Chapter 808

Evelyn should have realized it earlier. How could Reginald Blackwood make such outrageous demands without preparation?

She was trained in combat. If her leg hadn't been injured, she could take down ten more men without breaking a sweat.

Reginald knew she was impaired—that she couldn’t move swiftly.

That’s why he only brought two guards.

If Evelyn had agreed to let Bennett leave from the start, Reginald probably wouldn’t have allowed him to walk away.

The realization struck her like lightning.

A slow, knowing smile curved her lips. She turned her gaze toward Reginald, stepping closer with deliberate grace. Her voice softened, laced with false deference.

"Reginald, why make this so unpleasant? If I’ve offended you, just say it outright. I’ll correct my behavior."

His lips curled in a sneer. He saw her shift in demeanor and mistook it for fear.

His guard lowered.

"Good. You finally understand. Nathan is fond of you, so he tolerates your temper. But don’t mistake his indulgence for weakness. There will always be those greater than you—those who won’t coddle you. If you weren’t William Sterling’s daughter, I would’ve—"

Evelyn moved.

Fast.

Reginald barely had time to react before she was in his space, her cane raised. His face paled, his body stiffening in the chair.

The cane didn’t strike his face.

Instead, it hovered, a silent threat.

Then, in one fluid motion, she was behind him, the cane pressing hard against his chest, pinning him in place.

Bennett seized the moment, swiftly binding Reginald’s hands. The old man’s furious glare burned into him.

Evelyn’s voice was ice. "What exactly would you have done to me, Reginald? Do you think I care about the Blackwood name? If I hadn’t been foolish enough to love Nathan once, would your family even deserve to stand beside the Sterlings?"

She was holding back.

If not for his age, she would’ve beaten him senseless. But she wasn’t in the mood for murder charges today.

Reginald’s breath hitched. "I thought your leg was useless."

Evelyn laughed. "Even crippled, I’m still more than you can handle."

That was all the explanation he deserved.

Reginald’s face darkened with rage. His chest heaved as he glanced at the two men by the door.

They stood frozen, stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Reginald gasped dramatically, as if struggling to breathe.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Stop the act. You’re healthier than most. Pity—good men die young, but men like you live forever."

His breathing steadied. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "What do you want? Fine. You’ve won. Today’s negotiations are over. Leave."

Evelyn smirked.

"Leave? Now that I have you right where I want you?"

His jaw clenched. "What are you planning?"

He sounded so sure of himself. So certain she wouldn’t dare cross the line.

The Sterlings had principles, after all.

Evelyn leaned in, her voice a lethal whisper.

"I think Nathan deserves to know what you’ve done."

Reginald’s face went slack.

Panic flickered in his eyes.

He wasn’t afraid of Nathan discovering his backdoor dealings.

But if Nathan found out he’d gone after Evelyn?

That would destroy everything.