Chapter 210

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the bedroom as Evelyn stirred awake. Beside her, Nathaniel's steady breathing was the only sound in the quiet room. She traced the sharp line of his jaw with her fingertips, marveling at how peaceful he looked in sleep—so different from the commanding presence he carried during the day.

A soft knock interrupted the moment.

"Mrs. Martin?" Alfred's voice was muffled through the door. "Mr. Edward has requested your presence in the study."

Evelyn sighed, reluctantly slipping out from under the covers. She threw on a silk robe and padded barefoot down the grand hallway, her mind already racing. Edward Martin rarely summoned her directly—something was up.

The study smelled of aged leather and polished wood. Edward sat behind his massive oak desk, his sharp blue eyes assessing her as she entered.

"Evelyn," he greeted, his tone unreadable. "Sit."

She obeyed, fingers tightening around the armrests.

"I've reviewed your latest proposal for the waterfront project," he said, sliding a folder toward her. "It's bold. Risky."

Her pulse quickened. "But?"

A rare smile tugged at his lips. "But I like it. The board won’t, of course. They prefer safe investments."

Evelyn exhaled slowly. "Then why show it to me?"

"Because," Edward leaned forward, "I want you to convince them. This family needs fresh vision, and Nathaniel believes in you." His gaze darkened. "But Isabella Davis is circling. She’s been whispering in Richard’s ear, pushing her own designs."

Evelyn’s stomach twisted. Isabella—Nathaniel’s ex, the woman who still held a piece of his past.

"Don’t let her undermine you," Edward warned. "The gala tonight—it’s your stage. Own it."

As Evelyn left the study, her phone buzzed. A message from Gregory: "Emergency at the site. Need you ASAP."

She swore under her breath.

Nathaniel intercepted her at the stairs, his tie half-knotted. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"Just your grandfather," she muttered, adjusting his collar. "And Isabella’s scheming."

His jaw tensed. "Ignore her."

"Easy for you to say," she shot back, then instantly regretted it when hurt flickered in his eyes.

Before she could apologize, Samuel appeared, phone in hand. "Sir, the Tokyo call—"

Nathaniel pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. "We’ll talk tonight."

As he strode away, Evelyn squared her shoulders. Two battles awaited her today—one at the construction site, the other in a ballroom full of vipers.

And she refused to lose either.

Evelyn didn’t go upstairs, nor did she intend to seek him out. Instead, she dialed Nathaniel’s number.

Her lips pressed together lightly as she waited for the call to connect. When it did, she spoke softly, "Are you home?"

"Is there an issue?" Nathaniel’s voice was rough, edged with something unreadable.

Evelyn hesitated briefly before replying calmly, "Have you gone to bed yet? I’m at Pineview Villa right now. If you’re still awake, maybe we could talk?"

"Talk about what? The divorce? It’s just paperwork, Evelyn. Did you really need to come here in the middle of the night to discuss it?" His tone was sharp, laced with irritation and something darker—anger.

Evelyn blinked in surprise. She didn’t understand why he was suddenly so hostile.

She bit her lower lip lightly before answering in a quiet voice, "I wanted to ask you something about Thomas."

"So you show up at my door at this hour to talk about another man?" Nathaniel’s voice dropped lower, thick with icy mockery.

Evelyn opened her mouth, frustration flickering in her eyes, but before she could respond, she heard the sound of a door opening. The next second, his tall frame strode into the room.

Their gazes locked, and Nathaniel ended the call first. He moved toward her with deliberate slowness, stopping just inches away, his presence overwhelming. "What about Thomas did you want to discuss?"

Evelyn averted her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Charlotte is missing. I think Thomas might have taken her. Could you ask him about it?"

A faint smirk curled his lips, his piercing gaze boring into her with amusement and something far colder. "Evelyn, do I look like someone who does favors on demand?"

She frowned.

"Nathaniel, since Thomas is already engaged, he shouldn’t be bothering Charlotte. You’re his friend. A single call from you wouldn’t take much effort, but it would mean everything to me. If it wasn’t him, then something else must have happened, so—"

"Just because it’s a small favor, I should agree? What, are you trying to manipulate me now?"

"I’m not manipulating you. I’m asking for your help."

"Why should I help you?" Nathaniel countered, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur.

His eyes narrowed slightly, his handsome face turning colder, more distant.

Evelyn fell silent.

He was right. He didn’t owe her anything.

He had every reason to refuse.

Then, Nathaniel took a step closer, his voice low and deliberate. "We’re about to divorce, and yet here you are, at my doorstep in the dead of night. Evelyn, it’s hard not to think you chose this timing because you wanted something to happen between us. Or do you not realize how easily things can spiral out of control when a man and a woman are alone at night?"

As he spoke, he leaned in slightly, his masculine scent enveloping her. Instinctively, Evelyn swayed back, but his lips hovered dangerously close to her cheek before he abruptly stopped.

Their faces were mere inches apart, his breath warm against her skin. He smirked. "So you did plan this, didn’t you?"

Evelyn’s eyes widened, and she stumbled back until the back of her knees hit the couch, forcing her to sit.

Her voice was steady but quiet. "I didn’t. I just—"

"Then leave. Now. Otherwise, don’t pretend this wasn’t intentional. Given our situation, I could still exercise my marital rights."