Chapter 129

Evelyn Carter stepped into the grand ballroom wearing a violet couture gown that shimmered under the chandeliers. Her twelve-inch Louboutins clicked confidently against the marble floor as every head turned in her direction.

The dress hugged her curves like liquid amethyst, accentuating her hourglass figure. With her hair swept up in an elegant chignon, diamond teardrop earrings caught the light with every graceful movement.

"Is that the Kingsley heiress? My God, she's breathtaking!" whispered a socialite behind her fan.

"That gown must be worth a fortune! Only Sophia Whitmore could design something so exquisite," her companion murmured back.

"Can you believe Nathan Sterling dumped this goddess for Isabella Delaney? The man must be clinically insane."

All eyes darted toward Nathan Sterling, who stood frozen near the champagne fountain. His gaze burned into Evelyn with undisguised hunger.

"Mr. Sterling!" Simon's sharp whisper broke Nathan's trance.

"I've made inquiries, but Horizon Technologies' president remains a ghost. The only lead suggests he might be from Frenda."

Simon wiped his brow. "But it's unverified. No one's seen him. We don't even know if he'll show tonight."

Nathan's jaw tightened. Half the elite here were vultures circling for a glimpse of Horizon's mysterious leader. That he couldn't uncover this man's identity gnawed at him.

"Keep watching. I want to know what game he's playing."

His attention snapped back to Evelyn, now effortlessly charming a circle of tycoons. This was the polished executive he remembered from Sterling Enterprises - confident, radiant, untouchable.

After collecting a stack of embossed business cards, Evelyn discreetly massaged her aching feet and retreated to a velvet settee.

"Ms. Carter! Rumor says Horizon's president is single!" Vanessa Sterling materialized with her sycophants, her emerald gown straining at the seams. "You should make your move tonight."

Eleanor had drilled into Vanessa that securing Horizon's elusive CEO would cement the Blackwell legacy.

"What if he's some troll?" giggled one follower. "Ms. Carter would be downgrading terribly."

Vanessa's chin jerked up. "Don't be absurd! He's..." She caught herself with a smug smile.

The group leaned in. No one had seen Horizon's leader - yet Vanessa spoke as if she knew something they didn't.