Chapter 782

Evelyn let out a soft chuckle as she stepped closer to Nathan.

"What's done is done. Do you really think throwing baseless accusations at an innocent man will get you what you want?"

"Baseless?" Nathan's jaw tightened. "Everyone knows Preston Sinclair's scandalous affair with his brother's wife. That's no secret overseas."

Nathan couldn't stand Evelyn's dismissive attitude, her blind faith in Preston. He needed her to see the truth.

But Evelyn remained perfectly composed.

She'd known about this long before Nathan mentioned it - knew more than he could imagine.

'His brother's wife? That would be Oliver's biological mother.'

The way Nathan phrased it sounded so crude. Yet Preston had sacrificed his reputation to give Oliver legitimacy. That deserved respect.

Evelyn tilted her head slightly, meeting Nathan's gaze with amusement.

"Mr. Blackwood, perhaps don't judge what you don't understand."

Then she delivered her counterstrike.

"Weren't you involved with your brother's woman too?"

Vanessa Holloway had been Theodore Hart's girlfriend, yet Nathan had moved heaven and earth for her.

What right did he have to cast stones?

Nathan froze as if struck. Humiliation and frustration twisted his features.

His mood darkened instantly.

Leaning into her personal space, his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"You trust Preston more than me, don't you?"

Evelyn met his stormy gaze without flinching. "I trust the truth."

Nathan's handsome face darkened with barely restrained fury.

She didn't trust the truth - she simply didn't trust him.

His breathing grew ragged, eyes burning with unshed rage.

He wanted to scream. To break something. To make her understand.

But looking at her, he forced himself to calm down.

"You can't do this to me, Evelyn," he rasped. "After everything - saving your life, nearly dying for you. You can't just move on so quickly—"

'And doubt me. Hurt me. Push me away,' he thought bitterly.

Evelyn watched his composure crack and felt a flicker of satisfaction.

If not for his past heroics, she wouldn't be having this conversation at all.

Her expression cooled. "We're discussing business, Mr. Blackwood, yet you bring up personal matters? I know you didn't orchestrate the online attacks, but you're still connected. Not that it matters - it's all in the past."

A cold smile played on her lips. She had plans brewing.

Nathan studied her carefully, the bitterness spreading through him like poison.

She truly believed him guilty.

"The late-night exposé was my grandfather's doing," he admitted. "I've handled it. You needn't worry."

His probing gaze found no purchase in her impassive face.

Evelyn's eyes flashed with realization. 'So Reginald Blackwood was behind this. Like grandfather, like grandson.'

She nearly laughed. 'Don't worry? Does he expect me to pretend nothing happened?'

"Give Chairman Blackwood my regards," she said sweetly.

Nathan frowned. There was something beneath her words he couldn't decipher.

Something dangerous.

"Then... are you still—"

'Angry?' he wanted to ask, but the words died in his throat.