Chapter 355

Lucas Laurent scoffed, his piercing gaze fixed on Harrison de Arma. "And why exactly shouldn't I be concerned? You've crossed lines before."

Harrison's lips curled into a cold smile as he adjusted his cufflinks. "The boy carries de Arma blood. That makes him family."

Little Caleb tilted his head, confusion clouding his bright eyes. "You're really my great-grandfather?"

Harrison's expression softened momentarily as he studied the child. "Through your mother's lineage, yes. The de Arma lineage."

Caleb's small brows furrowed. "But Mommy never mentioned you."

The tense silence was shattered by commotion at the entrance.

"Ma'am, this is a private event—"

"Move. Now."

Evelyn Vanderbilt pushed past the startled staff, her heart pounding. When her gaze landed on Caleb sitting unharmed between Lucas and the imposing older man, her shoulders sagged with relief.

Harrison waved off his security detail. "Let her approach. She's... family."

The word tasted bitter on his tongue.

Evelyn's heels clicked sharply against the marble as she strode forward. "Mr. de Arma, I presume?"

Harrison studied her with unsettling intensity. "You have Miranda's eyes. Sit. We were just getting acquainted with your son."

"I'm here for Caleb." Evelyn's voice held steel. "Nothing more."

Lucas shifted uncomfortably, his knuckles whitening around his wine glass.

Harrison chuckled darkly. "So defensive. Do you truly believe I'd harm my own blood?"

Evelyn didn't blink. "Given your history with the Goldmanns, can you blame me?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Harrison's smile vanished. "Ah yes, the Goldmanns. That parasitic family that soiled royal bloodlines and murdered without consequence."

"That was generations ago," Evelyn countered. "Nathan Goldmann is my husband. A good man."

Harrison's fist slammed onto the table, making the silverware jump. "Good? Their entire fortune is built on corpses! Your precious father-in-law's hands will never be clean!"

Caleb flinched at the outburst. Evelyn instinctively moved to shield him.

Harrison regained his composure with visible effort. "You stand with them so readily? After everything?"

Evelyn lifted her chin. "They accepted me without hesitation when they learned of my heritage. That's more than I can say for the de Armas."

A dangerous glint entered Harrison's eyes. "Tell me, Evelyn... are you certain the Goldmanns' affection isn't merely... convenient?"