Chapter 60

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains as Evelyn stretched in bed. Nathaniel had already left for his early meeting, leaving his side of the bed cold. She traced her fingers over the indentation his body had left in the mattress, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Gabrielle's name flashed across the screen with three missed calls. Evelyn's stomach dropped. Her assistant never called this early unless something was wrong.

"Gabrielle? What's—"

"Evelyn! Thank God you answered!" Gabrielle's voice came in frantic bursts. "The city planning committee just called. They're moving up the review for the waterfront project to today at 2 PM. Something about the mayor's schedule changing."

Evelyn's blood ran cold. The presentation wasn't ready. Not even close. "That's impossible. We had two more weeks!"

"I know, but—"

"Call Gregory. Tell him to meet me at the office in thirty minutes. And get Daniel Carter on the line. We'll need all hands on deck."

She threw back the covers, her mind racing through contingency plans as she dressed in record time. The Martin Group's reputation—and her own—hung in the balance. This project could make or break her career.

The drive to the office passed in a blur. When the elevator doors opened, chaos greeted her. The entire design team huddled around computer screens, voices overlapping in tense exchanges.

Gregory emerged from the crowd, his usually impeccable tie loosened. "We've got problems," he muttered, steering her toward the conference room. "The structural engineer's calculations don't match our latest revisions. And the 3D renderings crashed twice already."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her tablet. "Where's Daniel?"

"On his way. Traffic's a nightmare downtown."

She took a steadying breath. "Okay. New plan. Gabrielle, pull up the original schematics. We'll work backward from there. Gregory, call Dr. Harrison—we might need his medical center blueprints for reference."

As the team scrambled, Evelyn's phone buzzed again. Nathaniel's name appeared this time. Her thumb hovered over the screen. She couldn't face his disappointment right now. Not when she'd promised everything was under control.

The phone stopped ringing. A second later, a text appeared: "Heard about the schedule change. Sending Samuel with the structural files from last quarter. You've got this."

Her throat tightened. Even when she faltered, he had her back. Squaring her shoulders, Evelyn turned to her team. "Alright everyone. Let's show them why Martin Group only works with the best."

The clock ticked toward noon as they worked feverishly. When the final renderings loaded without error at 1:37 PM, the office erupted in cheers. Evelyn allowed herself one moment of relief before gathering her materials.

"Gregory, you're with me. Gabrielle, keep your phone on. We might need last-minute changes."

As they rushed toward the elevators, Evelyn's phone rang again. An unknown number. She almost ignored it until Gregory nudged her. "Could be the committee."

She answered just as the elevator doors closed. "Evelyn Mitchell speaking."

"Ms. Mitchell," purred a familiar feminine voice that sent ice down her spine. "I do hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Evelyn's grip on her presentation folder turned white-knuckled. "Isabella. What do you want?"

A soft laugh. "Just calling to wish you luck today. Though..." A dramatic pause. "I wonder how the committee will react when they learn your lead architect has been... distracted lately. Personal matters and all that."

The elevator dinged at the lobby. Evelyn stepped out, Gregory close behind, his concerned gaze questioning. She forced her voice steady. "I don't have time for games, Isabella."

"Of course you don't, darling. That's why I took the liberty of sending the committee some... interesting photos. Nathaniel really should be more careful about where he takes his morning meetings."

The line went dead. Evelyn stood frozen in the bustling lobby, the weight of Isabella's threat settling over her like a shroud. Gregory's hand on her arm brought her back.

"Evelyn? We need to go. Now."

She nodded numbly, her mind racing. What had Isabella sent? And more importantly—how much damage had already been done?

As their car pulled away from the curb, Evelyn watched the Martin Group tower shrink in the rearview mirror. Today would either be her greatest triumph... or her most spectacular downfall. And Isabella Davis held all the cards.

Nathaniel didn’t speak a word until the car pulled away.

First, they dropped Isabella off at the recording studio. As she stepped out, she hesitated, then murmured softly, "Nathaniel, are you angry? I know Evelyn’s actions might have upset you, but please, don’t be too harsh on her. Talk to her properly. I’m afraid you might hurt her feelings."

His expression remained icy. His reply was just as cold. "Isabella, don’t concern yourself with this. Focus on your own work, understood?"

"Understood," she conceded, not daring to push further.

As she watched his car disappear down the street, a glint of determination flashed in her eyes. Evelyn, Nathaniel will be mine.

The rest of the afternoon, Nathaniel’s mood was foul. Executives and vice presidents trembled under his sharp criticism, leaving the office in a state of nervous tension.

His chilling voice echoed through the halls.

One vice president emerged from Nathaniel’s office looking like he might cry. He turned to Samuel and whispered, "Mr. Yates, what’s going on with Mr. Martin?"

"Mr. Martin is fine," Samuel replied cautiously. "Best not to speculate. Just do your job well, and you won’t have anything to worry about."

The employees exchanged uneasy glances before burying themselves in their work.

Once they were gone, Samuel exhaled quietly. He straightened his tie and hurried to Nathaniel’s office when summoned.

Then, the phone rang.

Nathaniel’s indifferent voice came through. "Samuel, are you waiting for me to come out and assign your tasks myself?"

Samuel set the phone down and rushed into the office, his nerves frayed.

The tense atmosphere lasted until the end of the workday.

When Nathaniel returned to Pineview Villa, Evelyn still hadn’t come home, and Isabella had dinner plans with her sponsor.

The grand villa was eerily silent, the stillness unsettling. Nathaniel’s handsome face remained cold, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

An hour later, Evelyn finally walked through the door.

She flicked on only the dim entrance light, murmuring, "Alfred didn’t turn on the lights?"

No response came from the butler.

She was about to head upstairs when a deep voice cut through the darkness. "Evelyn, what time is it? Why are you back so late?"

She turned, meeting Nathaniel’s piercing gaze.

Had he been sitting there all this time?

Evelyn answered calmly, "Daniel and I were inspecting the construction site. We had dinner afterward. It’s only seven—not late."

Nathaniel’s expression didn’t change. His cold eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, his tone sharp. "Then tell me, Evelyn, when is too late? Should I expect you to take Gregory out next, letting everyone assume you’re a couple?"

Evelyn frowned, keeping her composure.

"Gregory is my business partner," she said evenly. "What’s wrong with having dinner with Daniel? What he said was just to clarify our relationship and avoid misunderstandings."

"Clarify what?" Nathaniel’s voice was frosty.

Evelyn let out a humorless laugh. "You let Isabella give everyone the impression you two are dating while implying something between us. How do you think that makes me look?"

She hadn’t wanted to bring up Isabella, but Nathaniel left her no choice.

His brows furrowed slightly. "Evelyn, you’re the only one who thinks that way. Isabella and I have done nothing to suggest otherwise. No one sees us as a couple."

"If I can see how close you two are, so can everyone else," she countered.

"That’s deflection," he accused coldly.

Evelyn paused, then said flatly, "It doesn’t matter."

"Evelyn, we are married. You need to distance yourself from Gregory. Cut ties with him. Whatever he’s invested in your company, I’ll compensate him. End it. No more meetings."

Her eyes flashed with defiance. "Nathaniel, even as my husband, you don’t get to dictate who I associate with. I’ve never asked you to cut anyone out of your life. Gregory and I are just friends."

"Whether you see him as a friend or not, he doesn’t feel the same. As a man, I know his intentions. Evelyn, you’re still my wife."

His words struck a nerve.

Was he implying she was being inappropriate?

And what about him?

She leveled a cold stare at him. "If I asked you to stay away from Isabella, could you? You told me you want a divorce to marry her. You brought her into our home. Nathaniel, have you ever considered my feelings? Do you even remember what being a husband means?"

Nathaniel’s expression darkened at the mention of Isabella. His handsome face remained cold, his silence stretching between them.

Neither would back down.

Evelyn stood firm. Gregory might have feelings for her, but she had made her stance clear, and he had respected it. Compared to Nathaniel and Isabella’s blatant closeness, her friendship with Gregory was perfectly reasonable.

To her, Gregory wasn’t just a partner—he was a trusted friend who had supported her through her darkest times. How could she possibly cut him off?

The standoff lasted for days, their silence thick with tension.

Isabella, though unaware of the details, couldn’t help but smile at their discord.

Three days later, her comeback press conference arrived.

The night before, she sought Nathaniel’s help. "Nathaniel, could you do me a favor? Tomorrow’s my comeback event. I’d love for you to attend with me. Just ten minutes—that’s all. After being gone for a year, I need the media’s attention to restart my career."

Nathaniel hesitated. "I’ll check my schedule."

"I already spoke with Samuel. He said you’re free. Please?" she pressed, her eyes pleading.

A flicker of something crossed his face before he finally nodded.

With Nathaniel’s presence, the event gained instant prestige.

Fans, reporters, and media swarmed the venue, eager to witness Isabella’s return. Her enchanting voice and past popularity had earned her countless admirers.

She and Nathaniel stepped onto the stage together, hand in hand, bathed in camera flashes. With a soft, melodic voice, she thanked her fans before turning to Nathaniel. "The person I’m most grateful for is standing right beside me. Thank you, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel remained stoic, offering no smile, but his striking presence commanded attention.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Then, a reporter shouted, "Ms. Davis, what’s your relationship with Mr. Martin? Why do you need to thank him?"

"Are you two dating?"

"A year ago, photos surfaced of you two living together. Did you take time off to get married?"

"Did you and Mr. Martin secretly wed?"

The questions came rapid-fire, the excitement in the room reaching a fever pitch.