Chapter 10

Vivian had heard the rumors—Evelyn and Natalie had gone to the raw material warehouse, and Director Chester had been summoned. Panic surged through her, and she rushed over, terrified that her secrets might be exposed.

She forced a calm expression, feigning ignorance. "What's going on? Evelyn, why are you here?"

Damn it. This witch came back just to ruin everything, didn’t she? She even dug into the warehouse!

I did authorize that batch of adulterated rough diamonds to cut costs, but I never expected her to uncover it the moment she returned!

Evelyn’s gaze was icy. "Care to explain these fake ores?"

Vivian clenched her fists but kept her voice steady. "I—I don’t know anything about gemstones. The procurement goes through me, but I assumed they were the same quality as before."

Her ignorance had always been her shield.

Natalie smirked. "How generous of Father to hand the company to someone who can’t even tell real from fake. Does he want Viana Jewelry to collapse?"

"I swear, I had no idea!" Vivian’s desperation leaked into her voice as she turned to Nathan. "Nathan, you have to believe me."

Evelyn, you conniving little—I’ll make sure you regret this.

Nathan wasn’t entirely convinced, but Vivian had been by his side for years. She might not know jewelry, but she had always been eager to learn. She didn’t seem like a liar.

His cold stare shifted to Director Chester. "You’re fired."

Chester paled but didn’t argue. He knew better than to cross Nathan.

Vivian bit her lip in relief. At least Nathan still trusted her.

Nathan turned to Evelyn. "From now on, you’re in charge of raw material procurement."

Then he walked away without another word.

As Evelyn headed back to her office, Vivian caught up and grabbed her arm. "You did this on purpose, didn’t you?"

Evelyn raised a brow, amused. "Did what on purpose?"

"You—You led Nathan to the warehouse! Did you think he’d believe you over me?" Vivian’s voice dripped with venom. "You saw it yourself. He trusts me. Stop wasting your time."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Oh, so you think I orchestrated this to turn him against you? That I care that much about your little romance?"

She scoffed. "He followed me on his own. Blame him, not me."

"I don’t believe a word you say."

"Then why bother confronting me?" Evelyn rolled her eyes. "And don’t think this is over. If it weren’t for my mother founding Viana, I’d have exposed you already."

Nathan’s influence was vast, but Evelyn wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

As she turned to leave, Vivian grabbed her again. "Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re back. That video of yours—"

Evelyn had had enough. In one swift motion, she snatched Vivian’s phone.

"Give it back!" Vivian lunged, but Evelyn dodged.

Evelyn smirked at Vivian’s panic. "You love holding that video over my head, don’t you?"

She walked to the corridor window, held the phone over the ledge—and let go.

Vivian watched in horror as her phone plummeted nineteen floors, shattering on impact.

"You—!"

"Now how will you threaten me?" Evelyn didn’t even glance back as she strode away.

Vivian trembled with rage—but also relief.

Good. Now Nathan will never find out the truth about that night.

I can’t wait any longer. Tonight, I’ll make sure Nathan finally sees me as his woman.

Dusk fell.

In the Goldmann mansion’s study—

"Sir, I’ve confirmed it," Oliver’s voice came through the phone. "Evelyn Vanderbilt is Richard’s daughter with his late wife. She’s the eldest Vanderbilt heir. Her mother founded Viana Jewelry, but after her death, Richard took full control. The reason she left six years ago is still unclear."

Nathan flipped through the documents in his hands, his expression darkening.

Is she targeting Vivian because she resents losing the company? But if she’s a Vanderbilt, why didn’t Vivian recognize her?

It was late. Nathan set the files aside and returned to his room—only to find someone in his bed.

The lights flicked on, revealing Vivian in sheer lingerie, sitting up with a coy smile.

His gaze turned glacial. "What are you doing here?"

She was allowed in the mansion—but never his bedroom.

Vivian had hoped her bold move would entice him, but his reaction was pure disdain.

She bit her lip. "Nathan… since that night six years ago, you’ve kept me at arm’s length. Did I do something wrong?"

Her voice was soft, pleading—the perfect picture of vulnerability.

He’s a man. He can’t resist this.

When he didn’t respond, she slid off the bed and wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her face up—

But the moment her lips neared his, Evelyn’s sharp, defiant eyes flashed in his mind.

He shoved Vivian away, disgust clear in his eyes.

"Nathan!" She stumbled back, hurt and confused. "Do you… hate me?"

Why? Why could he take Evelyn that night but push me away now?

"What happened six years ago was a mistake," he said coldly. "I let you stay by my side. I’ll compensate you however you want. But this won’t happen again."

He turned to leave—then paused. "Evelyn is a Vanderbilt, isn’t she?"

Vivian stiffened.

Why is he bringing her up? Does he know?

"She’s… my sister."

"Then why didn’t you recognize her at the company? Why did you slap her?"

Nathan had assumed Evelyn provoked her. But after digging into her past, he’d learned the truth—Viana Jewelry was her mother’s legacy, and Richard had stolen it.

Vivian’s nails dug into her palms, but her face remained innocent. "We’ve had… conflicts. She resented my mother and me from the moment we joined the Vanderbilts."

Her eyes welled with tears. "She’s the one who drugged me that night six years ago. Father was furious and exiled her because of it."

Nathan’s jaw tightened.

She was drugged too? Did Evelyn really do that?

Given Evelyn’s arrogance, it wasn’t impossible.

But the thought unsettled him.

"Get some rest," he said curtly and left.

The moment the door closed, Vivian’s face twisted with hatred.

Evelyn. Evelyn. She’s a threat I can’t ignore.

I won’t let her stay at Viana. I’ll destroy her before she destroys me.