Chapter 162

Madam Victoria flushed crimson with embarrassment, her fingers tightening around her purse as she nearly lashed out at Evelyn on the spot.

Meanwhile, Lydia's stomach twisted into knots at the suggestion. Yet she forced a saccharine smile, desperate to ingratiate herself with Nathan. "Evelyn... I'm truly inexperienced. I hope you and your fiancé won't reject me when the time comes."

If Vivian was the picture of hypocrisy, Lydia embodied pure seduction in silk gloves.

Evelyn's lips curved into a feline smile. "I'll be very... thorough."

Lydia's smile froze.

Nathan barely suppressed a chuckle watching his feisty fiancée verbally spar with her cousin. There was something irresistibly charming about his little wildcat sharpening her claws.

As planned, Lydia arrived at Luxe Group headquarters. Her pulse quickened at the sight of the gleaming corporate tower buzzing with activity.

She'd never imagined Nathan's empire would be this vast. The rumors about Bassburgh's most powerful tycoon hadn't been exaggerated.

'Just wait,' she thought, adjusting her blouse. 'Once I'm inside, it's only a matter of time before Mr. Goldmann notices me.'

Evelyn led her to the sixteenth floor. Lydia's eyes darted around the open-plan office. "Evelyn, is your fiancé here today?"

"Not presently." Evelyn arched a brow. "Eager to meet him already?"

Lydia adopted a wounded expression. "No! Please don't misunderstand—"

Evelyn merely smiled.

Gregory emerged from his office, eyeing the newcomer trailing Evelyn. "Who's this?"

"My cousin. Our new intern."

With a wave, Evelyn summoned a female staffer. "Take her to Director Xavier for onboarding."

"Of course, Ms. Vanderbilt." The assistant turned to Lydia. "Right this way, miss."

As Lydia disappeared down the hall, Gregory blinked. "You assigned her to inventory?"

"Should I have her shadow the board instead?" Evelyn's eyes glinted. "If she wants this internship, she'll learn the meaning of hard work."

Gregory scratched his head as Evelyn swept into her office. Something felt deliberately... punitive about this arrangement.

In the executive suite...

Oliver reported the sixteenth floor developments to Nathan, who suddenly burst into laughter mid-sip of coffee.

"Sir...?" Oliver hesitated. 'Did Mr. Goldmann and Ms. Vanderbilt finally...?'

"Problem?" Nathan shot him an amused glance.

"You seem... cheerful today."

Cheerful?

Nathan didn't deny it.

His little wildcat had actually sentenced her scheming cousin to warehouse duty. Clearly, she'd overheard last night's conversation with Lydia.

His phone vibrated—Theodore Goldmann calling.

Meanwhile, on sixteen...

Soul Jewelry Studio's official launch had triggered an avalanche of custom orders. With Zara as the featured designer and limited-time promotional pricing, Evelyn's appointment book overflowed with twenty clients before noon.

Evelyn emerged from a consultation, exchanging pleasantries as she escorted the client to the elevator.

When she returned to her office, she found Nathan lounging in her chair, his tailored suit stretching across broad shoulders as he spun a pen between his fingers.

She paused mid-step. "How industrious of Mr. Goldmann to conduct his business in my office."

"I hear you've condemned your cousin to the stockroom?" His lips twitched.