Chapter 528

Nathan Blackwood's eyes held a flicker of disdain. Evelyn Sinclair caught that fleeting expression, and it felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

Her breath hitched.

Nathan lifted his gaze to meet hers.

"The reason you were dismissed from Sterling Enterprises should be obvious. Blackwood Industries doesn't keep employees who can't even complete their probation. And let's be honest—don’t compare yourself to Evelyn. You’re from entirely different worlds."

The gap between them was as vast as the sky and the earth. What was there to compare?

His words were brutal, indifferent to whether they shattered Victoria Ashford’s pride. Her face drained of color.

Even Harrison, his assistant, felt a pang of sympathy for her.

Yet, instead of leaving, Victoria stood frozen, fists clenched, staring at Nathan with wounded eyes.

She realized—he knew. He knew she was an illegitimate daughter.

All those carefully crafted identities, those rehearsed conversations, meant nothing in the face of true nobility.

She had spent years pretending to be part of high society, but Nathan saw through her in an instant.

How could she ever dream of becoming Mrs. Blackwood?

The taunts from her past stabbed at her like needles. She bit her lip hard, on the verge of turning away—

When Harrison suddenly exclaimed, "Ms. Sterling? Mr. Kingsley?"

Evelyn and Dominic Kingsley had arrived at an inopportune moment. They had intended to leave, but it was too late.

They had heard enough—especially the part involving Evelyn.

Nathan’s expression shifted instantly. He stood and approached with a practiced smile.

"How fortunate to see you twice in one day."

The words were undeniably directed at Evelyn.

Dominic turned his head slightly, feeling like an invisible spectator.

Evelyn frowned and took a deliberate step back, maintaining distance.

"Mr. Kingsley mentioned urgent business. We need a meeting."

Nathan’s face smoothed into calm authority. He turned to Harrison. "Prepare the conference room."

"Understood."

Harrison set down his files, then hesitated, remembering Victoria still stood there. "Ms. Ashford, Mr. Blackwood has a meeting now. You should—"

Victoria was stunned, humiliated.

Evelyn wasn’t angry. She wasn’t mocking. Her indifference was worse—it made Victoria feel like she didn’t even warrant a reaction.

As she turned to leave, a sleek Porsche pulled up outside. A sharply dressed man stepped out and opened the passenger door for Evelyn.

The tenderness in his gaze was eerily similar to Nathan’s.

Evelyn slid into the car.

"I’ll need your help with this issue. Our team in Europe can’t contain the public backlash alone. At the very least, we should keep this quiet until the investigation is complete."

With Preston Sinclair’s influence, controlling European media and stock markets was effortless.

Preston nodded as he drove.

"Consider it done. I’ll have my contacts monitor the situation and suppress any damaging leaks."

Evelyn smiled. "Thank you. Let me treat you to dinner."

Preston chuckled. "I’m flattered you thought of me. But… just dinner?"