Chapter 218

The scandal exploded across every major news outlet.

Madam Victoria watched in horror as her eldest son York was dragged away in handcuffs. Their Cornelian assets were frozen, their business empire teetering on the brink of collapse. Desperate, she turned to her only remaining hope—Richard.

"Richard, he's your brother! You must save him!"

Richard clenched his fists as his mother sobbed before him. "He was caught laundering money, Mother. How exactly am I supposed to fix this?"

His voice cracked with frustration. "I warned him—repeatedly—but did he listen? Now the entire world knows. What do you expect me to do?"

Helplessness weighed him down.

He had built his life in Bassburgh to escape the toxicity of his family. His mother had always favored York, turning a blind eye to his shady dealings in Cornelia.

Then Madam Victoria's eyes lit up with sudden realization. "Zoe! She's involved with Nathan Goldmann! Ask her to speak to him—he has the influence to make this disappear!"

Richard let out a bitter laugh. "So now you remember you have a granddaughter?"

Tears streamed down her wrinkled face. "I'm your mother. Must you push me to my grave?"

His expression hardened. Yes, she was his mother. And despite everything, he couldn't abandon her.

"...Fine. I'll talk to Zoe."

When Evelyn saw the headlines about the Vanderbilts, she knew Nathan was responsible.

Only he could uncover York's illicit activities so swiftly.

The Vanderbilt name was now synonymous with scandal. She braced herself—her grandmother would come running to Richard.

The call came sooner than expected.

"Zoe," Richard's voice was heavy. "We need to talk about your uncle."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "You want me to save him."

Of course. Her grandmother had sent him as her messenger.

Richard hesitated. "I know how you feel about them. But they're still family. Just this once—help me. After this, I'll ensure your grandmother never troubles you again."

He hated dragging her into this. But if this was the price to free himself from his mother's demands, he'd pay it.

Evelyn stayed silent.

The Vanderbilts had never treated her as family. Their cruelty still stung.

But then—an idea flickered in her mind.

Her jaw tightened.

"...Fine. Just this once."

Evelyn strode into Nathan's office without knocking.

He glanced up from his paperwork, arching a brow at her unannounced visit. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need a favor." She stopped before his desk, voice steady. "Release York Vanderbilt."

Nathan's expression darkened. He studied her for a long moment. "You're pleading for them?"

Was she really this forgiving after everything they'd done?

"No." Evelyn met his gaze unflinchingly. "I'm doing this for my father."