Chapter 445

Richard Vanderbilt didn’t want his daughter to suffer. Before leaving, he turned to her with a firm but gentle expression.

"Zoe," he said, his voice steady, "you don’t always have to sacrifice yourself for others. Even if things don’t work out with Nathan, this will always be your home. The Vanderbilts’ doors will never close to you."

Evelyn blinked, surprised. A small, bittersweet smile curved her lips.

She understood what her father meant. He was trying to protect her from heartbreak. But she wasn’t ready to give up yet—not until she heard the truth from Nathan himself.

Once, he had pursued her relentlessly. Now, it was her turn to fight for him.

The next day, at Goldmann Enterprises…

After Chloe Lawson confirmed Nathan was in his office, Evelyn dressed carefully—soft curls framing her face, a fitted dress accentuating her figure. She carried a handmade lunchbox, determination in her every step.

Oliver Lawson nearly dropped his coffee when he spotted her approaching. "Ms. Vanderbilt—"

Evelyn had always been striking, but since marrying Nathan, she’d rarely bothered with makeup. Today, she looked radiant.

"Can I go in?" she asked, gesturing toward the office door.

Oliver hesitated. Nathan hadn’t explicitly banned her, but…

Before he could respond, Evelyn pushed the door open.

Nathan didn’t glance up from his documents, though he’d recognized her voice.

She set the lunchbox on his desk.

His tone was cool. "What do you need?"

"You haven’t eaten, have you? I made these myself." She lifted the lid, revealing neatly arranged pastries.

He barely glanced at them. "Leave it. I’m busy."

Evelyn obeyed, sliding the box aside. Then she leaned against his desk, watching him with warm eyes. "That’s fine. I’ll stay and keep you company."

Nathan’s fingers stilled on the papers. He didn’t respond.

Unbothered, Evelyn wandered his office—trailing fingers over the bookshelves, studying the art on the walls.

Eventually, Nathan exhaled sharply. "If you have nothing else to do, you should leave."

"Am I distracting you?" She turned, meeting his gaze.

Nathan’s jaw tightened. The makeup highlighted her features—the same way she’d looked when he first fell for her.

Even now, he struggled to look away.

Evelyn leaned forward, bracing her hands on the desk. A playful smirk tugged at her lips. "I thought you’d lost interest, Mr. Goldmann. But it seems I still affect you."

Nathan clenched his teeth, deliberately shifting his attention back to his work.

Evelyn bit her lip. Then, before he could react, she snatched the documents from his hands and perched herself on his lap, arms looping around his neck.

Her voice was a whisper. "Nathan… let’s not get divorced."

He didn’t answer.

Even with her this close, he refused to react—though the effort it took to suppress his emotions was nearly unbearable.

Evelyn’s gaze dropped to his lips. Just as she leaned in, he turned his face away, gripping her wrists to push her off.

Her breath hitched.

His expression was ice. "Seduction doesn’t work on a man who’s no longer interested."

No longer interested.

Evelyn stiffened. Then, slowly, she smiled. "Are you sure about that?"

Nathan’s eyes darkened. He tilted his head, challenge in his tone. "Test me. Let’s see if you still have any power over me."