Chapter 456

The flash of cameras blinded Evelyn as reporters swarmed around her. "Ms. Zara," one journalist shoved a microphone toward her, "is Viana Jewelry replacing Iris Linwood as your spokesperson because she lacks star power?"

Another chimed in, "Can you explain the sudden contract termination? Was there a breach of trust?"

The crowd of Iris’s fans erupted behind them. "Viana Jewelry is just another elitist brand looking down on people!" someone shouted. "Get out of Bassburgh!"

"Trash like Viana doesn’t deserve our Iris!"

Evelyn’s gaze darkened as she met the camera lens. A cold smirk curled her lips. "Did you not hear them? A brand like ours truly isn’t worthy of an artist like Iris."

The reporters froze. They had expected excuses, apologies—anything but this sharp dismissal.

Is she not afraid of the backlash?

Iris’s fans exploded in fury. One enraged supporter lunged forward, hand raised to shove Evelyn—

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back as Nathan stepped between them, effortlessly pushing the fan away.

Evelyn turned, startled by the familiar scent of his cologne. His jaw was set, his glare icy as he scanned the crowd. "Leave," he commanded, voice low and dangerous. "Unless you want your idol blacklisted from the industry."

The fans hesitated, but one defiant voice shot back, "You can’t just ban her! Who do you think you are?"

Nathan’s expression turned lethal. "Try me."

The crowd fell silent.

Evelyn tugged Nathan aside and stepped forward. "Before you rally for injustice," she said coolly, "ask yourselves why Iris signed our contract and then ghosted us on the very first day. Is Viana unworthy? Or is Iris too prestigious to honor her commitments?"

She tilted her head, eyes glinting. "I understand wanting to play diva. But not at my company’s expense." She paused, letting her words sink in. "Let me make this clear—Viana Jewelry will never work with unreliable artists like Iris again."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode back into the building, leaving chaos in her wake.

Inside the elevator, she glanced at Nathan, who lingered beside her. "Shouldn’t you be at Goldmann Corp.?"

His lips thinned. He’d come just to see her, but he wouldn’t admit it. "Passing by."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Passing by? Then why are you still here?"

Nathan exhaled, unclenching his fists. "Call me if you need backup." He walked away without another word.

She watched him go, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Still worried about me, huh?

Back in her office, she found Chloe deep in conversation with Gregory. The younger girl brightened when she saw Evelyn. "You’re back! Did those fans give you trouble?"

Evelyn chuckled. "Why are you here? I thought I sent you back to training camp."

Chloe fidgeted, avoiding the truth—that Nathan had ordered her to stay close. "I missed you! The camp’s boring, and I want to help. Consider me an unpaid Viana employee now!"

Evelyn studied her, suspicion flickering in her gaze.