Chapter 775

The study was bathed in a cold, dim glow, devoid of any warmth.

Papers and shattered glass littered the floor, the air thick with tension.

Nathan stood with his back to the light, his tall frame swallowed by shadows.

Only half of his sharp, chiseled features were visible—his dark eyes glinted like steel, barely containing the storm beneath.

He regretted it now—his mercy. He should have stripped Reginald Blackwood of all power from the start.

"Do you even realize what you've done?"

His voice was rough, low, edged with barely restrained fury as he glared at the old man.

Reginald merely smirked, amused by Nathan's hesitation.

Foolish boy. Still too soft.

"Did you really think your petty schemes would work against Preston Sinclair? I merely fanned the flames—let the fire consume him completely."

If Nathan hadn't made the first move, Reginald wouldn't have had the opening to strike.

He gave Nathan a knowing look.

"You hate him, don't you? For saving Evelyn. For worming his way into the Sterlings' good graces. You had the right idea—public opinion is a weapon. Let it destroy him. Once he's ruined, the Sterlings will turn their backs on him. And then... she'll have no choice but to return to you."

Nathan's chest tightened.

His gaze turned glacial, his voice razor-sharp.

"I stopped because I didn’t want Evelyn caught in the crossfire. But you—you dragged her into this mess. Now the entire world is talking about her. Is that what you wanted?"

Reginald merely smiled, unbothered.

"Sentimentality has no place in ambition. The public already despises the idea of her with Preston—a scandalous man with a bastard child. Versus you—her devoted ex-husband. The Sterlings aren’t fools. They’ll choose reputation over ruin."

He scoffed, disgusted by Nathan's weakness.

All this trouble for a woman. Pathetic.

"Women—they don’t appreciate kindness. Sometimes, you have to take what you want. Force her hand. Once she’s yours, you can make her love you. I’m giving you the opportunity!"

If Evelyn weren’t the Sterling heiress, Reginald wouldn’t have tolerated this obsession.

A woman was only worth her connections.

Everything else was just distraction.

Nathan’s fury burned hotter. His expression darkened, the air around him turning lethal.

"Do you honestly think the Sterlings won’t uncover the truth? That they’ll still let their daughter marry me after this? You’ve miscalculated. Push Evelyn too far, and she’ll drag us all down with her."

Reginald faltered. He hadn’t considered that.

Nathan’s voice dropped, deadly quiet.

"To ensure this never happens again, I’ve prepared your resignation from the board. Sign it. Or I’ll make it public myself."

The message was clear—power had shifted.

The Blackwood name now answered to him.

Reginald’s face twisted in outrage.

His hands shook with fury.

"You ungrateful bastard!"