Chapter 961

Evelyn hesitated, torn between asking what was inside the document. Alexander made the decision for her.

Learn from past mistakes.

The past had been a brutal teacher.

When Evelyn fell in love, her entire family became hypervigilant over every little detail.

How did I end up with such an overprotective but loving family? she mused.

With a small smile, she reached for the folder. "You're right. I shouldn't take everything at face value. I need to know his true intentions before getting in too deep."

Alexander nodded, pleased with his sister's rationality. Good, she's being smart about this.

Evelyn smirked at him. "Big Brother, since you're also a man, maybe I should warn Amelia about your advice."

His expression darkened. "Whose side are you on?"

She stuck out her tongue playfully, grabbed the documents, and walked out.

Alexander exhaled sharply. She better not ruin my reputation with Amelia.

Evelyn’s mood lifted instantly.

Back in her office, Bennett followed her inside.

"President, I was the one who investigated Preston Sinclair’s background. There’s additional information not in the file. You can ask me directly."

Evelyn raised a brow. "When did you—"

"The night you returned from Sterling Manor. I hired a private investigator in Pacifica. The Sinclairs guard their secrets well. Asking outright would’ve drawn unwanted attention."

She paused. "They didn’t notice?"

"No."

When Alexander had suddenly tasked Bennett with the investigation, he’d realized too late how close Evelyn and Preston had become. Bennett had been slow to react—unacceptable for an assistant.

Evelyn sat on the sofa and opened the folder.

After Preston came of age, his records were separated from the Sinclair family.

The Sinclairs were a vast, secretive dynasty with deep influence in Montecito’s elite circles. Their reach extended into business, politics, and beyond. They held significant sway in Pacifica’s political scene.

Preston, however, appeared completely detached from them—as if the shared last name was mere coincidence.

He’d built his own empire on Wall Street, becoming a securities genius. No one questioned his origins.

In the spouse column, it simply read: widowed.

Straightforward enough.

The file outlined Preston’s life up to the present. Evelyn glanced at Bennett. "Anything else?"

This was just surface-level information—nothing she cared about.

Bennett hesitated. His breath hitched briefly before he steadied himself.

"President, Preston Sinclair is far more complicated than we thought."

Evelyn arched a brow. Bennett had uncovered something rare.

"I’m certain his records were scrubbed. What we found is only what he allowed us to find. But there’s a rumor in Sinclair circles—Preston was originally the family’s chosen heir."

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.

Now she understood Isaiah Sinclair’s hostility toward his nephew.

Preston’s existence was a threat.

Selecting an heir for such a powerful family wasn’t just about words—it was about power, strategy, survival.

Yet Preston’s calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Isaiah’s ruthless cunning.

After a moment, Evelyn exhaled and handed the folder back.

"Destroy it."