Chapter 486

The biting sarcasm in those words was impossible to miss!

Wasn't this a direct challenge to Lawrence's integrity?

Nathan couldn't suppress a faint smirk, while Leonard and Penelope's faces darkened immediately.

Grandfather Reginald!

At that moment, Reginald's assistant Marcus Underwood rushed in. "Ms. Kingsley has arrived."

Nathan's heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening involuntarily.

All eyes turned toward the entrance with complex expressions.

Click. Click. Click.

The sharp staccato of designer heels against marble floors seemed to pierce straight through Nathan's chest.

Evelyn entered the grand hall where she'd once lived for three years, yet the regal, icy aura surrounding her now made it seem like her first visit.

For a fleeting moment, Nathan felt suspended in time.

As if their divorce papers had never been signed.

"Grandfather Reginald, I'm here!"

Evelyn's radiant smile was reserved solely for the patriarch as she glided past everyone without a glance.

When she passed Nathan, there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her stride—as though they were perfect strangers.

Nathan inhaled sharply, his hands clenching into unseen fists. His pulse hammered violently even as his heart sank like a stone.

Every encounter with his ex-wife since the divorce felt like exquisite torture, leaving him emotionally ravaged.

"Evelyn Kingsley!"

Cassandra practically vibrated with rage at Evelyn's flawless appearance. Only Penelope's restraining grip prevented her from launching herself at Evelyn right then.

"Oh, Law! What a pleasant surprise!"

Evelyn paused unexpectedly when passing Lawrence, her smile taking on a knowing edge.

Lawrence stiffened visibly.

The entire room seemed to hold its breath.

"Law?" The intimate nickname made everyone question the nature of their relationship.

"Ms. Kingsley, it's been some time." Lawrence forced a polite smile, deliberately using formal address.

"Indeed. Five or six years since you last visited my father, wasn't it? He mentioned you recently." Evelyn's gaze slid meaningfully to Leonard's shocked expression. "Our families go way back, Chairman Blackwood. I remember Uncle Walter bringing you and Gregory to our estate when we were children. Pity we lost touch over the years."

Lawrence's smile grew strained, his ears burning crimson.

Evelyn's casual words wrapped around his throat like invisible nooses!

The last thing he wanted publicized was his family's past reliance on the Kingsleys. He barely admitted to himself that his current status was built on their patronage.

Lawrence craved true power—to expand his influence and elevate his family's standing. To do that, he needed to escape the Kingsleys' long shadow.

"Mr. Pembroke, I wasn't aware you were so... acquainted with the Kingsleys," Leonard remarked pointedly.

"My father briefly served as legal counsel for Monarch Group, but that ended years ago. We've had no contact since," Lawrence hurried to clarify, putting deliberate distance between their families.

"Law—no, Mr. Pembroke."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed, her smile frosting over. "Surely you recall the difficulties your family faced when Uncle Walter retired from the bench. Without my father's intervention..." She let the implication hang. "We've never sought repayment for that kindness. But collaborating with outsiders against me?"

Her crimson lips curved into a glacial smile. "Is ingratitude part of your legal code of ethics now?"