Chapter 49

The shrill alarm of Evelyn Sinclair's phone shattered her peaceful slumber.

She had insisted on returning to her own penthouse last night. The quiet solitude felt infinitely better than waking up to an army of maids fussing over her.

Glancing at her phone, she saw the headlines already blowing up.

"Former Power Couple Rekindling Romance?"

Accompanying the article was a breathtaking shot of Nathan Blackwood dipping her during their dance, his lips brushing against hers under the golden chandelier lights. The photographer had captured it like some Renaissance painting—all dramatic shadows and stolen intimacy.

Evelyn scoffed and swiped the tab away, switching to her emails instead.

Bennett, ever efficient, had already sent her schedule for the day before dawn. She showered quickly, letting the morning finance reports play in the background.

Last night's chaos felt distant now. She refused to let Nathan Blackwood occupy her thoughts any longer.

Her phone buzzed relentlessly. Isabella Montgomery's name flashed across the screen.

"Tell me that photo is doctored," Isabella demanded the second Evelyn picked up. "Because if it's not, I need details. STAT."

Evelyn sighed, explaining the stupid dance in clipped sentences.

Isabella exhaled dramatically. "Thank god. I was about to have an aneurysm." She immediately launched into a colorful tirade about the Blackwoods, then abruptly gasped. "Wait—the article just disappeared!"

Evelyn checked. Sure enough, it had vanished.

"I didn't pay to take it down," Evelyn mused.

Isabella cackled. "Check the group chat. Sebastian Hart just dropped a million dollars on PR to scrub it!"

Evelyn opened their chat to chaos:

[Isabella Montgomery]: SEBASTIAN JUST BLEW A MILLION TO ERASE HIS NON-EXISTENCE FROM LAST NIGHT'S PARTY PHOTOS

[Natalie Beaumont]: If there was a shot of him, I wonder who'd pay MORE to delete it.

[Isabella Montgomery]: DYING. SOMEONE CHECK ON HIM.

Evelyn smirked and typed:

[Evelyn Sinclair]: Next time, transfer the money to me directly. I'll personally issue a statement denying you.

Sebastian's reply was instantaneous:

[Sebastian Hart]: sobs dramatically I'm bleeding from my eyes.

By 7 AM, Bennett arrived with breakfast. "Grabbed this on the way. Hope it's alright."

Evelyn took the bag. "Thanks. Let's go."

"The 8 AM meeting is confirmed. President Sterling said you have full autonomy on the Kingsley Tech deal. No oversight."

Evelyn nodded. Alexander was testing her capabilities, and she wouldn't disappoint. "Did you schedule our preliminary inspection?"

"Kensington Group's team is visiting next week, so I booked ours for tomorrow morning."

"Good."

She flipped through the files in the car. The last thing she wanted was to run into Nathan's people. Even if he wasn't personally involved, she wouldn't risk it.

At Sterling Corp, the receptionist intercepted her with a massive bouquet. "Vice President Sinclair, these just arrived for you."

Evelyn eyed the card:

Dearest Evelyn,

My love for you spans galaxies.

Yours eternally,

Sebastian Hart

She resisted the urge to gag. "Throw these out, please."

Then she paused. "Actually, reject any future deliveries from him. Immediately."

The receptionist looked mournfully at the doomed flowers. "Yes, ma'am."

The conference room was packed by 8 AM sharp. Evelyn took her seat at the head of the table.

"Our collaboration with Kingsley Tech is underway. Bennett will distribute the project team assignments shortly."

Everyone leaned forward eagerly. This venture into AI technology was career-making.

After the meeting, Olivia Kensington cornered her.

"Vice President Sinclair, why wasn't I assigned to the core team?"

Evelyn didn't glance up from her tablet. "If I entertained every employee who asked that, I'd need a stadium. Would you like me to start charging for the privilege?"