Chapter 3

Evelyn spun around and locked eyes with the man. Her breath caught in her throat.

His face was striking—pale skin, sharp features, and piercing amber eyes that held an icy depth. His lips were thin, pressed into a firm line.

He looked uncannily like Caleb and Liam. Even his eyes were the exact same shade.

Evelyn had only discovered she was carrying triplets during labor in Stoslo. Her first two sons bore no resemblance to her, but her youngest, Daisy, had inherited her features—except for the jet-black hair, just like the man standing before her now.

Curiosity burned in Evelyn’s gaze.

Who is he? What’s his connection to Vivian?

Nathan Goldmann studied Evelyn’s face, his brows furrowing slightly. This woman…

Vivian noticed Nathan’s scrutiny and clenched her teeth. No way. He can’t recognize her.

She wouldn’t let that happen.

Wrapping her arms around Nathan’s arm, she put on a pitiful expression. "Nathan, I—I shouldn’t have acted so rashly. But my father poured his soul into Viana Jewelry. I was just trying to protect it."

Nathan’s expression darkened. Ignoring her excuse, he stepped forward. "You said Viana Jewelry would go bankrupt. What makes you think you have the right to say that?"

Evelyn scoffed. Her father poured his soul into it? Please. Richard had done nothing but leech off someone else’s hard work. Vivian was rewriting history.

Evelyn lifted her chin, meeting Nathan’s cold gaze head-on. "So what if I did?"

The room collectively held its breath.

How dare she talk back to Nathan Goldmann?

Was she insane?

Nathan’s expression turned stormy. Evelyn crossed her arms, smirking. "What’s it to you? Defending her because you’re her man?"

Perfect match. A pair of entitled brats.

Anyone who fell for Vivian’s act couldn’t be worth much.

"Do you even realize what you’re saying?" Nathan’s voice was like ice.

Evelyn arched a brow. "Oh, I do. This company headhunted me, and now they’re playing games. Truly stellar professionalism."

Vivian paled. "What—what are you talking about? Viana never approached you!"

Was this bitch delusional?

"Miss Vanderbilt, your memory seems selective. Just last month, you offered $150 million to poach me from Luxe. If Viana has no respect for me, then our collaboration ends here."

The room erupted in shock.

Evelyn was Zara—the world-renowned jewelry designer?

Vivian looked like she’d been slapped. "That’s impossible! You can’t be Zara!"

Nathan’s cold glare silenced her mid-sentence. Her face flushed with humiliation.

Evelyn turned to Nathan. "I assume you’re the one who bankrolled that offer?"

Neither Richard nor Vivian had that kind of money. It had to be him.

Nathan studied her. Something about her felt familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

Vivian panicked. "Nathan, she’s lying! There’s no way she’s Zara!"

Evelyn and Zara—the elusive designer—were the same person? Impossible. She’d lived with Evelyn for years. If her stepsister had talent, she’d have known.

Besides, Zara’s identity was a well-kept secret. Anyone could claim to be her.

"Prove it," Vivian challenged, smirking. "The real Zara has a royal badge from Stoslo. Show us yours."

Let’s see her bluff her way out of this.

If Evelyn couldn’t produce it, she’d be exposed as a fraud—and she’d have just crossed Nathan Goldmann. Good luck surviving that fallout.