Chapter 437

Evelyn regarded Alexander with cool detachment as he slowly flipped through a stack of documents without glancing up. "What is it?"

Lucas hesitated, his gaze flickering toward Evelyn.

She understood immediately and offered a faint smile as she rose. "I should leave you two to discuss this. I'll return to the jewelry department."

"Vivian is my wife," Alexander said, his voice firm as he stopped her. "There's nothing she isn't entitled to know."

Lucas nodded. "Mr. Blackwood, there's been an issue with the Cielo Aqua Bay project with ZF."

Alexander finished reviewing the document in his hands before responding. "The project hasn't even broken ground yet. What could possibly have gone wrong?"

"Precisely because it hasn't started—someone took it from us."

At that, Alexander's fingers stilled.

His ocean-deep eyes lifted. "Someone took it?"

Lucas nodded. "A company called Simis. They signed the contract with ZF's relevant department yesterday."

"Simis?" Alexander murmured under his breath.

"Mr. Blackwood, if this collaboration falls through, Blackwood Enterprises stands to lose significantly. All the groundwork we laid will be wasted."

Before Lucas could say more, a sharp knock sounded at the office door.

Several department heads stood outside, their expressions grim. Alexander's gaze darkened—already, he sensed the storm brewing.

They filed in, voices overlapping in urgency the moment the door shut behind them.

"Mr. Blackwood, the South American shipment has been halted without warning. The products are stranded at the docks. Our clients there are furious."

"Mr. Blackwood, RS has suddenly demanded a full reassessment of our partnership. All related operations are frozen."

"Mr. Blackwood, the Cielo Aqua Bay situation has escalated. The board is calling for an emergency meeting. They're already en route."

Lucas stood frozen, processing the onslaught.

Why was everything collapsing at once?

It felt deliberate.

Evelyn listened in silence, then turned as Alexander stood. "Prepare for the meeting," he ordered calmly.

He stepped toward her, his expression softening. "I need to handle this. You should return to your work."

She nodded. "Of course."

She had no intention of following him—the details of corporate turmoil no longer concerned her.

Evelyn remained where she was, watching as Alexander turned away.

His posture was as composed as ever, as if this were merely a minor inconvenience.

Her gaze drifted to the winter landscape beyond the window, her eyes shadowed.

Alexander Blackwood, your reckoning has arrived.