Chapter 140

Victoria couldn't shake the thought of how Evelyn had manipulated Harrison into taking her side with such alarming speed.

Her cousin Isabella had warned her about Evelyn's meddling in her relationship with Nathan.

The realization hit her hard. "Isabella was right all along. This woman is dangerous."

Swallowing her pride, Victoria forced out an apology through gritted teeth. "My apologies, Mr. Whitmore. That was inappropriate of me. Please forgive—"

"You're apologizing to the wrong person, Ms. Sinclair," Harrison interrupted coldly.

Victoria's breath caught in her throat. Apologizing to Evelyn? Impossible.

In her mind, Evelyn was solely responsible for the Delaney family's downfall and Isabella's imprisonment. She'd come here today to make Evelyn pay.

"But Mr. Whitmore, I—"

Harrison's fingers drummed an ominous rhythm on the conference table. The air grew thick with tension.

His patience had worn thin. Seeing Victoria's stubborn refusal, he stood abruptly, straightening his suit jacket.

"Then this meeting is over. Horizon Technologies has no shortage of potential partners."

"No, wait!" Victoria nearly tripped in her haste to stop him.

Her company had invested billions in this nanotechnology venture. Failure meant unemployment.

"I... apologize, Ms. Carter," she choked out, each word tasting like ash. Losing this deal wasn't an option.

Evelyn wasn't inclined to forgive easily, but the strategic importance of this partnership outweighed personal grievances.

"Apology accepted, Ms. Sinclair."

Their eyes met briefly, and Evelyn felt an unexpected warmth at having someone defend her so fiercely.

Nathan had been ready to intervene, but Harrison had beaten him to it.

Watching another man protect Evelyn left Nathan with a hollow ache, as if he'd lost something precious.

Simon observed the exchange with growing concern for Nathan.

Something fundamental had shifted between Nathan and Evelyn, and there was no going back.

"My sincere apologies for the delay," Theodore Montgomery announced as he entered briskly. "Another meeting ran over."

"Not at all, Mr. Montgomery," Nathan responded first.

Theodore acknowledged Nathan with a polite nod before approaching Harrison. "Mr. Whitmore, thank you for your patience. Shall we begin?"

Only after Harrison's subtle nod did Theodore take his seat.

Victoria watched in shock as her superior treated Harrison with more deference than he showed Nathan.

She'd known Horizon Technologies had powerful backing, but never imagined Theodore would be so visibly intimidated.

Her nails dug into her palms as she glared at Evelyn. No wonder Isabella had failed against this woman.

But Victoria wasn't like her cousin.

"Ms. Sinclair here is our lead director for this project," Theodore announced. "She'll present our preliminary findings and initial preparations."

Composing herself, Victoria rose to address the room.