Chapter 948

Nathan Blackwood didn't spare Victoria Pierce a single glance. His gaze remained locked on Isabella Montgomery as he dragged her out despite her violent protests.

Evelyn Sinclair's brows knitted together. Fear gripped her at the thought of Donovan Pierce taking Isabella away. She moved to intervene when Nathan's icy voice cut through the tension.

"Harrison." His command sliced through the air. "Inform Mr. Pierce that our contract signing is postponed indefinitely."

Harrison had been observing from the shadows. He straightened immediately at his name. "Understood, Mr. Blackwood."

Was this to prevent Evelyn from chasing after them? Her hesitation lasted only a moment before Nathan spoke again. "Evelyn—"

She turned. Nathan stood now, his piercing gaze as intense and domineering as ever.

His voice came low and rough. "We owe you thanks. Without your warning, we'd have lost millions after signing with Pierce."

Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line. "If you want to thank anyone, thank Isabella. The information came from her."

Victoria Pierce paled at Nathan's words. Their deal was clearly dead. "Mr. Blackwood, you'd believe that lunatic over us?"

Nathan paused. His glacial stare made Victoria shrink back. "Consider it due diligence. Your company's credibility was already questionable."

He stepped closer to Evelyn. "As thanks, let me treat you to dinner." When she frowned, he added, "Ms. Montgomery included."

Something felt off. Nathan's calm demeanor didn't match the storm she'd witnessed last night. His eyes revealed nothing—dark pools impossible to read.

She forced a polite smile. "We have prior engagements. Another time."

With that, Evelyn turned on her heel and left.

Nathan's expression darkened. A barely perceptible tension gripped his frame before he followed her out. The remaining occupants exhaled in relief—even failed negotiations were preferable to suffocating under Nathan's oppressive presence.

Outside, Evelyn spotted Donovan and Isabella arguing nearby. Isabella's furious gestures suggested she was unleashing every curse in the dictionary. Seeing her friend holding her own, Evelyn hung back.

Harrison waited at a discreet distance.

Before she could settle, Nathan's familiar presence materialized beside her. His voice came low and rough. "Donovan's dangerous. Warn your friend."

Evelyn shot him a sidelong glance. Nathan met her gaze, one brow quirking upward. "What? Don't trust me? Now that you're with someone else, have I become irredeemable?" His lips twisted. "What else did Preston say about me?"

Evelyn's face remained impassive. "You don't come up in our conversations."

The words struck like a physical blow. Nathan's entire body stiffened. The carefully controlled storm in his eyes threatened to break free.

Nothing cut deeper than indifference. Nathan felt it viscerally—an invisible hand tearing through his chest, shredding what remained of his composure. Yet he could only endure the pain in silence.