Chapter 578

Sterling Manor

Little Oliver's boredom vanished the moment he started playing with Leo.

Upstairs, Evelyn had just freshened up and was reviewing stock market trends in the study.

The door creaked open. Without looking up, Evelyn already knew who it was.

Lucas stood there, holding a velvet box in his hands.

"Evie, got a minute?"

He grinned and placed the box in front of her.

"Can you give this to her for me?"

"To who?"

Evelyn raised a brow and flipped the box open.

Inside lay the teardrop-shaped jade pendant—repaired, as if it had never shattered.

At first glance, it looked flawless. Only upon closer inspection could one spot the faintest hairline fracture.

Lucas had gone to great lengths to restore it.

Evelyn lifted her gaze. "Lucas, you should give this to Natalie yourself. She’ll be thrilled."

He sighed. "She probably doesn’t want to see me."

Evelyn pushed the box back toward him. "No, she will. And she’ll be even happier if it comes from you."

This was the perfect chance for them to reconcile. She wasn’t about to steal that moment from them.

Lucas hesitated. Evelyn thought for a second, then said, "The Whitmores are hosting a banquet tomorrow. Natalie will be there. Come with me."

That way, she wouldn’t have to deal with that insufferable Nathan Blackwood alone.

They reached an agreement and headed to their respective rooms.

The next afternoon, Evelyn stepped out of a meeting when Bennett asked if she needed an evening gown for the reception.

She suddenly remembered Tristan Whitmore’s bizarre "remarriage" announcement.

"Remarriage? When did Tristan even get divorced?"

High-profile divorces involving corporate interests usually caused stock market tremors. Most couples avoided public splits at all costs.

Not everyone was reckless enough to pull what she and Nathan had done—burning bridges regardless of consequences.

Bennett pulled her from her thoughts. "Ms. Sterling, should I arrange an assistant to accompany you tonight?"

Evelyn shook her head. "No, Lucas is coming with me. Just pick something simple."

She had no intention of upstaging someone else’s wedding celebration.

Bennett nodded and left.

By late afternoon, Nathan’s sleek black limousine pulled up outside Sterling Enterprises, as if he wanted the entire city to know he’d come to fetch her.

He stood in the lobby, drawing every eye in the building. Soon, whispers about Nathan and Evelyn’s relationship spread like wildfire.

Theodore had told him publicity was good, so Nathan waited patiently, unfazed.

Employees leaving work cast him curious glances, bursting into gossip the second they passed him.

"Is Mr. Blackwood really getting back with Ms. Sterling?"

"Even if he wants to, it’s not that easy. Ms. Sterling’s single now, and half the city’s elite are lining up for her. Yesterday, there were at least three other guys waiting downstairs just like him—all got sent away."

Nathan’s mood darkened instantly.

"Three?!" His jaw clenched. "Seems I’ve been too lenient."

Just then, Evelyn descended the stairs in a fitted black knee-length dress, a string of pearls around her neck. A white trench coat draped over her shoulders, making her look effortlessly striking.

Bennett carried her purse, but instead of heading toward Nathan, they walked straight to a Maybach that had just pulled up.

Nathan’s eyes narrowed.

So this was the "someone else" she’d mentioned.

"She really didn’t take me seriously, did she?" His fists tightened. "How long has this been planned?"

With a cold expression, he adjusted his cuffs and strode forward.

Time to see who dared steal her right under his nose.