Chapter 429

Vivian Prescott turned sharply at the sound of Evelyn's voice, her gaze landing on the blinking security camera.

All her bravado evaporated instantly. Heat flooded her cheeks in mortification.

Alexander Blackwood's glacial stare swept over Vivian's face. "If I catch you near Evelyn again—"

"Alex, I—" Vivian stammered, trembling.

"Get out."

The whispered murmurs of nearby employees burned Vivian's ears. She shot Evelyn a venomous glare before fleeing the scene.

As Alexander approached Evelyn, the ice in his eyes melted. "Did she touch you?"

Evelyn shook her head with a serene smile. "Not a scratch."

Relief softened Alexander's features. He laced his fingers through hers, guiding her toward the elevator. "Tired after this morning's meetings?"

"Exhaustion disappears when you're near." Evelyn's eyes crinkled with genuine warmth.

The transformation in Alexander's expression stunned watching employees. His lips curved in a rare, unguarded smile.

"Since when does Mr. Blackwood smile like that?"

"Only for her, apparently."

"But she's practically identical to his ex-wife. Why does he adore Evelyn yet despise Madeline?"

The unanswered question hung in the air as the elevator doors closed.

Alexander took Evelyn to an intimate bistro for lunch, but their meal was interrupted by an urgent call. Through the receiver, Evelyn caught snippets of a crisis requiring immediate attention.

"Vivian, I'm needed elsewhere." Alexander slid a black card across the table. "Order whatever you like."

"Duty calls." Evelyn smiled graciously. "Don't keep them waiting."

The moment Alexander disappeared, Evelyn exhaled in relief. She signaled the waiter for their finest Merlot.

As the ruby liquid swirled in her glass, memories surfaced—Alexander's computer password, the cemetery, the ashes. Abruptly, she stood, leaving both wine and meal untouched.

Blackwood Enterprises stood quiet when she returned. With Alexander handling the emergency, his office lay unguarded.

Evelyn entered casually, aware of the cameras. She "accidentally" knocked over a water glass near his laptop, using the distraction to move the device to a blind spot.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard, entering the eight-digit code Nathaniel had decrypted. The screen flickered to life.

Last night's interrupted mission could now be completed. From her purse, Evelyn produced a slim flash drive.

Twenty minutes later, every crucial file had been copied. The game had just escalated.