Chapter 254

The dim lights of the underground market flickered ominously.

Garrett exhaled a cloud of smoke from his cigar, watching the trembling woman at his feet with cold amusement. "Mercy?" His voice was a low growl. "You should know better than to ask for that."

Vivian clutched the hem of his pants, her knuckles white. "Please! I'll do anything—just let me go!"

He tilted his head, studying her like a predator toying with its prey. "You think begging will change anything?" A cruel smirk twisted his lips. "Your mother's debts don't disappear just because you cry."

Her blood ran cold.

Laura Scott—her mother—had dragged her into this nightmare. Vivian had spent years resenting her for the lies, for the men, for the shame. And now, she was paying the price.

Why couldn’t I have been Evelyn? The thought burned like acid in her mind.

"I—I can repay it!" she blurted. "Nathan Goldmann—you know him, right? He’ll help me!"

Garrett burst into laughter, the sound harsh and mocking. "Nathan Goldmann?" He kicked her away, sending her sprawling onto the filthy floor. "Wake up, sweetheart. He’s the one who sent you here."

Her breath hitched. No. No, that can’t be true.

"Evelyn," she whispered, her nails digging into her palms. She did this. She turned Nathan against me.

"Starting tonight, you’ll earn back every cent your mother owes," Garrett said, his voice devoid of pity. "Try to run, and I’ll make sure you regret it."

Vivian collapsed, the weight of her fate crushing her.

My life is over.

And it was all Evelyn’s fault.

The morning papers were ablaze with the latest scandal.

Evelyn set the newspaper down, her fingers lingering on the headline. The media had painted her as the victim, condemning the Vanderbilts’ greed and Laura’s cruelty.

But they hadn’t mentioned Richard.

She glanced across the table at Nathan. "Thank you," she said softly. "For keeping my father out of this."

Nathan leaned back, his gaze steady. "If you really want to thank me," he murmured, "marry me."

Her pulse stuttered.

Marriage?

"T-That’s… sudden," she managed.

His lips quirked. "Our children aren’t getting any younger, Zoe. Don’t you think it’s time?"

Before she could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room.

"I haven’t approved this yet."

Theodore Goldmann stood in the doorway, Rosalind at his side. His stern gaze locked onto Evelyn. "She hasn’t passed my test. The answer is no."

Nathan’s expression darkened.

Evelyn swallowed.

This isn’t over.