Chapter 305

Rosalind was stunned. How could Evelyn dare to defy Theodore?

Hah, she had truly enraged him now. This would be her downfall!

"You!" Theodore's expression darkened with fury. "Get out of my sight!"

Nathan gripped Evelyn's wrist, turning sharply. His voice was ice. "The only woman I will ever marry is Evelyn."

Watching him walk away without hesitation, Theodore was reminded of his own son, Philip, who had been just as stubborn when he insisted on marrying Victoria. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

Though he had eventually accepted Victoria as his daughter-in-law, it had been against his will.

This was different. Even if Evelyn was a Vanderbilt, she carried the cursed blood of the de Armas! That woman would be the ruin of them all!

Rosalind's heart turned to stone.

She had thought revealing this to Theodore would force Nathan to abandon Evelyn, but—

Nathan had chosen to defy his grandfather rather than give her up!

"Grandfather, don't worry. Ms. Vanderbilt's children are the only reason Nathan is clinging to her. He doesn’t want them to lose their mother."

Yes. Without those children, Evelyn would be nothing.

Theodore's face hardened. "Hmph. We are Goldmanns. We don’t need to settle for a woman like her. As for Evelyn, I will never allow de Arma blood into this family!"

Once inside the car, Evelyn cupped Nathan’s face. "Nathan, let me see."

He turned and pulled her into his arms instead, catching her off guard. "Nathan?"

"Zoe, just let me hold you."

His embrace was tight, his face buried in the curve of her neck. The man who had stood unshaken before Theodore now showed her this rare vulnerability.

Evelyn frowned, recalling Theodore’s words. "Nathan… are the de Armas really as terrible as your grandfather says?"

"That feud started with my great-grandfather’s generation." Nathan lifted his head, fingers brushing her cheek. "He was at war with the left-wing royals, and the de Armas were among their strongest supporters."

"My father never wanted me involved in those old conflicts, but my grandfather… he was shaped by that hatred. He despises the royals, especially the de Armas."

Nathan took her hand, his gaze dropping. "I’m sorry, Evelyn. I kept this from you because I didn’t want it to burden you."

To him, the sins of their ancestors meant nothing. No matter who Evelyn was, he wanted her—only her.

Evelyn studied him silently before tracing the bruise on his face.

"Ow."

He winced dramatically, lips curving into a pained smirk. "That hurts, Zoe."

Evelyn exhaled sharply.

Men. They were impossible when they turned soft.

"Let’s go back. I’ll treat that."

Nathan tightened his grip on her hand, amused. "Back where? My grandfather just banished us. Where exactly can we go?"

Evelyn hesitated. "Then—"

He grinned.

"You promised me a reward, didn’t you? Take me there."

With that, Nathan drove away from the Goldmann mansion, leaving the storm behind.