Chapter 271

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the bedroom. Evelyn stirred, her body still heavy with sleep. Beside her, Nathaniel lay motionless, his breathing steady and deep. She studied his profile—the sharp jawline, the dark lashes resting against his cheeks. Even in sleep, he exuded an air of quiet authority.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the peaceful silence. With a sigh, she reached for it, squinting at the screen. A message from Gregory flashed before her eyes:

"Emergency meeting at the office. 9 AM. Be there."

Evelyn frowned. Gregory wasn’t one for dramatics, so if he called it an emergency, it had to be serious. She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Nathaniel, and padded toward the bathroom.

The hot shower did little to ease the tension coiling in her stomach. She dressed quickly—a tailored blazer, slim trousers, her usual armor for battle. By the time she emerged, Nathaniel was awake, leaning against the doorframe, watching her with those piercing blue eyes.

"Trouble?" he asked, his voice rough with sleep.

"Gregory called a meeting," she said, fastening her watch. "No details."

Nathaniel crossed the room in three strides, catching her wrist. "Let me send Samuel with you."

She shook her head. "I can handle it."

His grip tightened slightly, a silent protest, but he released her. "Call me if you need anything."

Evelyn pressed a quick kiss to his lips before grabbing her bag and heading out. The drive to the office was a blur of city streets and honking cars. Her mind raced with possibilities—had they lost a client? Was there a problem with the new project?

When she stepped into the conference room, the tension was palpable. Gregory stood at the head of the table, his expression grim. Gabrielle, her assistant, was already there, clutching a tablet like a lifeline.

"What’s going on?" Evelyn demanded.

Gregory exhaled sharply. "Summit Realty just pulled out of the Riverside deal."

Evelyn’s stomach dropped. "What? Why?"

"Sebastian Wilson claims we breached contract," Gregory said, tossing a folder onto the table. "He’s threatening legal action."

Evelyn snatched the folder, scanning the documents inside. Her pulse pounded in her ears. This wasn’t just a minor setback—this could ruin them.

Gabrielle cleared her throat. "There’s more. Jonathan Blake called. He said Summit is taking all their future projects to another firm."

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the papers. This wasn’t just business. This was personal.

And she knew exactly who was behind it.

Isabella.

The name burned in her mind like a brand. Nathaniel’s ex had never stopped scheming, and now she’d struck where it hurt most.

Evelyn looked up, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

"Then we fight back."

Nathaniel didn’t give Evelyn a chance to respond to Gregory’s words. With sharp precision, he laid out the facts, and the surrounding crowd quickly grasped that this was no accident—it was premeditated. The fact that Evelyn was pregnant only intensified the gravity of the situation.

Danielle was escorted away by the police.

Gregory attempted to reason with Nathaniel, but Nathaniel merely arched a brow and countered, "Danielle’s actions were deliberate, and they were aimed at you, Mr. Wilson. Do you truly expect me to overlook this—or should she face the consequences?"

A knowing smirk played on Nathaniel’s lips as Gregory fell silent.

Their gazes clashed for a tense moment before Nathaniel took Evelyn’s hand and led her firmly toward his car.

"Samuel," he ordered, his voice clipped, "gather the witnesses and security footage. Submit everything to the authorities. Let the law handle this properly."

Samuel nodded and departed. Once inside the car, Nathaniel turned to Evelyn, who sat stiffly in the passenger seat. His voice softened, though his tone remained edged with irritation. "Why so quiet?"

Evelyn blinked, as if snapping out of a daze. Truthfully, she hadn’t been given the opportunity to speak at all.

She hesitated before asking, "What did you mean by what you said to him earlier?"

Nathaniel’s lips curled slightly. "Why does it matter? Are you planning to let her off?"

Evelyn didn’t answer immediately. Of course, she wasn’t. Danielle’s actions had been reckless, dangerous. If not for sheer luck—and Nathaniel’s timely intervention—things could have ended much worse.

She couldn’t risk Danielle doing something like this again.

Still, curiosity gnawed at her. "I want to understand," she pressed.

Nathaniel studied her for a long moment before responding. "Do you think Gregory’s reaction was the right way to handle this?"

Evelyn frowned, uncertain.

Wasn’t it?

She looked up at him, confused.

Nathaniel exhaled sharply. "He didn’t defend his sister. He didn’t try to calm her down. Instead, he provoked her, ensuring everyone saw her lose control. The law doesn’t care if the victim is her brother—intent to harm is still a crime."

His words struck Evelyn like a physical blow.

Her expression darkened as she absorbed them.

Nathaniel tilted his head. "What’s on your mind?"

"Nothing," she murmured.

His jaw tightened. "Do you think I’m twisting the truth? That I’m framing him?"

His tone was icy, his displeasure unmistakable.

Evelyn shook her head quickly. "No. I don’t think that."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Nathaniel let the subject drop. He checked his watch, then glanced back at her. "Let’s get something to eat."

Evelyn nodded, and the car pulled away.

Lunch was a quiet affair, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. Nathaniel’s mood was palpably sour, and Evelyn, unsure how to bridge the gap, stayed silent.

Just as they finished, Samuel called.

"Mr. Martin, all evidence has been submitted. The police will charge Danielle with attempted assault."

"Good," Nathaniel replied curtly.

Before Samuel could ask for further instructions, Evelyn’s phone buzzed.

Gregory.

He must have heard from the authorities already.

Her eyes flicked to Nathaniel before she answered. "Gregory?"

"Evelyn," Gregory’s voice was strained, "please—give Danielle another chance. For me. I know I have no right to ask this. What she did was unforgivable. But this is my fault. I should have taken better care of her. I’m so sorry."

Evelyn exhaled slowly. "Gregory, if I let this go now, can you promise she won’t try something like this again?"

No harm had been done—this time. But the thought of what could have happened sent a chill down her spine.