Chapter 982

Silence stretched between them.

Preston Sinclair suddenly looked up, his usual warm smile playing on his lips.

"I heard Nathan sent you flowers."

Evelyn's grip on her cup tightened slightly. He knew about that?

She wondered if he had someone watching her every move.

Blinking, she replied, "He had Harrison deliver them. I gave them to Bennett."

It was the easiest way to avoid unnecessary drama.

Preston chuckled, understanding her perfectly. "Won't Bennett have a headache?"

Evelyn shrugged helplessly.

She wasn't about to let Nathan's petty gestures ruin her peace.

Things were finally settling down between them all. Preston paused, his gaze softening as he studied her.

"Don't worry. I'll talk to him myself. There's no reason for you to shield me."

Ever since they'd gotten together, Evelyn had been the one handling Nathan.

To her, it was just something she did—no big deal.

But Preston saw it differently.

This was exactly what Nathan wanted.

If Preston kept hiding behind Evelyn, Nathan would only grow more dismissive. Preston knew Nathan was waiting for a direct confrontation.

Evelyn, however, didn’t agree.

"What’s there to say to him? Who I choose to be with is none of his business."

She’d made that clear a hundred times.

Preston smirked. "I need to go rub it in his face. Maybe it’ll finally make him explode."

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

She never took Preston for the petty type.

They laughed and talked for a while longer, with Bennett even ordering dinner for them. It was his first time witnessing a couple who practically dated in the office. Unbelievable.

Little Oliver, having fallen asleep in the library, woke up cranky and called Preston to pick him up.

Preston had no choice but to oblige.

Grabbing his jacket, he turned back to Evelyn with effortless elegance. "Coming with me?"

Evelyn shook her head. "Dad’s cooking tonight. I’m heading back to Sterling Manor."

Disappointment flickered across Preston’s face. "I won’t see you for hours. Just thinking about it hurts."

"Then why don’t you come along?" she teased.

Preston considered it seriously. "Can I?"

Evelyn’s smile faltered. She’d been joking, but he wasn’t.

Bringing Preston home would imply marriage—something she wasn’t ready to discuss.

Seeing her hesitation, Preston laughed.

"Not today. Showing up empty-handed would get me kicked out."

She exhaled in relief. "Next time, then. Bye!"

Without waiting for his response, she waved him off.

Evelyn never hid her emotions.

With her blunt personality, how much effort had the Sterlings put into molding her for this role?

Preston smiled to himself and left.

But instead of heading to the library, his car took the opposite direction.

Blackwood Industries.

Though it was nearly quitting time, someone like Nathan never left on schedule.

Time was money.

When Harrison spotted Preston, his shock was palpable.

"Harrison, right? Could you check if Mr. Blackwood is available?"

Harrison knew Nathan was in a video conference—one he hated being interrupted during.

But Preston wasn’t just anyone.

Forget his wealth—even if Nathan tried, securing a partnership with Preston was nearly impossible.

And now, Preston was Evelyn’s boyfriend.