Chapter 360

The sun cast long shadows across the marble floor as Evelyn Vanderbilt stood tall, her voice cutting through the tense silence.

"First," she began, her tone icy, "Winifred had repeatedly targeted me during training, even going so far as to frame me. I chose to let those incidents go."

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.

"Second, the circumstances of Winifred’s death remain unclear. The authorities are still investigating whether it was suicide or murder."

Her gaze hardened.

"But if you insist on blaming me, I suggest you hire a lawyer before speaking to me again. Though I doubt the courts will favor you—because I am just as much a victim here as the deceased."

A murmur rippled through the room.

She wouldn’t sound this confident if she were guilty.

Mrs. Whitmore stiffened, her face twisting in fury. "You think you’re untouchable because you’re Nathan Goldmann’s wife, don’t you?"

Her husband tugged at her sleeve. "Let’s discuss this rationally—"

"Rationally?" Mrs. Whitmore snapped. "Our daughter is dead. What do I have left to lose?"

She turned back to Evelyn, venom dripping from her words. "You hide behind your status, thinking no one can touch you. But we’ll make sure the world knows the truth!"

Evelyn’s lips curled into a cold smile. "If you’re not here for legal action, then what do you want?"

Mr. Whitmore bowed slightly, forcing a conciliatory tone. "Ms. Vanderbilt, we’re not here to accuse you. But our daughter died in your training camp. Surely you understand our need for… compensation."

Chloe Lawson scoffed. "The camp already compensated you. Now you’re here demanding more from Evelyn?"

Mrs. Whitmore’s eyes flashed. "That paltry sum was nothing compared to what we spent raising her!"

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Before we discuss compensation, perhaps you should pay me for the psychological trauma your daughter caused."

The room fell silent.

"She lured me into a restricted zone—I nearly died. She sabotaged my relationship with Nathan, turning the public against me."

Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"So tell me, Mrs. Whitmore… who owes whom?"