Chapter 571

Dominic Kingsley stared blankly at the cloudless sky outside his office window. His chest tightened with an unbearable sense of injustice.

He had no choice but to obey Nathan Blackwood's orders.

Evelyn Sinclair was on her way back to the office when her phone buzzed with Nathan's call.

She considered ignoring it, but after a brief hesitation, she answered. "Mr. Blackwood, what do you want?"

Nathan's voice was smooth, laced with unmistakable amusement. He was clearly in high spirits.

Even if their relationship wasn't public, they were far from just friends. Eventually, they would reconcile.

"I just found out about Dominic Kingsley's little stunt. As a director of Kingsley Tech, I wasn't even informed. I’ve already reprimanded him—don’t worry, it won’t affect the project."

Evelyn stayed silent for several seconds before responding.

"Do you think I’m stupid?"

Dominic wouldn’t dare sabotage the project without orders from higher up.

Nathan paused, feigning surprise. "What are you implying? That I told him to do this? I’d never resort to such underhanded tactics."

His chest tightened. If Evelyn was truly angry, their fragile progress would shatter instantly.

The thought was unbearable.

Every second of her silence felt like torture, a knife twisting in his chest.

Finally, she scoffed, her voice icy. "Nathan Blackwood, you never fail to surprise me."

Just as she was about to hang up, Nathan blurted out, "Sweetheart, wait!"

Evelyn froze.

Had she misheard? Did he just—?

"Nathan, be serious for once. I don’t want to hear that nonsense from you again."

Disgusting. That kind of sickening pet name had no place between them.

Nathan chuckled lowly. "You don’t like it? I can try another."

Silence.

He thought for a moment. "How about 'baby'?"

Theodore Winslow had told him that pet names were the first step to rebuilding intimacy.

He’d prefer to call her "wife," but he knew Evelyn would murder him on the spot.

Weren’t all couples these days unbearably clingy?

Nathan used to find it childish. Now, he craved it.

He was already brainstorming names for their future children.

Evelyn’s silence stretched for a full minute. The sharp click of her heels echoed—she must have stepped into an elevator.

Hearing the nickname, her face twisted in disbelief. What the hell?

She regretted ever giving Nathan a second chance. Even as a facade, this was too much.

Nathan mistook her silence for dissatisfaction.

"Babe" might not be as intimate as "baby," but it was better than nothing.

He spun the pen in his hand—a limited edition worth thousands—unable to contain his excitement.

The sound of Evelyn’s footsteps stopped as the elevator doors closed.

Finally, she gritted out, "Do I need to book you an appointment with a psychiatrist?"

Nathan’s voice dropped. "Only you can cure this heart disease."

Damn it. Evelyn hung up before he could say more.

That bastard knew exactly how to flirt when he wanted to.

Few could resist his charm.

Her ears burned. She refused to let his sweet words sway her.

Was I too lenient last time? He was nearly in tears then...