Chapter 121

#GraceGreen#: That's the new designer, isn't she? Never imagined she'd stoop so low.

Guess masterpieces don't reveal the artist's true colors. I'm officially boycotting Viana Jewelry now.

A digital mob swarmed Vivian's social media accounts, flooding her mentions with venomous comments and creating trending hashtags to shame her.

#ZacharyOnion#: No excuses left. The evidence is overwhelming - just delete your accounts already.

#ScarlettFox#: You dare call yourself a designer? You're an embarrassment to the craft!

#VeronicaStyles#: The irony! A "designer" who created Gothic-inspired pieces yet never studied under D. Rumor has it she produced those "masterpieces" after just one month of training. Suspicious much? Those works clearly aren't hers.

At the Vanderbilt estate...

The online assault left Vivian trembling, her phone burning like hot coal in her hands. She felt her sanity fraying at the edges.

Laura rushed to her daughter's side, snatching the device to scan the hateful comments. "How did this happen? Didn't you verify everything first?"

"That bitch Penelope actually turned her thugs against me!" Vivian gnawed at her thumbnail until it threatened to split. "Damn Evelyn Vanderbilt! She's the one who should be suffering this humiliation! Last night's spotlight was meant for her!"

'The Santiagos are pressuring the Vanderbilts now. I had to go public before Father suspected me. Now Penelope's flipped the script completely!'

'This is all Evelyn's fault. If she didn't have Nathan protecting her, would Penelope have targeted me instead?'

Laura's eyes gleamed with cold calculation. "If that little witch wants war, we'll play our ace."

Vivian blinked. "What ace?"

"Pin everything on Evelyn," Laura smirked. "Since she set you up to take the fall, let's return the favor tenfold."

"Remember how Ms. Santiago ended up in that lounge last night? Evelyn orchestrated everything. Once we expose her, Ms. Santiago will make her life hell."

'That scheming bitch thinks she can watch my daughter and Ms. Santiago destroy each other while she walks away unscathed? Not happening.'

Evening fell...

Nathan arrived on the sixteenth floor where only Evelyn's office light still glowed.

He found her slumped over her desk, pencil still clutched in limp fingers, half-finished sketches scattered beneath her cheek.

Gently removing the pencil, Nathan studied her peaceful expression.

'Only in sleep does she look this innocent.'

Scooping her up bridal-style, Evelyn instinctively nuzzled against his chest without waking.

"You really can sleep through anything," Nathan murmured, equal parts amused and exasperated.

Back at the Goldmann mansion...

Nathan carried Evelyn through the doorway where three wide-eyed children sat with Mr. Goldmann Sr. at dinner.

Caleb sprang up to follow, but the elder Goldmann caught his collar. "Where do you think you're going, young man?"

"To see Mommy and Daddy!" Caleb protested.

"You'd be a third wheel," Mr. Goldmann Sr. chuckled. "Your parents need alone time. How else will your father win her back?"

Daisy nodded sagely. "Mommy still hasn't forgiven Daddy yet."