Chapter 73

The moment the last staff member disappeared through the elevator doors, Evelyn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Nathan still had her wrist in his grip, his fingers warm and unyielding.

She tilted her head, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Mr. Goldmann? Do you have a thing for public spectacles?"

His gaze darkened, the intensity in his eyes sending a shiver down her spine. "Would you like to find out just how exciting things can get?"

Evelyn’s pulse stuttered.

This man wouldn’t dare—

Before she could react, Nathan spun her around, pinning her against the wall with one arm braced beside her head. His body caged her in, leaving no room to escape.

"Let me go, Goldmann," she hissed, lifting her knee in warning.

But he was faster. His hand clamped around her thigh, pressing it back down with effortless strength. The position was beyond compromising—it was downright scandalous.

"Nathan Goldmann," she growled, fury flashing in her eyes.

The elevator dinged.

The doors slid open to reveal two wide-eyed employees, their jaws dropping at the sight before them. Papers fluttered to the floor as they scrambled backward, abandoning all thought of stepping inside.

Evelyn’s face burned.

Nathan, however, merely straightened his tie and stepped back, his expression infuriatingly calm.

"Exciting enough for you?" he drawled before strolling out as if nothing had happened.

Evelyn stormed into her office and hurled her bag onto the couch. "That arrogant, insufferable—!"

Gregory walked in just as her foot connected with the desk. He blinked. "Bad day?"

She exhaled sharply, forcing her hands to her sides. "Just someone testing my patience."

"Vivian?"

Evelyn scoffed. "Vivian doesn’t have the power to get under my skin like this." She dropped into her chair, fingers drumming against the armrest.

Gregory hesitated before speaking. "I gave your designs to our contact. He should be meeting Vivian today."

A slow smirk curved her lips. "Perfect. Father’s desperate to fix Viana’s financial mess. Right now, any lifeline looks like salvation."

She leaned back, satisfaction curling in her chest.

Let Vivian play the queen a little longer.

Viana Jewelry

Glass shattered as Vivian swept everything off her desk in one furious motion.

She hadn’t slept since Nathan had thrown her out of the Goldmann mansion.

And that scene in his office—Evelyn in his arms, his mouth on hers—it played on loop in her mind, each repetition fueling her rage.

Six years. Six years by his side, and he’d never so much as touched her.

But Evelyn? One look, and he was consumed.

Her nails dug into her palms.

If the board found out Nathan had withdrawn his support, she’d lose everything.

Viana was already drowning in debt. Without him, she’d be nothing.

I won’t let Evelyn win.

A knock interrupted her spiral.

"Ms. Vanderbilt," an assistant murmured. "A designer from Hailey & Co. is here to see you."

Vivian forced her breathing to steady. "Send him in."

Moments later, a flamboyantly dressed man sauntered in, his assistant trailing behind. He flashed a dazzling smile. "Ms. Vanderbilt, what an honor."

Vivian blinked. "You… know me?"

He handed her a business card with a flourish. "Who doesn’t know the woman favored by Nathan Goldmann?"

Her fingers tightened around the card.

This could be exactly what she needed.