Chapter 14

Laura might be furious with Evelyn, but she had bottled up all her rage. The moment she returned home, she went straight to Richard and complained about Evelyn.

Richard set down his newspaper, clearly taken aback. "Zoe is back in Cornelia?"

"Yes, she’s now Zara, a world-famous jewelry designer. I heard Vivian say she’s so arrogant she doesn’t even respect Mr. Goldmann, let alone Vivian and me."

Since Richard knew his daughter Vivian was involved with Mr. Goldmann, he had high expectations for her and valued her immensely.

Naturally, he couldn’t stand by when he learned Evelyn had disrespected Mr. Goldmann. After all, Richard cared about both reputation and status—and offending the Goldmanns was out of the question. How could he just sit back and watch as his perfect future son-in-law slipped away?

Richard folded the newspaper and placed it aside. "That girl—I haven’t seen her in six years, and she’s already provoking Mr. Goldmann?"

Laura sat beside him, clutching his arm with feigned distress. "Exactly! I went to her company today to warn her out of kindness, but she—she insulted me!"

"Darling, Zoe used to listen to you the most. We can’t let her continue acting so recklessly. Who knows when Vivian might suffer Mr. Goldmann’s wrath because of her? By then, it’ll be too late to fix."

Richard’s expression darkened. "I’ll make sure that girl comes home tomorrow."

Laura smirked inwardly.

‘I might not be able to shut your mouth, you little wretch, but let’s see if you dare defy your own father.’

At dinner, Evelyn noticed Daisy’s slightly swollen cheek and frowned. "Daisy, what happened to your face?"

"Mommy, we had lunch with Godmother today and ran into Vivian’s mom. That horrible woman suddenly asked if we were your kids—then she hit me!"

Evelyn’s face turned stormy in an instant, her grip tightening around her spoon. If not for fear of frightening the triplets, she would’ve stormed out with a knife right then.

‘Damn you, Laura! So that’s why she came to my office earlier.’

‘But wait—how does Laura know I have children? And how is she so sure they’re mine?’

Daisy reached out, placing her small hand over Evelyn’s. "Don’t be mad, Mommy. It doesn’t hurt much. I’m just sad because other kids have their daddies to protect them… but I don’t."

Evelyn’s heart clenched, her gaze dimming. She could give her children the best life possible—but she couldn’t give them a father’s love.

Guilt gnawed at her. She didn’t even know how to explain their father to them.

After all, she knew nothing about the man herself.

Liam looked up earnestly. "Mommy, why did Daddy leave us?"

Caleb nodded. "Yeah, why doesn’t Daddy want us?"

Before Evelyn could respond, Daisy burst into dramatic tears. "Waaah! Daddy must’ve found another woman! That’s why he left Mommy and us! Waaah!"

Caleb and Liam exchanged glances.

‘Daisy’s acting skills are next-level.’

"There’s no such thing, Daisy. Your daddy didn’t abandon you." Evelyn forced a smile, gently wiping her daughter’s tears.

Daisy sniffled, eyes red. "Really?"

Evelyn swallowed hard. "Of course. Why would he abandon you?"

"Then why have you never told us about Daddy? Where is he?"

Daisy was ready to bombard her with more questions, but just then, Evelyn’s phone rang—Sophia’s name flashing on the screen.

Saved by the call, Evelyn excused herself and stepped onto the balcony. "I’m eating. What’s wrong?"

But instead of Sophia’s voice, a stranger spoke. "Are you Ms. Hill’s relative? This is the traffic police department—"

Evelyn rushed to the station and found Sophia slumped in a chair, looking utterly pitiful.

She exhaled sharply. "Sophia, what did you do?"

"I—I accidentally hit someone’s car. And it’s… it’s someone I can’t afford to offend."

Sophia had clearly messed with the wrong person. If her father found out, she’d be skinned alive.

Evelyn frowned. "Whose car was it?"

Sophia glanced nervously toward the office just as a traffic officer stepped out—followed by two men.

One of them was Nathan Goldmann.

Evelyn’s expression froze. She turned to Sophia, teeth gritted. "You really know how to pick your targets. Why didn’t you just finish him off in the accident?"

Sophia pouted. "I swear it was an accident! I was in a hurry—how was I supposed to know—?"

She’d nearly fainted when she realized she’d rear-ended a Rolls-Royce. And when she saw who stepped out, she’d wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Nathan’s gaze darkened when he spotted Evelyn.

Especially after what Vivian had told him last night.

He strode toward them, his voice icy. "So you’re her guarantor?"

Evelyn forced a polite smile. "Yes. This was my friend’s mistake. Let’s handle this properly—name your price for compensation."

Nathan’s expression remained unreadable. "Compensation isn’t necessary. The car’s being scrapped anyway."

‘Scrapped?’

Evelyn shot Sophia a look. "Was it that bad?"

Sophia shook her head. "Just a dent!"

Oliver, standing nearby, smirked. "Miss Vanderbilt, Mr. Goldmann never repairs his cars. Even a scratch means it’s written off."

"So you expect my friend to buy a brand-new car?" Evelyn’s tone turned sharp.

Oliver shrugged. "That depends on your attitude right now."

Evelyn was about to snap back when Sophia tugged her sleeve frantically. There was no way she could afford a new car.

Evelyn knew Nathan wasn’t short on money—this was purely retaliation against her.

"Miss Vanderbilt," Nathan said coolly, "does my offer displease you?"

His piercing stare unnerved her. He hadn’t planned to demand compensation—but after Vivian’s accusations last night, seeing Evelyn here stirred something in him.

‘No woman has ever affected me like this. And yet, because of two children and now her, I’m losing control?’

‘Did she really do what Vivian claimed six years ago?’

‘Then let’s see what she’ll do for her so-called friend today.’