? Every dish tasted off, as if deliberately designed to irritate him.

Midway through lunch, curiosity overpowered Nathan’s frustration. He set down his fork and fixed Alexander with a piercing gaze. "Tell me, Alexander. What is it about Evelyn that draws you in? What makes her so special?"

Alexander’s lips curved into a knowing smile, his eyes distant with thought. "It’s not something I can easily put into words. Even if I tried, you wouldn’t truly grasp it unless you saw her the way I do. You’d have to spend time with her—really see her—to understand the little things that make her extraordinary."

Nathan’s lashes lowered, shielding the flicker of emotion in his eyes. His silence was impenetrable, leaving Alexander to wonder what thoughts lay beneath that composed exterior.

Noticing Nathan’s reaction, Alexander exhaled in quiet relief. "I have to admit, I’m glad you don’t have feelings for her. Otherwise, I wouldn’t stand a chance."

Nathan remained still, his expression unreadable.

With a casual shrug, Alexander added, "Because, well… Evelyn has feelings for you. If you ever returned them, I’d be out of the running before the race even began."

For the briefest moment, something shifted in Nathan’s expression—too quick to decipher. Then it was gone.

Lunch ended without further discussion. The two men parted ways, returning to their respective offices, the weight of unspoken words lingering between them.

At Blackstone Enterprises, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Employees moved cautiously, their voices hushed, as if a single misstep might shatter the fragile peace.

Everyone knew.

Nathan Black was in a terrible mood.

On the top floor, outside the CEO’s office, his sharp voice cut through the quiet like a blade.

"'Sorry' isn’t a solution. If you can’t handle basic responsibilities, then you have no business leading a department. I expect a viable proposal on my desk by tomorrow evening—or you can clear out your desk permanently."

Minutes later, the head of the marketing department emerged, shoulders slumped in defeat.

The assistants exchanged nervous glances.

The senior secretary swallowed hard. "You see that? Mr. Black is not in a forgiving mood today. Stay sharp. One wrong move, and you’re out."

The others nodded quickly, murmuring in agreement.

One assistant leaned in, whispering, "It’s strange, though. He was fine this morning. What happened at lunch to set him off like this?"

Another shook her head. "I’ve never seen him this… volatile before."

The senior secretary shot them a warning look. "Enough chatter. Back to work."

With that, the group dispersed, each returning to their tasks with renewed caution.