Chapter 158

Madam Victoria's sharp gaze pierced through the tense air. "Mr. Goldmann, what exactly is your relationship with Zoe?"

Nathan's fingers tightened around his wine glass. "Zoe is my fiancée." His deep voice carried finality. "Is there a problem?"

'Fiancée?!' Madam Victoria's manicured nails dug into the tablecloth. 'That conniving little gold-digger actually landed the Goldmann heir!'

"Zoe," she forced a smile, "why haven't you informed your family about your engagement?"

Evelyn's lips curled in amusement. "I prefer keeping my personal life private."

'If Nathan weren't the Goldmann heir,' Madam Victoria seethed internally, 'this ungrateful wretch wouldn't dare speak to me like this!'

Nathan's sudden declaration made Evelyn choke on her wine. "When are you marrying me, darling?"

Evelyn shot him a warning glare. 'Are you trying to get yourself killed? This was supposed to be temporary!'

"Zoe," Madam Victoria interjected sweetly, "you're not getting any younger. With Mr. Goldmann's devotion, why delay?"

'If this marriage happens,' she calculated, 'my standing among Cornelia's elite would skyrocket overnight.'

"My marital plans," Evelyn said icily, "are none of your concern."

Madam Victoria's smile turned brittle. "I'm still your grandmother, child. Such disrespect—"

"Mother," Richard interrupted, "Zoe is an adult. Her decisions are her own."

The quiet support stunned Evelyn. Her father hadn't defended her in over a decade.

Nathan's warm hand covered her clenched fist beneath the table. His touch startled her.

"Zoe's suffered enough in this house," Nathan stated coldly. "Her future is hers to decide."

The declaration left Madam Victoria and Laura seething while Richard looked ashamed.

Dinner progressed in strained silence. Nathan ignored everyone except Evelyn, filling her plate with meticulous care.

Richard observed them with quiet relief. After years of believing Laura and Vivian's lies about his daughter, seeing Nathan's genuine care eased his conscience.

"Father," Evelyn broke the silence, "where's Vivian tonight?"

The rare term of endearment startled Richard. Though pleased, his expression darkened at Vivian's mention. "She's been leaving early and returning late these days. I've stopped keeping track."

Laura's knuckles turned white around her fork.

'Of course he's given up on Vivian,' she thought bitterly. 'If only I could reveal that pregnancy...'

The unspoken tension thickened as dessert arrived, each participant lost in their private calculations while maintaining perfect social masks.