Chapter 446

Evelyn pressed her lips against Nathan's cold ones once more, clinging to his rigid frame as she tried to ignite his passion through subtle touches.

She believed she could break through his icy exterior, but reality proved her wrong.

Nathan remained unmoved. If not for the legendary self-control he was known for, she might have thought he'd truly lost all interest in her.

Slowly pulling away, Evelyn felt each breath grow heavier, the weight of rejection pressing against her chest.

'Should I accept that he's genuinely fallen out of love? Or is this just another cruel test to push me away?'

Her fingers curled into tight fists. "Nathan," she whispered, "what if I refuse to give up on us?"

A flicker of surprise crossed his features before vanishing as he turned away. "You should leave now."

Evelyn stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him.

Nathan's body tensed, his suspended hand clenching into a fist as he fought the overwhelming urge to crush her against him.

Her voice was feather-light against his chest. "I don't believe you've stopped loving me. And even if you have... I'll make you fall for me all over again."

The storm in Nathan's eyes stilled. Though his love for her burned as fiercely as ever, his expression remained merciless.

He pried her away. "Go home. I'll pick you up tonight. We still need to maintain appearances for the children's sake."

Evelyn's lips pressed together. The disappointment stung, but at least their shared love for Caleb, Liam, and Daisy remained their tether. A bitter laugh escaped her as she left his office.

'Our children are the only reason we're still pretending.'

'Is he truly serious about ending us?'

The moment Evelyn departed, Oliver entered with documents to find Nathan chain-smoking by the window, the ashtray overflowing with crushed cigarette butts.

Never had Oliver witnessed his boss consume nicotine so desperately.

"Mr. Goldmann, about the divorce papers..." Oliver understood Nathan's sacrificial motives. Yet even as an outsider, he could see the depth of Nathan's devotion. This painful charade was the only protection Nathan could offer.

The proposed settlement itself revealed everything - Evelyn would receive half of Goldmann Group's shares, securing her future beyond measure.

Nathan's voice emerged like gravel. "Leave them."

Oliver placed the documents on the desk.

Drawing deeply from his cigarette, Nathan turned, tapping ash into the tray. "Any updates from Stoslo?"

"Elder Goldmann has captured Dominic's men, but he'd already abandoned them. The murdered hospital staff confirms they're covering up the virus."

Nathan's brow furrowed. "And Prince Reginald?"

"Remains inactive," Oliver reported. "Likely fearing royal repercussions."

King Maxwell still held Stoslo's throne. Since the incident involving the crown princess, the royal family had opposed Reginald's power grabs. As an illegitimate son born to a chambermaid, the prince lacked any legitimate claim to succession.

For decades, Reginald operated through proxies, never dirtying his own hands. The Kents' support was equally transparent - they backed his ambitions to further their own agenda.