Chapter 829

Nathan Blackwood instinctively resisted the idea. He knew Evelyn Sinclair would never fall for such cheap tricks.

Yet Theodore Winslow confidently patted his chest, assuring his employer.

Nathan glanced down at his phone again. The red exclamation mark still glared back at him, mocking his failed message delivery.

He had no choice but to consider alternative approaches.

With a grim expression, Nathan picked up the iPad. His eyes burned after just one glance.

He threw it back onto the table. "Absolutely not. I refuse to even look at this garbage."

Nathan stood abruptly. As CEO of Blackwood Industries, he could give Evelyn the world on a silver platter. He'd lay down his life for her without hesitation.

Why should he degrade himself with these ridiculous pickup lines? It was torture.

[I've never been so obsessed with someone before. You're unlike any woman I've ever met.]

[There are a million things I want to tell you, but when I see you, all I can say is 'I miss you.' Hope your boyfriend won't mind...]

[I know you're upset with me, but surely he won't object to us talking? It's not like anything's happening between us.]

Theodore grew anxious. "Mr. Blackwood, you should know Preston Sinclair just purchased the penthouse at Grandeur Towers - the one closest to Ms. Sinclair's apartment! He's preparing for a long siege!"

Nathan's eyes darkened, his voice dripping with smug superiority. "I own the entire floor above and below her apartment. I'm closer."

"But Ms. Sinclair isn't staying at her apartment," Theodore countered. "She's living at Sterling Manor now."

Nathan froze for three heartbeats. "Can we buy Sterling Manor?"

Impossible.

The Sterlings would never agree.

Theodore studied his employer, thinking: 'Who cares about pride at this point? Whether it's a black cat or white cat, as long as it catches the mouse...'

"Mr. Blackwood, we're already losing to Preston. Between you two, Ms. Sinclair clearly favors him! If we don't act soon..." Theodore swallowed hard. "They might start a family before you know it."

He wanted to smack some sense into Nathan. 'Wake up! Your ex-wife is slipping through your fingers!'

Nathan's expression turned glacial. His sharp gaze made Theodore shrink back, realizing he'd crossed a line.

The assistant had touched every one of Nathan's raw nerves.

The room fell silent as Theodore bowed his head, trembling under Nathan's withering stare.

After a long pause, Nathan spoke through clenched teeth. "He's delusional."

"Completely delusional!" Theodore quickly agreed.

Nathan snatched up the iPad again, forcing himself to read through the cringe-worthy content with visible discomfort. 'Why would any woman prefer this nonsense over genuine affection? Diamonds speak louder than empty words.'

Theodore smiled inwardly. This change in attitude gave him hope for reconciliation.

"Mr. Blackwood, we have two approaches - the soft method like Adrian Blackwood's charm, or the hard method like those dominant CEO romance novels."

Nathan didn't hesitate. "Hard method."

Night had fallen over the city, lights twinkling like distant stars against the dark sky.

Back at Highland Estates...

After spending two hours handling overseas business in his study, Nathan turned his attention to the kitchen.

Theodore had found a particularly dramatic CEO romance novel for Nathan. Knowing his employer's schedule, he'd converted it to audiobook format.

So there stood Nathan - tall, imposing, and utterly expressionless - stirring a pot while listening to romantic drivel.

His brows knitted together in visible distress. The iPad nearly ended up in the stew.

"Mr. Blackwood, please endure it," Theodore pleaded. "Women love this stuff!"

Nathan looked ready to explode as the ridiculous narration continued: "The 6'3" domineering CEO, upon hearing his woman dared disobey him, clutched his newly transplanted heart, pulled out a two-million-dollar check, and slapped it across her face."

"Bullshit!" Nathan roared.