Chapter 563

Evelyn Sinclair sat quietly, rolling up her sleeves with deliberate movements.

If Lucas heard what she just said, he'd probably burst out laughing.

She couldn't shake Nathan off, and he refused to give up. Fine. Then she'd have to be more... extreme.

Once he got tired of her, he'd stop being so persistent, right?

She wouldn't repeat past mistakes. This time, she'd end it for good.

A few minutes later, Lucas nudged her.

"Look at them."

Evelyn glanced up, squinted, then lowered her gaze again.

Nathan and Xavier stood together not far away, surrounded by staff, the director, and his assistant.

The two men shared similar features but carried entirely different energies. Xavier had a delicate, almost feminine air, shorter than Nathan, his presence lacking the commanding dominance Nathan naturally exuded.

Nathan had finally gotten Evelyn to agree to give him a chance. He wasn't about to waste a single second of it.

But this counterfeit kept appearing in front of him, bold and uninvited.

Disgust churned in Nathan's gut.

He wanted the man gone. Off the set. Immediately.

The director rambled beside him, but Nathan wasn't listening.

The more the director spoke, the darker Nathan's expression grew.

Confused and desperate, the director kept talking, only making things worse.

Lucas smirked, glancing down at Evelyn. "Nathan Blackwood invested in this film. You think he'll kick Xavier out?"

Evelyn turned to him. "How did you even get Xavier cast as the second lead?"

"Was there no one else?"

Lucas raised a brow. "The second lead dies in his first scene. He only exists in flashbacks. No face time needed."

Ah. That explained it.

Evelyn blinked, then lifted a finger, curling it slightly.

"Hey. Come here."

Her voice—cool, smooth—drew every eye in the vicinity.

Everyone froze.

The director and staff exchanged glances.

Who was she calling?

Nathan's jaw tightened, his gaze sharpening.

His shirt collar was slightly open, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly.

Xavier, excited, dropped his script and practically skipped toward the wooden cabin where Evelyn sat.

But before he could reach her, Evelyn said something that made him stop dead.

His face fell.

Disappointed, he turned away.

Evelyn lifted her eyes to Nathan and curled her finger again. Silent.

Nathan chuckled, no trace of irritation left. He strode toward her, steps light, a rare smile playing on his lips.

The entire set went still.

What. Just. Happened.

Evelyn Sinclair had summoned Nathan Blackwood with a finger, and he'd gone to her without hesitation—no temper, no resistance.

People rubbed their eyes, certain they were hallucinating.

The director gaped as Nathan's icy demeanor melted in an instant.

For Nathan, this might have been the highlight of his life.

Better than any award.

He stepped inside, only to pause when he saw Lucas beside Evelyn.

His smile dimmed slightly—but not enough to matter.

He nodded at Lucas in greeting, then arched a brow at Evelyn.

"You called me?"

He'd almost said, Miss me?

But he caught himself.

He wouldn't push his luck in front of Lucas.

Evelyn's expression remained impassive.

"You invested in this film?"

"Yes."

"Xavier is playing the second lead. Don't interfere."