Chapter 23

"Actually, Mommy believes it's important to understand our heritage. She's fascinated by antiques—that's how she created her signature 'Victorian-inspired jewelry' back in Stoslo."

Nathan's father chuckled. "I'd love to meet your mother someday."

Daisy beamed, thrilled she had finally steered Grandpa's attention toward Mommy.

Nathan glanced at Liam, who stood beside him. The little boy wiped his cheek with the back of his hand before shooting Nathan a look that was anything but friendly.

Oddly, that defiant expression reminded Nathan of someone.

"The first time I saw you, you had a mole near your eye."

Liam rubbed the spot defensively. "I drew that on."

"Grandpa, you lost!" Daisy giggled, bouncing on her toes.

She didn’t realize he had let her win. Watching her laugh so freely, the old man found himself smiling too. Maybe age had softened him—or maybe he was starting to enjoy the idea of having a granddaughter.

As evening approached, Nathan drove Liam and Daisy back to Seaview Villa.

"Goodbye, mister!" Daisy waved enthusiastically before grabbing her brother’s hand and skipping toward the porch.

Nathan didn’t leave immediately. He lingered, watching them disappear inside, lost in thought. He had never suspected they were his children—but now that he knew they were Vanderbilts, questions gnawed at him.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Vivian.

At the Vanderbilt manor—

"Nathan asked about what happened six years ago again?" Laura strode over, her expression tight with unease.

Vivian nodded, biting her lip. "I don’t know why, but I think he’s suspicious. Especially since Evelyn came back—he’s been paying way too much attention to her!"

That night when Nathan had questioned her about Evelyn, she had spun a story painting Evelyn as the schemer, the villain. It had worked—until she saw them leave together in the same car. Nathan hadn’t come home that night.

She hadn’t dared ask him, so her fury had festered, aimed solely at Evelyn.

Laura’s face darkened. "I knew it. That little witch is playing games. At dinner, she was deliberately provoking us, making Nathan doubt us."

"We can’t let her keep this up. With that face of hers, any man would fall for her if given enough time."

"Mom, I’ve tried getting rid of her, but she’s too clever. I can’t outmaneuver her."

Vivian’s patience was fraying. With Nathan digging into the past, the truth would surface sooner or later.

Laura paced, fingers tapping her chin. Then, a slow smirk curled her lips. "Vivian, do you still have Victor Baldwin’s number?"

Vivian stiffened. "Mr. Baldwin?"

"Yes. That old man has been obsessed with her for years. He never got what he wanted six years ago—let’s arrange a proper reunion. This time, we’ll make sure she can’t escape."

Meanwhile, Evelyn sat in her office, sketching designs. Since her mother’s death, Viana Jewelry had struggled to establish a distinct style.

After Luxe’s success with Victorian-inspired pieces, Evelyn hadn’t introduced anything new.