Chapter 341

Nathan turned his head to study Evelyn's rigid posture, her spine straight as a soldier standing at attention. A sudden burst of laughter escaped his lips before he could stop it.

The moment was perfectly captured by the photographer's lens. Anyone with half a brain could see the undisguised adoration shining in Nathan's smile.

After reviewing several shots, Nathan unhesitatingly selected their very first photograph from the options.

Emerging from city hall, Evelyn let out an exasperated laugh when she saw his choice. "You picked THAT one? I look absolutely ridiculous!"

Nathan ruffled her hair affectionately. "Not ridiculous - adorable."

Truth be told, Evelyn was far from unattractive. Their first meeting had already proven that. But as their relationship deepened, Nathan discovered even the most stunning woman could reveal unexpectedly sweet vulnerabilities.

'Who knew such a brilliant mind could be so endearingly clumsy at times?'

Evelyn pouted dramatically.

That infuriatingly perfect face of his looked divine as always in the photo. Meanwhile, she resembled a nervous recruit on her first day of boot camp. The contrast grew more ridiculous each time she looked at it.

#MrGoldmannAndEvelynVanderbiltTieTheKnot trended explosively across social media. Among Bassburgh's elite, only Nathan commanded this level of public fascination without being a celebrity.

Several citizens who'd coincidentally been at city hall that day posted candid shots of the newlyweds:

[Photo of Nathan laughing while Evelyn stands stiffly]

The comments section overflowed with both congratulations and envy. When Vivian saw the news alert, she shot up from her couch so violently she nearly overturned the coffee table.

Married? Already?

'Damn it! Why does that bitch always get everything I want? Why can't I beat her at anything?!'

Her phone's sudden ringing startled her.

Seeing "Lillian de Arma" on the caller ID, Vivian composed herself before answering. "Yes?"

The aristocratic woman's voice dripped with false calm. "I assume you've seen?"

Vivian's nails bit into her palm. "That whore actually married Nathan."

A thought struck her. "You swore Theodore Goldmann would never approve this. What happened to your grand plans?"

She'd been counting on the Goldmann patriarch's opposition.

'If I can't have him, why should she get to be happy?'

"Since when do you question me, little girl?" The icy rebuke made Vivian flinch.

She caught herself - she'd overstepped.

'If not for this woman's money and connections that got me out of that hellhole, I'd never tolerate her condescension.'

Lillian's tone turned calculating. "If you truly want Nathan, eliminate Evelyn permanently. Harassing her associates achieves nothing. Think carefully."

Rosalind Summers ended the call in a corporate restroom, her grip threatening to crack her phone screen.

'Married. The man I love belongs to another woman now.' Her reflection showed a twisted smile. 'But marriage certificates can be amended. From "married" to "widowed"...'

The sound of a trash can clattering interrupted her thoughts. Rosalind's expression smoothed into practiced calm as she exited the stall.

A terrified junior employee stood frozen, her ID badge clearly displaying: [Strategic Department - Meryl Yates]

Rosalind approached with predatory grace. "Did you hear something interesting, dear?"

"N-nothing! I didn't hear anything!" The girl's trembling hands betrayed her.

Rosalind's manicured fingers brushed the employee's shoulder as she memorized the name tag. Her voice dropped to a honeyed whisper. "How would you like a promotion? Everyone has their price... and their secrets."