Chapter 458

Theodore "Teddy" Winslow beamed brightly, spinning his web of lies effortlessly. Evelyn Sinclair glanced at Nathan Blackwood, who lifted the cotton candy in his hand. His gaze held a warmth that seemed to reach her soul.

"Do you... like it?" Nathan asked softly. Evelyn blinked in surprise. Cotton candy? Since when did the sophisticated Nathan Blackwood indulge in such childish treats? Before she could respond, little Oliver Sinclair came bounding over excitedly.

"I want it! I want it!" The crowd froze as the boy snatched the cotton candy and took an enthusiastic bite. "Oww! It's too sweet!" Oliver clutched his cheek dramatically before burying his face in Evelyn's skirt. "Muse, my tooth hurts!"

Nathan forced himself to maintain composure, though irritation flickered in his eyes. "You should be more careful," he said through gritted teeth. He couldn't afford to alienate anyone close to Evelyn now.

Evelyn smoothed Oliver's golden curls knowingly. She saw through Nathan's act but chose not to call him out. "Then don't eat it, sweetheart." Oliver nodded vigorously. "Only babies eat candy anyway. Meanie Nathan is being silly."

"Muse, I'll make you cotton candy from real gold! Then you can keep it forever!" Oliver declared proudly. At least he wasn't as cheap as that horrible Nathan Blackwood. Evelyn nearly choked. "No, darling, I don't need that." Raising this little prince would bankrupt an ordinary person.

As Evelyn turned to fetch Oliver's water bottle, Nathan studied the boy's face with amusement. "You like Evelyn very much, don't you?" "Yeah! So what?" Oliver crossed his arms like a miniature adult. Nathan's smile turned sly. "Congratulations then. When your father marries her, you'll officially be her son."

Oliver's face contorted in horror. "WHAT?!" His tiny hands balled into fists. Nathan raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know? Preston's courting her." Just then, Preston Sinclair approached holding another colorful cloud of spun sugar.

Evelyn turned and stared in bewilderment. Why was everyone obsessed with cotton candy today? Preston smiled warmly at her while giving his son a pointed look. "Ms. Sinclair, I saw Oliver ruined Mr. Blackwood's gift. Please accept this as replacement." He offered the treat to Evelyn.

Nathan's eyes narrowed slightly but he remained composed. Meanwhile, Oliver snatched the cotton candy from his father's hand, glaring daggers. "Daddy! Muse doesn't like cotton candy!" His cheeks flushed crimson with outrage.

The clever boy put two and two together. Was Nathan telling the truth? Was Daddy really trying to steal his Muse? Unacceptable! She belonged to him alone! Not even Daddy could have her!

With sudden inspiration, Oliver thrust the candy at Nathan. "Here. You take it." Better the enemy he knew than the one he didn't. At least he was certain Evelyn didn't care for Nathan.

Preston's smile never wavered, though confusion flickered in his eyes as he met his son's furious gaze. Oliver pouted. First he had to compete with Nathan, and now his own father? When he inherited the Sinclair empire, he'd claim his Muse properly. Why couldn't Daddy understand she was his?