Chapter 196

Nathan didn't spare Vivian a single glance.

His piercing gaze locked onto two figures emerging from the crowd. Not just him - Lillian and Mrs. Boucher's attention was equally captured.

"Mr. Goldmann? What brings him here?"

"Are the Goldmanns and Laurents so close that he'd attend their banquet?"

"Could that woman beside him be his partner?"

Evelyn walked arm-in-arm with Nathan, her dark emerald gown shimmering under the chandeliers. The daring shoulder-baring design and thigh-high slit accentuated her graceful movements.

Her long hair was elegantly braided into a fishtail, framing her striking features that radiated both icy detachment and breathtaking beauty. Beside Nathan's commanding presence, they looked like royalty gracing the event.

"Zoe!" Sophia's face lit up when she spotted Evelyn. She rushed forward, grabbing her friend's arm excitedly. "You made it!"

Seeing Vivian tremble with barely concealed rage, Sophia smirked in satisfaction.

The crowd buzzed with confusion.

But Lillian's reaction stood out most. Her wine glass nearly slipped from her fingers as she stared at Evelyn with undisguised shock.

Nathan noticed Louis frowning at his mother's strange behavior.

Nathan guided Evelyn forward with a polite nod. "Mrs. Laurent."

Lillian barely managed to compose herself, her knuckles white around her glass.

Mrs. Boucher, observing Lillian's reaction, realized it wasn't Nathan but his companion causing the disturbance.

Evelyn studied Lillian curiously. 'So this is my mother's sister.'

Mrs. Boucher broke the tense silence. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit, Mr. Goldmann?"

Her tone dripped with disapproval.

Nathan ignored her implied challenge. "I understood this banquet was to announce the de Armas heir. Yet there seems to be some... confusion about the true identity. Surely Mrs. Laurent has some clarity to offer?"

His calm words sent ripples through the crowd.

"Is Mr. Goldmann suggesting there's an imposter?"

"Could the woman we've been introduced to be fake?"

"This scandal keeps getting juicier!"

The whispers grew louder.

Sophia stood taller, vindicated. "I told you Vivian couldn't be the real de Armas heir!"

Vivian's face drained of color. Her fists clenched so tightly her nails drew blood from her palms.

"You... you can't do this to me, Nathan," she stammered, playing the victim. "After six years by your side, is this how you repay me?"

She deliberately framed it as if Evelyn had stolen Nathan from her, knowing the crowd would eat up the drama.

Nathan's expression darkened. "How you inserted yourself into my life six years ago mirrors how you're pretending to be the de Armas heir now."

"That's not—" Vivian turned desperately to Lillian. "Aunt Lillian, you must believe me! You saw the DNA results yourself!"