Chapter 83

Evelyn froze, her expression darkening instantly.

Nathan's words had clearly caught Gregory off guard. He glanced between Evelyn and the employee still hovering awkwardly at the door.

"Zoe," Richard began, his voice dripping with condescension, "I pitied you because of your mother's mistakes. That's why I wanted you to inherit Viana Jewelry. But clearly, what you did six years ago wasn't enough. Now you're entangled with Mr. Goldmann? Do you even know the meaning of shame? He's your sister Vivian's boyfriend!"

Richard's disappointment was palpable. After witnessing their intimate moment in the office himself, how could he believe his daughter was innocent?

Evelyn's fists clenched. "You're lecturing me about shame? Then why didn't you call Laura out when she climbed into your bed?"

"Enough!" Richard snapped. "What happened between your mother and me has nothing to do with Laura."

A bitter laugh escaped Evelyn. "Nothing to do with her? You really know how to defend her, don't you?"

"You don’t understand anything about your mother and me!" Richard hissed through gritted teeth.

"Maybe not," Evelyn shot back, rising to her feet, her hands trembling. "But have you ever tried to understand me? You think I stole Vivian's man? Fine. Let me make it clear—those children are Nathan's!"

"Evelyn Vanderbilt, you—"

"They're five now. Add the year I was pregnant, and that makes six years ago, doesn’t it?"

Shock flashed across Richard’s face, his words dying in his throat.

Evelyn smirked coldly. "You’ve always believed Laura and Vivian. Every word from their mouths is gospel, but mine? Worthless. Sometimes I wonder if I’m even your real daughter."

Richard’s expression twisted. "That’s ridiculous!"

"Am I wrong?" Evelyn challenged. "You favor Vivian over me. I’ve always been the outsider—the Vanderbilt bastard. No, wait. I don’t even deserve that title."

Richard’s shoulders tensed, his eyes shadowed.

"If anything, I should thank Vivian. If she hadn’t set me up six years ago, I wouldn’t have lost my virginity to the illustrious Mr. Goldmann of Zlokova."

Watching Richard’s conflicted expression, Evelyn pressed on. "So, by your logic—who stole whose man? Me, now? Or Vivian, six years ago?"

The employee outside the door felt his brain short-circuit from the sheer volume of revelations.

Then, footsteps.

The man turned, paling when he saw who approached. "M-Mr. Goldmann!"

Nathan’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect—he’d heard every word.

'Her man, huh?'

Evelyn’s bravado shattered the second she spotted him.

'Oh, for god’s sake!'

Richard stiffened, his emotions spiraling further into chaos.

"Mr. Vanderbilt," Nathan said smoothly, stepping past him, "I don’t recall ever confirming Vivian as my girlfriend. Have I?"

Richard faltered. "Well—that is—"

Because he hadn’t. He’d only ever heard it from Laura and Vivian.