Chapter 28

The conference room at Viana Jewelry headquarters was thick with tension the next morning.

For the executives present, the meeting felt like thirty minutes of pure torture.

The source of their discomfort sat at the head of the table, radiating a dark, oppressive aura.

Nathan Goldmann’s mind wasn’t on the discussion at all.

Instead, it was consumed by thoughts of a certain infuriating woman from the night before.

A woman who had haunted his dreams, leaving him restless and agitated.

He clenched his jaw. He must be losing his mind.

When the meeting finally ended, Nathan stormed back to his office, his mood blacker than ever.

Oliver Lawson followed, carrying a stack of documents. "Mr. Goldmann, the meeting ran longer than expected."

Nathan dropped into his chair with a scowl. "We’re going swimming tonight."

Oliver paused mid-step. "Swimming? Why?"

Nathan’s expression didn’t change. "To cool off."

Oliver blinked. "Ah."

Then, hesitantly, he added, "By the way, sir, when I escorted Miss Vanderbilt home last night—"

"Don’t mention her." Nathan cut him off sharply.

Oliver wisely shut his mouth. Clearly, this wasn’t the time.

"If you’re set on swimming, I’ll cancel your RSVP for Mr. Boucher’s birthday party. Though your father was quite insistent you attend."

Nathan’s glare silenced him.

Oliver sighed. He was just the messenger.

Meanwhile, at Viana Jewelry, Evelyn Vanderbilt strode down the hallway when she overheard two employees whispering.

"Have you seen Director Vanderbilt today? She’s a walking storm cloud. Nothing pleases her, and yet she’s barely competent herself."

"Too bad she’s a Vanderbilt. We just have to deal with it."

Evelyn stopped dead in her tracks.

Then, with a cold smile, she turned and marched straight to Vivian’s office.

"I said leave me alone!" Vivian hurled a folder toward the door without looking.

It landed at Evelyn’s feet.

Evelyn picked it up, her lips curving into a smirk. "It’s barely morning. What’s got you so worked up?"

Vivian’s head snapped up. "Evelyn."

The events of last night flashed through her mind, and rage surged through her.

She lunged forward, hand raised to strike.

Evelyn caught her wrist effortlessly. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Weren’t you the one who tried to set me up last night?"

She wasn’t falling for the same trick twice.

Only a fool would.

"I—I don’t know what you’re talking about," Vivian stammered, too exhausted to argue.

"Then why are you so angry?" Evelyn’s gaze sharpened. "Unless… you weren’t the only one drugged?"

Vivian paled.

She couldn’t let Evelyn find out what had happened between her and Victor Baldwin last night!

She yanked her hand back. "Do you really think Mr. Baldwin will just let you go? Once he sets his sights on something, he doesn’t stop until he gets it!"

Evelyn’s smirk deepened. "Good. Those who set their sights on me tend to regret it."

Vivian’s face drained of color.

Why was this woman so impossible to deal with?

"Oh, right." Evelyn pulled out a document. "I’m rehiring an old staff member. Sign this."

Vivian didn’t even glance at it. "Over my dead body."

Evelyn shrugged. "Fine. I’ll just ask Nathan."

Vivian snatched the papers and signed immediately, not bothering to read them.

In that moment, she looked exactly like Evelyn had when she’d been forced to sign her own documents days before.