Chapter 211

"Madam Victoria has always been keeping a close watch on this."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly. "If the Vanderbilts are truly planning to lay their hands on Viana Jewelry, then I must attend this dinner."

"Zoe, do you want me to accompany you? Who knows what they might pull." Gregory's voice was laced with concern.

Evelyn hesitated for a fleeting moment.

'Gregory's right. They wouldn't invite me without an agenda. I need to be prepared.'

Stepping into the upscale restaurant, Evelyn had tied her long hair into a sleek high ponytail. She wore a chic black-and-white color-blocked dress with a daring slit, paired with shimmering gold sequin earrings.

Her entrance turned heads, whispers trailing behind her like a shadow.

A hostess at the reception desk, struck by her commanding presence, approached with a practiced smile. "Miss, do you have a reservation? Private room or booth?"

"Private Room 203."

"Right this way." The hostess led her upstairs.

At the door of the private room, the hostess knocked before opening it. Inside, seated beside Madam Victoria and Lydia, were two unfamiliar middle-aged women and a man Evelyn had never met.

Madam Victoria's smile was immediate. "You're here, Zoe. This is your aunt. It's been years since you last saw her."

She gestured to the elegantly dressed woman beside her.

Yvette Warren was Madam Victoria's eldest daughter-in-law and Lydia's mother. Married to York Vanderbilt, the eldest son of the Vanderbilt family, she had borne both a son and a daughter—securing her place as Madam Victoria's favorite.

"Oh, so this is Zoe. She's grown into such a beauty, just like her mother." Yvette's voice was high-pitched, her words dripping with something between admiration and veiled mockery.

Evelyn took her seat, her crimson lips curving slightly. "Aunt Yvette, I didn’t expect you to arrange a dinner so soon after arriving in Bassburgh."

"What are you saying? You're my niece, after all. We’re family. It’s only natural I’d want to see you after so long."

"Is that so? How thoughtful of you." Evelyn arched a brow.

'Family? I haven’t spoken to any of them in years. Who would believe she actually missed me?'

Her gaze flickered to the man across from her, and she frowned. "And this is…?"

'Please don’t tell me this is some long-lost cousin.'

Yvette beamed. "This is Mr. Zimmerman’s grandson from Cornelia. You must know of his grandfather—the Zimmermans were once very close with our family. And this is Mrs. Zimmerman."

Mrs. Zimmerman scrutinized Evelyn with an unreadable expression before pursing her lips. "So this is Richard’s daughter with Isabella? She’s certainly pretty, but I wonder if she’s hardworking."

Yvette laughed. "Oh, all women become hardworking after marriage. Besides, Zoe is highly educated. Where else would the Zimmermans find such a refined daughter-in-law in Cornelia?"

Mrs. Zimmerman seemed somewhat convinced.

Noticing her son’s unwavering stare at Evelyn, she could guess exactly what he was thinking.

Evelyn finally pieced it together.

'Ah. So this is a setup.'

Her expression cooled. "Aunt Yvette, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I was under the impression this was a family gathering, not a matchmaking session."

Madam Victoria interjected smoothly. "Zoe, your aunt simply thought of you now that you’re of marriageable age. You should be grateful she found you such a prestigious match from Cornelia."