Chapter 468

Preston Sinclair's words hung heavy in the air between them.

The silence stretched, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves in the gentle evening breeze. Evelyn Sinclair stopped walking and turned to face him.

Her piercing gaze held a glacial edge.

When no response came after several heartbeats, Preston smoothly diffused the tension.

A low chuckle escaped his lips. "You heard me correctly, Evelyn. And I won't retract what I said."

His eyes burned with undisguised intensity. The casual tone he adopted couldn't mask the gravity of his declaration. "When I agreed to pose as your new romantic interest to counter Nathan Blackwood's schemes, it wasn't mere politeness."

The corner of his mouth lifted in that perfectly calibrated smile - confident without being arrogant. Evelyn detected a flicker of uncertainty in his expression that mirrored her own confusion.

"Did our arrangement give you the wrong impression? I never intended-"

"I'm well aware you wouldn't manufacture drama," Preston interjected smoothly. "But the timing felt right to confess my genuine feelings."

His gaze locked onto hers with startling sincerity. "Unlike Nathan's heavy-handed tactics, my approach will be respectful. But make no mistake - my interest is very real."

Evelyn studied his open expression, the honesty in his eyes giving her pause. Under the golden glow of streetlamps, their elongated shadows stood motionless on the pavement.

A strange warmth bloomed in her chest at his humility.

Marrying Preston would be strategically advantageous - their social standing and business acumen perfectly matched. He might even be the one man Nathan couldn't intimidate.

Yet Evelyn recoiled at the thought of using relationships as bargaining chips. It would be unfair to Preston, reducing him to a pawn in her personal battles.

After a weighted silence, she schooled her features into polite neutrality. "Mr. Sinclair, I appreciate your candor but-"

"Don't dismiss me so quickly," Preston interrupted gently. "I'm not demanding an answer tonight. I simply want you to know my intentions - that I plan to court you properly."

The starlight reflected in his eyes made Evelyn's breath catch. She quickly regained her composure, offering a practiced smile.

"Let's keep business and personal matters separate, shall we? Our partnership is too valuable to jeopardize over romantic entanglements."

Preston's laughter rang out, rich with amusement. "Of course. Business first."

"Business first," Evelyn echoed in relief. The unspoken agreement lifted the invisible weight between them.

In one evening, she'd gently rebuffed two powerful men. The victory felt hollow.

Back at The Grandeur, Evelyn packed for her return to San Francisco. William Sterling approved their departure - apparently Lucas had been decimating his prized koi collection.

At dawn, little Oliver Sinclair came barreling in wearing dinosaur pajamas, his cherubic face crumpled with distress. Upon learning of Evelyn's departure, the boy stubbornly insisted on accompanying her.

Preston, detained by urgent business, reluctantly entrusted Oliver to Evelyn's care. She suspected his early morning absence wasn't entirely coincidental.

After last night's confession, an awkward morning encounter was best avoided.

Nathan had arranged their flights, determined to travel together. He waited in the lobby, no longer wheelchair-bound but leaning on an ornate cane. His imposing presence turned heads, the air around him crackling with restrained energy.

Theodore "Teddy" Winslow stood nervously nearby, clutching the leash of an exuberant husky.

"Good morning," Evelyn said coolly, offering Nathan the barest nod of acknowledgment.

Nathan rose with visible effort, his voice carefully neutral. "We should leave."

Teddy bobbed his head anxiously. "Good morning, Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Sinclair. This is Mr. Whitmore's dog that requires transport to San Francisco. If it's an inconvenience-"

The husky suddenly cocked its head, fixing Teddy with an almost human expression of betrayal, its pink tongue lolling in comic dismay.