Chapter 899

Nathan's piercing gaze was ice-cold, his dark eyes burning with barely contained fury.

"Let it go? After everything I've done to earn Evelyn's forgiveness, that woman had to ruin it all in one night! You expect me to just forget this?" Nathan's voice dripped with venom, his usual composure shattered.

His lips curled in disdain as he studied Julian. "This is the brilliant candidate you recommended for Pacific Crest International's Asia division? Pathetic."

The temperature in the room plummeted. "What did she promise you to make you defend her so fiercely? That incompetent fool has no business leading our Asian operations!" Nathan's knuckles turned white against his desk. "I didn't appoint you Vice President to install your mistress in key positions!"

Julian's face drained of color.

Their affair had been carefully hidden - no public interactions, with Julian maintaining closer ties to the other candidate, Nathaniel Graves.

How had Nathan discovered the truth?

The realization hit Julian like a physical blow. He'd grown complacent, believing himself indispensable. But Pacific Crest International had cycled through countless vice presidents before him.

As Julian opened his mouth to deny the allegations, Nathan cut him off with a glacial stare. "Do your job. Get out."

The unspoken message was clear - Pacific Crest belonged to Nathan Blackwood, and no one else. Julian's authority extended only as far as Nathan permitted.

Outside, Cassandra Blake remained slumped against the wall, her designer dress still stained with wine, hair matted against her tear-streaked face. "Mr. Whitmore? What did he say? Did you—"

"Save yourself while you can." Julian brushed past without a backward glance, his polished Oxfords clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Self-preservation had always been his strongest instinct. No woman was worth sacrificing his career.

Cassandra's sobs echoed through the corridor until Harrison emerged moments later.

"Mr. Blackwood is allowing you to resign voluntarily," Harrison stated coolly. "Consider it a professional courtesy after your years of service."

"This is ridiculous! It was just a misunderstanding—I'll apologize to Evelyn myself!" Cassandra scrambled to her feet.

Harrison's expression remained impassive. "Ms. Blake, you arrived in Montecito and immediately provoked Ms. Sinclair without understanding the dynamics. Did you truly believe this would end well for you?"

The color drained from Cassandra's face.

"You miscalculated," Harrison continued. "You assumed your value to Pacific Crest outweighed Ms. Sinclair's importance to Mr. Blackwood."

Cassandra's nails dug into her palms.

That exact arrogance had blinded her. She'd never imagined Nathan would choose a woman over business interests.

Harrison adjusted his cufflinks with deliberate calm. "Many have made the same mistake. But to Mr. Blackwood, not even Pacific Crest and Blackwood Industries combined hold a candle to Evelyn Sinclair. Resign now, while you still can. Unless you'd prefer to learn firsthand how ruthless he can be when truly angered."

The threat hung in the air between them, heavier than the expensive perfume still clinging to Cassandra's ruined dress.