Chapter 873

Nathan's expression darkened, his jaw tightening with barely concealed fury.

He took a step forward, but Tristan grabbed his arm. "Reginald Blackwood is coming this way."

Given Nathan's strained relationship with his grandfather, a confrontation was the last thing anyone wanted.

Reginald Blackwood approached with an air of smug confidence, his sharp eyes glinting with calculation beneath the wrinkles of age.

"Evelyn, my dear," he greeted, his voice dripping with false warmth.

Evelyn hadn't expected him to acknowledge her at all.

The last time they'd spoken, he'd tried to manipulate her into turning against Nathan under the guise of Pacific Crest Enterprises.

Now, he acted as if nothing had happened?

If she weren't here to witness the spectacle, she would've avoided him entirely.

The man was a viper in silk.

She forced a polite smile. "Chairman—ah, forgive me. Mr. Blackwood. Thank you for the invitation." She raised her glass in a perfunctory toast.

Reginald's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered. Beside her, Preston Sinclair smoothly intervened.

"Mr. Blackwood has retired from Blackwood Industries to enjoy his golden years, Evelyn. We should respect that."

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "My mistake. Old habits die hard."

To the untrained eye, it was a simple slip of the tongue.

But Reginald knew better. She was mocking his failed power grab.

He swallowed the insult with practiced grace.

His aged face twitched before he chuckled, eyes gleaming. "Youthful exuberance. I don’t hold it against you. Though seeing you two together, I finally understand why you’ve been rejecting Nathan—Mr. Sinclair is quite the accomplished man. A titan in Pacifica’s investment circles. How fortunate you’ve found each other!"

His words were laced with poison, designed to stir gossip.

Evelyn stiffened. The murmurs around them were already starting.

She didn’t know how to untangle this web without making it worse.

Her expression turned icy, but Preston placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Your praise is appreciated, Mr. Blackwood," he said smoothly, "but I’m still in the courting phase. While I hope Ms. Sinclair will accept me one day, I’d hate for any misunderstandings to trouble her."

Evelyn glanced at him, surprised.

Instead of exploiting the situation, he was diffusing it.

That was… unexpectedly considerate.

The speculative whispers died down.

Preston’s words clarified nothing—yet made everything clear.

Not far away, Nathan overheard and exhaled sharply, the tension in his shoulders easing.

So they weren’t together.

His fingers unclenched.

Evelyn had no interest in prolonging this charade. "Mr. Blackwood," she cut in coolly, "what exactly is the purpose of tonight’s event?"