Chapter 228

Evelyn's gaze swept discreetly across the dining table. Madam Victoria was discharged. York and Yvette came to Bassburgh. Even Laura and Vivian are back at the Vanderbilt mansion. This isn't just a simple dinner.

The air was thick with tension, each person harboring their own hidden motives.

Yvette turned to Evelyn with a calculated smile. "Zoe, I heard you've started your own jewelry studio. How's business?"

Her tone carried a false sweetness, as if she were fishing for information rather than expressing genuine concern.

Madam Victoria chimed in with a mocking lilt. "Of course she's doing well. Nathan Goldmann is backing her. Even if she did nothing, she'd live comfortably."

"Nathan Goldmann?" York's eyebrows shot up, clearly impressed that his niece had landed such a powerful man.

"Yes, Zoe has brought honor to the family—all thanks to that pretty face of hers," Madam Victoria sneered, implying that Evelyn had nothing else to offer.

Evelyn's lips curled into a sharp smile. "Exactly. I owe it all to the face my mother gave me."

She tilted her head slightly. "Neither Vivian nor Lydia managed to catch his attention. I suppose you're disappointed they couldn't be of use with their faces?"

Vivian's fingers tightened around her fork, but Laura subtly pressed a hand to her wrist, warning her to stay silent.

Richard had only just begun warming up to them again. If he got angry now, they'd never be allowed back into the manor.

Madam Victoria scoffed, dropping all pretense. "You have your own studio and Nathan Goldmann's support. Why not hand Viana over to your cousin?"

Yvette nodded eagerly. "Exactly, Richard. You don't have a son. Viana should stay with the Vanderbilts. Why not pass it to Henry? He is family, after all."

Evelyn let out a dry laugh before Richard could respond.

"When my parents built Viana, not a single Vanderbilt contributed. Now that your businesses have failed, you think you can just take it?"

"Zoe, how can you say that?" Yvette gasped, feigning offense.

"Am I wrong?" Evelyn's voice was icy. "This so-called family never lifted a finger to help us, yet now you think you can guilt-trip my father into handing over what he built?"

"Zoe!" Madam Victoria snapped. "Your father hasn't even spoken yet!"

"My father is silent because he respects his mother," Evelyn countered smoothly. "But that doesn't mean you get to dictate what happens to Viana."

She leaned back in her chair, her tone final. "I won't be giving it to anyone. If you want it, come and take it—but you'd better be prepared for the consequences."

Madam Victoria and Yvette paled. They weren't afraid of Evelyn.

They were afraid of the man standing behind her.

If they tried to force the issue, they knew exactly how it would end.

Laura remained silent, neither supporting nor opposing them. But what Richard said next changed the expressions of everyone at the table.