Chapter 304

Evelyn remained silent.

"Their Godfather Adrian?"

These two little troublemakers were masters of manipulation.

Nathan approached Mr. Chester, who gave a respectful nod. "Mr. Goldmann, Elder Master Goldmann has been waiting for you in the study for several hours."

"Understood." Nathan turned to Evelyn. "Take the children downstairs."

Evelyn rose slowly, letting the three of them go ahead. Nathan took her hand, leading her toward the study.

When they entered, Rosalind Summers stood beside Theodore Goldmann.

Theodore sat behind the desk, his presence commanding. Evelyn's gaze instinctively turned frosty.

"Grandfather, Evelyn has completed the assessment and passed. Now, about our wedding—"

"I remain firm in my rejection of this marriage!"

Nathan's expression darkened. "You're going back on your word?"

"Yes, I am. You will not marry this woman!" Theodore's hostility toward Evelyn had intensified, his stance more rigid than before she had even entered the training camp.

Evelyn clenched her jaw. She had fulfilled her end of the bargain—endured the grueling mission, risked her life—yet he was reneging?

"Elder Master Goldmann," she said carefully, "I don’t understand why you’re withdrawing your agreement."

She hadn’t expected an immediate wedding, but a deal was a deal. She had fought for this.

Theodore slammed his palm on the desk. "Because your mother was a de Arma—Hernandez’s daughter!"

The de Armas.

Nathan’s face hardened. How had his grandfather uncovered that?

Evelyn’s pulse quickened. What did her mother’s lineage have to do with anything?

Nathan stepped in front of her protectively. "Evelyn’s mother was a de Arma, but she is a Vanderbilt. My father and I were aware of this."

Rosalind’s eyes flickered. So Nathan and his father had been shielding Evelyn all along.

Theodore shot to his feet, jabbing a finger at Nathan. "You knew, and you hid it from me!"

"Grandfather, if you have grievances with the de Armas, take them up with Harrison. Evelyn has no part in that feud."

"You foolish boy! Have you forgotten how your great-grandfather nearly died because of them?" Theodore’s voice was laced with venom.

Evelyn stiffened. "The de Armas did that?"

Nathan’s jaw tightened. "That was generations ago. It has nothing to do with us."

Furious, Theodore snatched an ashtray and hurled it at Nathan.

Rosalind gasped. "Nathan—!"

The ashtray struck his cheek before shattering on the floor. A bruise bloomed across his skin.

"Nathan!"

Evelyn’s heart lurched. Seeing him hurt ignited something dark inside her. She balled her fists. "Elder Master Goldmann, Nathan is right. Whatever happened between our families is in the past. It doesn’t concern us!"