Chapter 157

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Pineview Villa, casting golden streaks across the marble floors. Evelyn stood by the window, her fingers tracing the delicate rim of her coffee cup. The warmth seeped into her skin, but it did little to ease the tension coiling in her chest.

Nathaniel had left early—again.

She exhaled sharply, setting the cup down with more force than necessary. The porcelain clinked against the saucer, the sound sharp in the quiet room.

"He’s avoiding me."

The realization settled heavily in her mind. Ever since their argument about Isabella’s sudden reappearance, Nathaniel had been distant, burying himself in work. Meetings. Calls. Anything to keep from facing the unresolved tension between them.

Her phone buzzed on the counter. A message from Gregory.

"Evelyn, we need to finalize the blueprints for the Summit Realty project by noon. Sebastian is pushing for revisions."

She groaned, rubbing her temples. Another crisis to handle. Another distraction from the storm brewing in her personal life.

Just as she reached for her bag, the front door swung open. Alfred, their ever-composed butler, stepped inside, his expression unreadable.

"Madam, Mr. Martin has requested your presence at the office. He said it’s urgent."

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. Urgent?

"Did he say why?"

Alfred hesitated—just for a fraction of a second—but it was enough to set off alarms in her head.

"No, Madam. Only that you should come immediately."

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.

The Martin Group’s headquarters loomed ahead, its glass façade reflecting the midday sun like a polished blade. Evelyn strode through the lobby, her heels clicking against the marble in a steady, determined rhythm.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt endless.

When the doors slid open, Samuel Yates—Nathaniel’s ever-efficient secretary—was already waiting, his expression grim.

"Mrs. Martin," he greeted, his voice low. "He’s in the conference room."

She didn’t bother with pleasantries. "What’s going on, Samuel?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "It’s better if you see for yourself."

Her stomach twisted.

The moment she pushed open the conference room doors, the air thickened with tension. Nathaniel stood at the head of the table, his jaw set, his usually composed demeanor fraying at the edges.

And seated across from him—

Isabella.

Evelyn’s breath caught.

The woman smiled, slow and deliberate, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.

"Evelyn," she purred. "So lovely to see you again."

Nathaniel’s gaze snapped to Evelyn’s, his eyes dark with unspoken warning.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

Isabella was here for a reason.

And whatever game she was playing, Evelyn had just been dragged into it.

"Ms. Davis hurled some vicious insults, and Mrs. Martin lost her temper. She pinned Ms. Davis against the wall."

Though Nathaniel hadn’t witnessed the scene himself, he could easily reconstruct what had happened. After a year of marriage, he knew Evelyn wasn’t the type to provoke without cause.

"Is she hurt?"

Nathaniel’s voice was icy, detached.

Samuel hesitated before answering quietly, "No, sir. Mrs. Martin only gave Ms. Davis a warning..."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened, his tone turning frigid. "From today onward, I don’t want to hear another word about Evelyn."

Samuel stiffened in surprise.

But he nodded. "Understood, Mr. Martin."

Does this mean I no longer need to report anything regarding Mrs. Martin? Samuel wondered but chose not to press further, swiftly exiting the office.

Nathaniel’s decision sent shockwaves through Evelyn’s company. Tension hung thick in the air as employees fretted over the project’s future. Summit Realty soon learned that Nathaniel had severed ties because of Evelyn.

Sebastian Wilson arrived in person, desperation lacing his voice. "Mrs. Martin, can’t you and Mr. Martin resolve your personal matters privately? His decision has put us in an impossible position. Several contracts we were about to sign have fallen through. If this continues, we’ll be ruined."

Evelyn remained silent, her expression unreadable. Sebastian’s words struck a chord. In the ruthless world of business, the Martin Group’s influence was undeniable, and once momentum shifted, reversing it was nearly impossible.

Gregory frowned, casting a sympathetic glance at Evelyn before addressing Sebastian. "Mr. Wilson, we understand the gravity of the situation. But Evelyn just returned from the Martin Group. Nathaniel is being unreasonable. Mixing personal grievances with business is unprofessional."

"Mr. Wilson, that’s not what I meant. Married couples argue all the time, don’t they? If Mrs. Martin could just extend an olive branch, this whole mess could be smoothed over."

Gregory’s face hardened. "Mr. Wilson, if that’s your stance, then there’s nothing left to discuss. We have a contract. If you’re suffering losses, so are we."

Sebastian’s expression soured. "Are you refusing to even attempt reconciliation?"

"Mr. Wilson," Evelyn interjected firmly, meeting his gaze, "I apologize for any trouble my actions have caused your company. I’ll do everything in my power to rectify the situation."

With that, the argument reached an impasse.

After Sebastian left, Gregory turned to Evelyn, his expression grave. "Evelyn, what’s your plan? Are you considering speaking to Nathaniel?"

"Forget it. I’ll handle this myself."

"Evelyn."

"Please, Gregory. Let’s drop it."

Gregory exhaled sharply, frustration evident, while Evelyn retreated to her office.

News of the incident spread like wildfire through their social circles, sparking endless speculation about the rift between Nathaniel and Evelyn. Yet neither offered an explanation, leaving rumors to fester. Some whispered it was a calculated move by the couple to force Summit Realty out, leaving the company scrambling for solutions.

That evening, Evelyn drove to Martin Manor.

Edward, Victoria, and the others were midway through dinner when the sound of a car pulling up reached them. Victoria glanced up. "Is Nathaniel back?"

"Hmph. Coming home to flaunt his power by mistreating his wife?" Edward grumbled, his anger simmering.

He was well aware of Nathaniel’s recent decision.

Even now, he hesitated to reach out to Evelyn, disgusted by his grandson’s behavior.

When footsteps approached, Edward didn’t bother turning around, his voice sharp with disapproval. "You’ve returned? If I were as cold-hearted as you, I wouldn’t dare step foot in this house again. You might as well leave. This family has no need for you!"