Chapter 342

Meryl Yates swallowed hard when the words "promotion" and "raise" reached her ears. Her pulse quickened with excitement.

"Seriously... You mean it?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Rosalind Summers' dark eyes gleamed with sincerity as she smiled. "I never make empty promises. It's yours if you want it."

Meryl nodded eagerly, fingers twisting together. "My lips are sealed. No one will hear a word from me."

Working at ckgold Group already provided excellent benefits. A promotion with increased salary? That was beyond her wildest dreams!

As Meryl exited the office, Rosalind's pleasant expression melted away. Cold determination replaced it.

She picked up her phone with deliberate calmness and typed a message.

(Shane, I need someone taken care of. Details to follow. Make it quick.)

At Viana Jewelry Studio...

"Zoe, the renovations at Viana might need another week," Gregory Fannon reported, checking his tablet.

Evelyn Vanderbilt simply smiled. "No rush. We'll discuss it when everything's finished."

Gregory raised an eyebrow. "Funny how you were so eager to move before, but now you're perfectly content to wait?"

Evelyn pouted, caught red-handed. "What? I'm just being reasonable. Viana's a massive space - renovations take time."

'And maybe I'm not quite ready to leave yet,' she thought silently.

Gregory chuckled knowingly but said nothing further.

Evelyn's phone buzzed unexpectedly. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

After a moment's hesitation, she answered. Theodore Goldmann's voice demanded her presence at the mansion immediately.

During the drive, Evelyn mentally prepared herself. 'This must be about mine and Nathan's marriage.'

The mansion's grand doors swung open as she arrived. Theodore sat stiffly in the parlor while Mr. Chester poured tea.

"You wanted to see me?" Evelyn approached calmly.

Theodore slammed his teacdown, the china rattling. "So you went through with marrying Nathan after all."

Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "Sir, I understand your concerns about my connection to the de Armas family. But I need to make something clear - the feud between our families has nothing to do with me."

She took a steadying breath. "My mother was never involved, and neither will I be."

"Pretty words," Theodore scoffed. "Do you know why Nathan's mother was kidnapped fifteen years ago? The de Armas wanted leverage against our family."

His piercing stare made Evelyn's skin prickle. "Now Harrison de Armas knows you're married to my grandson. What do you think will happen?"

Evelyn frowned. "What could he possibly do?"

Theodore's laugh was bitter. "If Harrison ever uses you to manipulate Nathan, how far do you think my grandson would go to protect you?"

Evelyn's hands clenched at her sides. The possibility chilled her.

"The de Armas..." she murmured.

'Would my grandfather truly use me as a pawn against Nathan?'

"You don't need to worry," Evelyn said firmly. "I won't allow myself to become a weapon against Nathan."

She straightened her shoulders. "My only family is Richard Vanderbilt. Even if I'm biologically related to the de Armas, they mean nothing to me."

Her voice grew stronger. "I was raised a Vanderbilt. After my mother died, my father was my whole world. Blood doesn't make family - love does."