Chapter 514

Harrison froze mid-sentence before seizing the chance to escape the office.

He exhaled sharply, as if resurrected from the dead.

Nathan Blackwood contemplated for a moment before dialing Theodore Winslow.

Surrender wasn't an option. Especially not to that snake Preston Sinclair.

"Mr. Blackwood, I'm already... packing my things."

Theodore's voice trembled.

Margaret Blackwood had stormed in earlier, hurling insults while demanding he trash everything Evelyn Sinclair left behind. Theodore barely stopped her, terrified of what Nathan might do if he returned to find Evelyn's belongings gone.

When Margaret ordered him to leave, he'd complied without protest.

Theodore knew his failure to reconcile Nathan and Evelyn meant his days here were numbered.

Answering the call, he braced for the worst.

Survival was all he hoped for now.

Nathan's icy tone carried a rough edge. "Evelyn enjoyed those pastries you baked. Deliver them to her." A pause. "Actually, I'll take them myself."

Theodore blinked, then straightened.

"Yes, sir!"

The call conveyed two things: his job was safe, and Nathan was finally making a move.

Four hours later.

Nathan arrived at Sterling Enterprises carrying Theodore's dessert box, fresh from a draining board meeting.

The receptionist immediately alerted Bennett, who personally escorted him to the executive conference room.

"Coffee for Mr. Blackwood," Bennett instructed an assistant before adding politely, "President Sinclair is still in a meeting. Shall I notify President Sterling if this is urgent?"

Nathan dismissed the suggestion with a wave, settling into his seat. "I'll wait."

His aristocratic demeanor radiated silent warning.

Who dared keep Nathan Blackwood waiting?

Bennett hurried to inform Evelyn.

She cursed inwardly. Nathan haunted her like some persistent specter, his audacity growing daily.

As clock-out time approached, Evelyn headed to the conference room, unwilling to let colleagues witness this encounter.

"Mr. Blackwood, what urgent business brings you here?"

She emphasized "urgent business" pointedly.

Nathan suppressed his emotions, maintaining perfect composure.

"Theodore insisted I deliver these pastries he made for you."

"He insisted?"

Evelyn's disbelief was palpable. Since when did Theodore command Nathan?

The lie was laughably transparent.

Her lips curled coldly. "If you won't be honest, I'll show you out."

What a colossal waste of time.

Nathan's jaw tightened. "I saw the interview. You called me a scumbag."

"Aren't you?"

Her arched brow matched her glacial stare.

Three seconds of silence passed before Nathan responded huskily, "Not anymore. Given the chance, I'll prove it."

"Unnecessary. Healed wounds still leave scars. I won't pick at them."

Evelyn's irritation flared. Was he delusional?

Nathan inhaled deeply.

"Scars conceal renewed skin beneath..."

Evelyn gaped.

He pressed on, "How can you judge my sincerity without testing it? Your rejections stem from fear of confronting our past. Where's your courage to move forward?"

His stern tone carried both challenge and unexpected encouragement.

Evelyn stared, torn between fury and speechlessness.

Nathan's regal poise and sculpted features radiated untouchable elegance—a stark contrast to Xavier Delmont's pitiful imitation attempts.

Yet even Xavier seemed preferable to this infuriating man before her.