Chapter 628

The department head's complexion turned ghostly white. Sweat beaded on his forehead like morning dew.

His entire frame trembled visibly. The air in the conference room thickened instantly.

Other executives held their breath, fearing collateral damage. Nathan Blackwood had been in high spirits moments ago.

He'd even comforted this same department head about an earlier mistake. Encouraged him to improve.

Now his demeanor shifted like a storm rolling in. The change was abrupt, terrifying.

Was Nathan's mood swing too volatile? Or was this poor soul simply cursed with bad timing? Harrison stood frozen nearby.

He mentally lit a candle for the unfortunate project lead. Some fates couldn't be avoided.

Nathan's expression darkened like a winter sky before snowfall.

His glacial gaze swept across the room. The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees instantly.

"Preston Sinclair is with Evelyn now?!" The sweating department head wiped his brow nervously.

"Mr. Blackwood, during your absence... certain projects were temporarily paused..."

His voice faltered. "We weren't certain about allocating additional funds—"

Nathan slammed his phone on the mahogany table. The crack echoed like gunfire.

His eyes could have frozen hell itself. "Then what exactly do I pay you for?"

That icy stare lingered. "Submit a full report by end of day. Or clear your desk."

Without another glance, Nathan stormed out. Harrison scrambled after him, scooping up the abandoned phone.

"Sir—" Harrison extended the device cautiously. Nathan snatched it without breaking stride.

"I ordered you to monitor Evelyn." His voice could have cut diamonds. "How did Preston Sinclair slip through?"

Harrison blinked rapidly. "Ms. Sinclair's meeting was in Montevista. You declined the invitation personally."

"The agenda seemed unimportant then. Preston wasn't due back for three days according to—"

Realization dawned. Preston had returned early. Damn.

Preston Sinclair played the harmless bachelor well. But Wall Street knew his claws were sharp.

Tracking such a powerful figure wasn't simple.

Nathan's office door crashed open. "When does it end?"

"The conference concludes this afternoon. Ms. Sinclair should return by evening—"

"Should?" Nathan's glare could have melted steel. Harrison's shoulders hunched instinctively.

"It's too late for you to intercept them now." He swallowed hard. "Your afternoon schedule is packed with—"

"Get out." The command came like a guillotine drop.

Harrison retreated hastily. The door clicked shut behind him.

Meanwhile, Evelyn walked alone through twilight streets. Bennett remained swamped in San Francisco.

She had no companions in this unfamiliar city. The sky deepened from sapphire to indigo, then black.

A crisp breeze stirred fallen leaves around her ankles. She cut through a pocket park toward the shopping district.

Spotting a luxury boutique, she entered on impulse. The weight of shopping bags soon warmed her hands.

Dressed casually with a baseball cap, she moved unrecognized. But her spending habits turned heads.

Store attendants gaped as she selected items without glancing at price tags. They tripped over themselves to assist.

Purchases piled up. She arranged direct shipping to Nathan's penthouse.

Her mood lifted momentarily. Then Preston's face flashed in her mind.

Nathan's calm shattered again. The thought of Evelyn with that silver-tongued shark made his skin crawl.

It was intolerable. His jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth.

Preston was more dangerous than Xavier Delmont. But every man had weaknesses.

No one takes Evelyn from me. The vow burned in his chest.

Evelyn opted against returning to San Francisco that night. The hotel provided sanctuary.

She couldn't face another grand gesture on public screens. That ridiculous demand still mortified her.

Dressed down in jeans and a cap, she wandered the shopping district solo.

Receipts overflowed her pockets as she exited another store. Then froze.

Black-suited security formed a perimeter ahead. The sight triggered a memory—summer sunlight, laughter.

Happiness so intense it hurt. Life glowing golden at its edges.

The moment passed. Her smile faded. How long since she'd felt such lightness?

Looking back, true joy seemed foreign. Since falling for Nathan, every bright moment came tinged with shadows.

Nathan Blackwood was her personal curse. The man beside her withdrew his hands gracefully.

Evelyn glanced sideways. Preston's pianist fingers were unfairly elegant. No wonder he played so well.

Natural advantage indeed. "Ms. Sinclair, you'll forgive my amateur skills?" His self-deprecating tone held mischief.