Chapter 113

Evelyn slipped into the elegant evening gown and emerged from the restroom, joining Nathan at the banquet entrance.

The moment they stepped into the glittering hall together, all eyes turned toward them. Nathan remained as composed as ever, his expression unreadable, while Evelyn avoided his gaze entirely after what had transpired earlier.

'I did nothing wrong. Ugh, can I just erase that memory completely?'

"Zoe." Gregory approached, concern etched across his features. "How's your injury?"

"It's nothing serious. Just a minor scratch—already taken care of." Evelyn offered a reassuring smile.

Nathan's arm slid possessively around her waist as he gave Gregory a faint, knowing smirk. "No need to worry, Mr. Fannon. I'll be looking after her now."

Across the room, Vivian tightened her grip on her wine glass until her knuckles turned white.

'All the attention is on Evelyn and Nathan.'

She ground her teeth as whispers of admiration floated around her.

'That should be me standing beside him. Evelyn shouldn't have come back. Better yet—she shouldn’t exist at all.'

A cold glint flashed in her eyes before she turned and melted into the crowd.

Evelyn noticed Vivian's abrupt departure and immediately tensed. She pushed Nathan’s hand away. "I need to use the restroom."

"Should I accompany you?" Nathan arched a brow.

Evelyn shot him a look that screamed 'pervert' before striding off.

Nathan chuckled under his breath.

Meanwhile, Vivian found Penelope in the corridor, speaking heatedly into her phone. She approached with a calculated smile. "Ms. Santiago."

Penelope, still fuming from her earlier humiliation, scowled. "What do you want? Here to mock me?"

"Quite the opposite. I'm here to help you."

"Help me?" Penelope scoffed. "Aren’t you her sister? Why would you?"

Vivian bit her lip, feigning distress. "We’re only half-sisters. Truthfully, I despise her just as much as you do."

Penelope narrowed her eyes. "What’s your plan?"

'If it weren’t for Mr. Goldmann, I wouldn’t have been humiliated like this. That woman—how dare she!'

"Without Nathan’s protection, what does she have left? If her reputation is ruined, do you think he’d still want her?" Vivian’s lips curled into a venomous smile.

Penelope hesitated, then leaned in. "What do you propose?"

Vivian’s voice dropped to a whisper. "If we work together tonight, she won’t escape unscathed. Imagine the headlines tomorrow."

Hidden behind a pillar, Evelyn listened, her expression darkening.

'I knew Vivian wouldn’t give up. Teaming up with Penelope? Predictable.'

She pulled out her phone and sent a quick message.

'Looks like there’s going to be a show tonight.'

Back in the banquet hall, Vivian spotted Evelyn alone—Nathan nowhere in sight.

'Perfect. Without him, this will be easy.'

Her phone buzzed—a text from Penelope.

Just then, a bartender approached Evelyn with a tray. After a brief exchange, Evelyn set down her glass and followed him out.

Vivian smirked.

'Everything is falling into place.'