Chapter 517

The tension in the room was palpable.

Everyone exchanged shocked glances.

Xavier Delmont, a mere lookalike, had just received an unprecedented amount of resources. The sheer favoritism was staggering!

His initial excitement quickly faded as Evelyn Sinclair continued speaking. His shoulders tensed visibly.

Xavier had been pushing himself to the limit lately - surviving on three hours of sleep while maintaining perfect professionalism.

The opportunities Evelyn offered thrilled him, but the weight of expectations pressed down heavily.

Would this workload kill him?

Evelyn glanced at her diamond-encrusted watch. Bennett stepped forward precisely on cue. "Ms. Sinclair, your meeting with the studio head begins in fifteen minutes."

The revelation hit everyone at once. This wasn't a personal visit after all.

Evelyn gave a curt nod and turned to leave without ceremony.

Her indifference spoke volumes.

She couldn't care less about the reporters' speculations. None of their articles would see the light of day anyway.

Nathan Blackwood followed silently in her wake.

Xavier stepped aside deferentially, his bowed head displaying unmistakable reverence.

The contrast between the original and the copy couldn't be more striking.

Nathan suppressed a derisive smirk. This imitation was pathetically inferior. As if Evelyn would ever settle for someone like Xavier!

He caught up to her in three long strides. "That was a short visit."

Evelyn didn't break stride. "Too many spectators today. We'll continue another time."

Nathan's chest constricted painfully at her words, a familiar suffocating sensation returning.

Back at Sterling Manor...

William Sterling lounged in the sunroom, sipping Earl Grey while Leo the robotic tiger purred at his feet.

The moment Evelyn entered, his attention sharpened. "I heard Nathan came to your office today?"

The incident had caused enough stir that even Alexander Sterling knew about it.

Evelyn confirmed without pretense.

William's lips thinned. "There are whispers about an arranged engagement between the Blackwoods and Ashfords. Are you aware?"

Evelyn hadn't known, nor did she care.

But William's warning carried weight - the Blackwood family's movements affected entire market sectors.

Consider it both advice and caution.

"It doesn't concern me."

Five words that drew her line in the sand.

William nodded approvingly. "However impressive Nathan may be, the Blackwoods prioritize short-term gains. They're not to be trusted."

Except for Nathan, the entire Blackwood clan lacked vision. Even old Reginald Blackwood focused only on immediate profits - disappointing indeed.

Evelyn knew the Blackwoods wouldn't wait indefinitely for her response.

She wanted no further entanglement with that family.

"I understand. I'll maintain appropriate boundaries."

That was William's true concern - that she might soften and get hurt again.

His protective instincts toward his daughter ran deep.

Dawn broke chilly the next morning.

A persistent drizzle pattered against the windows, the rhythmic tapping almost hypnotic.

Evelyn had tossed all night, plagued by inexplicable restlessness.

After a slow morning routine, she descended to find Lucas Sterling gulping orange juice while watching celebrity gossip.

She tossed her car keys at him. "Drive me to work."

Lucas nearly choked. "Can't you leave earlier with Alexander? You're both CEOs, but he's clearly more dedicated!"

Evelyn arched an eyebrow just as William returned from his morning fishing.

"Dad! Lucas is shaming me for sleeping in and refusing to drive me!"

William fixed his youngest son with a warning glare. "Looking for trouble?"

Lucas stomped his foot in protest. The favoritism was outrageous! "Don't I deserve parental love too?"

Evelyn smirked victoriously. After all these years, her baby brother still hadn't learned his place in the family hierarchy.