Chapter 24
The morning sun cast golden rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Crestwood Manor, illuminating Evelyn Sinclair as she stood before the mirror, adjusting the emerald pendant around her neck—a gift from her late mother. The weight of it was familiar, grounding her amidst the storm of emotions swirling within.
A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Miss Sinclair?” Tristan Gallagher’s voice carried through the door. “Your father requests your presence in the study.”
Evelyn exhaled slowly, smoothing the silk of her dress. “Tell him I’ll be there shortly.”
The moment she stepped into the study, the air thickened with tension. Reginald Whitmore sat behind his mahogany desk, his expression unreadable. Nathan and Sebastian Whitmore flanked him, their postures rigid.
“Evelyn,” her father began, his voice low. “We’ve received word from Blackwood Enterprises.”
Her pulse quickened. Sebastian Blackwood. The name alone sent a shiver down her spine.
Nathan handed her a document. “They’re pushing forward with the Silverpine Valley project—without us.”
Evelyn’s fingers tightened around the paper. “That was our deal. He can’t just—”
“He already has,” Sebastian Whitmore cut in, his tone sharp. “And he’s using Vanessa Delacroix to do it.”
The mention of Vanessa sent a fresh wave of frustration through her. The woman had always been a thorn in her side, ever since their days at Verona Arts Academy.
Evelyn lifted her chin. “Then we fight back.”
Reginald’s gaze darkened. “Careful, Evelyn. This isn’t just business anymore. Sebastian Blackwood plays to win, and he doesn’t care who gets hurt in the process.”
A smirk tugged at her lips. “Neither do I.”
Meanwhile, across the city, Sebastian Blackwood stood at the edge of his penthouse balcony, the skyline of Faircrest sprawling before him. The wind tousled his dark hair as he took a slow drag from his cigarette.
Maxwell Reeves approached, clearing his throat. “Sir, the contracts have been signed. The Delacroix family has guaranteed their support.”
Sebastian exhaled a plume of smoke. “Good.”
“But…” Maxwell hesitated. “The Whitmores won’t take this lightly.”
A cold smile curved Sebastian’s lips. “Let them try.”
His phone buzzed. A message from Vanessa lit up the screen:
“Dinner tonight? I have news.”
Sebastian’s grip tightened on the railing. He knew what she wanted—another step closer to their engagement, another move in her game.
But games were his specialty.
And Evelyn Sinclair had just become his most intriguing opponent.
The morning sun cast golden rays through the windows as Zachary Blackwood adjusted his tie in the mirror. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he looked every inch the formidable CEO of Blackwood Enterprises. Today, he was determined to meet Evelyn Sinclair at the Whitmore Grand Hotel—no matter what it took.
The moment he stepped into the lobby, his sharp eyes swept over the polished marble floors and gleaming chandeliers. Last year, he had dismissed this place as outdated and in desperate need of renovation. Now, it rivaled the finest five-star hotels.
Impressive. The new general manager clearly knows what she’s doing.
Nathaniel Graves approached the front desk, his voice firm. “This is Mr. Blackwood, CEO of Blackwood Enterprises. Inform Ms. Sinclair that he wishes to speak with her.”
After several frustrating exchanges, they were finally connected to Charlotte Sinclair, Evelyn’s executive secretary.
“I’m afraid Ms. Sinclair is unavailable without a prior appointment,” Charlotte replied smoothly, her tone polite but unyielding.
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. “You’re telling me the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises needs an appointment?”
Charlotte arched a brow. “Does the title exempt him from basic protocol?”
Nathaniel’s face flushed with indignation, but Zachary stepped forward before he could retort. “Fine. Schedule an appointment. When is she available?”
Charlotte tapped at her tablet, feigning thought. “Ms. Sinclair’s schedule is quite full. Perhaps you could try again tomorrow?”
Nathaniel nearly growled in frustration, but Zachary placed a restraining hand on his arm. “We’ll be back.”
Back in the car, Nathaniel slammed his palm against the steering wheel. “This is ridiculous! Does Evelyn Sinclair have any idea who she’s dealing with?”
Zachary exhaled sharply, loosening his tie. “We’ll return tomorrow. And the day after if necessary. Gardner Holdings won’t survive much longer without intervention.”
The next two days yielded the same result—no meeting.
Zachary Blackwood, one of the most influential young tycoons in the country, was being stonewalled. Normally, his name alone commanded immediate respect. But Evelyn Sinclair seemed utterly unfazed by his reputation.
Damn her.
A light drizzle painted the city in silver as Evelyn strode into the hotel, her heels clicking confidently against the marble. She wore a sleek black suit dress, her golden rose earrings catching the light—a subtle yet striking statement.
Whispers followed her through the lobby.
“Ms. Sinclair looks absolutely divine today.”
“Honestly, she could be a goddess walking among us.”
Since taking over, Evelyn had transformed the hotel’s atmosphere. No more slacking, no more incompetence. Every department operated with precision, and morale had skyrocketed.
She had dealt with the internal chaos first—now, she was ready to face the outside world.
Her phone buzzed. Nathan Whitmore’s voice came through. “Blackwood Enterprises just funneled a massive sum into Gardner Holdings. It’ll keep them afloat for now, but their reputation is beyond repair.”
Evelyn smirked, kicking off her heels to massage her aching feet. “Of course. Zachary would never abandon his precious fiancée. Even after being betrayed, he still rushes to her rescue. How touching.”
Nathan chuckled. “Money won’t fix their problems. It’s just delaying the inevitable.”
“Exactly. And Zachary knows it. He’s just buying time.”
There was a pause before Nathan added, teasingly, “You know, if the two of you had ever gotten along, you could’ve ruled this city together.”
Evelyn scoffed. “Some things just aren’t meant to be.”
The game was far from over. And Evelyn Sinclair was just getting started.
