Chapter 567

Xavier's throat tightened. A flicker of terror flashed in his eyes.

"N-No... Mr. Blackwood, you've got it all wrong."

Nathan loomed over Xavier, his towering presence emphasizing the insurmountable gap between them.

The difference wasn't just physical. Nathan's sheer dominance made Xavier seem insignificant - a mere insect beneath his polished shoes.

Xavier's pathetic little schemes crumbled to dust under Nathan's gaze.

How dare this imitation think he could replace the original?

"Got it wrong?" Nathan's laugh was ice-cold. He flung medical records at Xavier's face. "You spent nearly a million dollars to copy my face?" The documents fluttered to the ground. "Imagine what the media would do with these."

Xavier's hands trembled as he stared at the damning evidence.

"Mr. Blackwood, please—"

This was his darkest secret. After the accident that ruined his face, the surgeon had suggested using a template. Xavier had chosen Nathan Blackwood without hesitation - the most powerful financier in the country, whose looks surpassed most actors.

His career was finally taking off. The public despised plastic surgery frauds. If this got out...

Xavier dropped to his knees, scrambling forward. Nathan's bodyguards blocked him before he could touch their boss.

"Please don't expose me! I'll do anything! I'll stay away from Ms. Sinclair, I swear! My career—"

Nathan's contemptuous gaze cut him off.

Xavier knew the truth. Evelyn only tolerated him because he resembled Nathan Blackwood. Without that resemblance, he was nothing.

"Anything?" Nathan's voice dropped dangerously.

"Yes! Anything!"

"How far did things go with Evelyn?"

Nathan had watched them all day. Their familiarity. Their private jokes. The way Evelyn touched Xavier's arm.

He needed to know. The uncertainty was driving him mad.

Xavier shook his head violently. "N-Nothing happened!"

Nathan's kick sent Xavier sprawling. The impact cracked ribs.

Xavier gasped, clutching his chest. Each breath was agony.

"It's true! Industry veterans told me to... to cater to wealthy patrons. I was just playing the part! She's my biggest investor—"

Nathan turned away in disgust.

Xavier thought it was over.

Then strong hands yanked him up by the hair. Fists rained down. Kicks landed in his ribs. He curled into a ball, sobbing.

"I told the truth! Why—"

Twenty brutal minutes later, the beating stopped.

A bodyguard leaned down. "Remember your place. Some people aren't for the likes of you."

They left him broken on the floor.

Evelyn Sinclair was forever out of reach.

Outside, Nathan exhaled. The weight lifted from his shoulders.

Theodore had been right. Evelyn was using Xavier to push him away.

But Nathan Blackwood didn't back down.

He pulled out his phone and typed a message to Evelyn.