Chapter 200

The grand birthday celebration that began with splendor concluded in utter humiliation.

After such a disgraceful spectacle, Reginald had no desire to continue his birthday festivities. Harrison and Evelyn didn't linger either.

The Blackwoods escorted Evelyn and Harrison to the exit. Nathan walked silently beside Evelyn, his lips parting several times as if wanting to speak, yet words failed him.

Harrison kept shooting Nathan sideways glances sharp enough to pierce steel. If looks could kill, the young heir would've been buried six feet under by now.

Harrison fumed internally: How dare this insolent boy marry my precious daughter? He's nothing but a pretty face who somehow won Evelyn's heart. Pathetic!

"Mr. Kingsley!"

Victoria rushed after them, her face the picture of innocence. "I'm truly sorry for tonight's misunderstanding. I had no idea Ms. Carter was your daughter, which led me to assume she was involved with Mr. Blackwood..."

Harrison didn't break stride or grant her a single glance. "Ms. Sterling, if Evelyn weren't my daughter, would you have continued fanning those malicious rumors?"

"That's not what I meant—" Victoria's heart lurched with panic.

Nathan recalled how Victoria had dramatically exposed Evelyn's supposed affair with Sebastian in front of Harrison and Reginald. The venom in her eyes made him recoil as if seeing a stranger.

His lips twisted into a bitter smirk, disappointment weighing heavy in his chest.

"Ms. Sterling," Harrison said coldly, "I suggest you refrain from spreading slander when ignorant of the facts. Words cut deeper than blades. Imagine the damage you could've caused to an innocent woman's reputation." He quickened his pace, leaving her behind.

Victoria watched their retreating figures, hatred boiling in her veins. Even Nathan abandoned her without a backward glance. An icy dread seeped into her bones, as if doused in freezing water.

Outside, four luxury vehicles stood at attention. Theodore and a team of bodyguards awaited Harrison and Evelyn.

"Evelyn! Wait!"

Reginald caught Evelyn's hand, his eyes shimmering with tears. "Why did you hide being Harrison's daughter? Why become my caretaker under false pretenses?"

Evelyn sighed mournfully. "The century-old feud between our families forced me to conceal my identity when marrying Nathan. Our families' rivalry made my true name dangerous. Had I revealed myself as Harrison's daughter, I'd never have gotten close to you..."

Harrison and Leonard exchanged loaded glances while Nathan's heart twisted with anguish.

"You foolish girl!" Reginald squeezed her hand. "To hell with ancient grudges! I've never opposed your union. If you love each other, that's all that matters! I wholeheartedly support your marriage!"

Evelyn managed a faint smile at the old man's modern phrasing.

"Grandfather, I'm no saint. I've deceived you for so long. Nathan and I don't love each other. Even without the family feud, we can't be together."

Nathan felt the air leave his lungs, despair darkening his gaze.

"Now that your celebration is over, Nathan and I must finalize our divorce." The words carved fresh wounds in Evelyn's heart. She embraced Reginald, eyes burning. "Though I'll no longer be your granddaughter-in-law, I'll always be your Evelyn. You'll forever be my grandfather. Please stay healthy and live long."

Reginald clung to her, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

As Evelyn turned toward the car, Nathan finally snapped. He lunged forward to stop her.

Evelyn was no longer someone he could casually touch.

His outstretched hand hovered uselessly before dropping to his side.

"Answer me one thing," he rasped.

Evelyn turned, her expression glacial.

"When you married me under false pretenses... was it only because of our families' history?"

Nathan's lips trembled. He drank in her features as if memorizing them for eternity.

"Yes." The single word left Evelyn's lips like a death sentence.

"Then why?" Nathan's voice cracked, his bloodshot eyes pleading. "You're the Monarch Group heiress—wealthy beyond need. You knew our marriage was contractual. You knew we had no future... Why agree to marry me at all?"