Chapter 72

Penelope Whitmore feigned concern, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Victoria, darling, what on earth happened to your hand?"

Cassandra Blackwood stepped forward dramatically. "Don't be frightened, Victoria. Just tell us everything. We won't tolerate anyone mistreating you!" Her performance as Victoria's defender was almost convincing.

Victoria trembled in Nathan Blackwood's embrace, casting a venomous glance at Evelyn Carter. "I... I encountered Ms. Carter in the restroom..."

Evelyn leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on her lips as she watched the theatrics unfold.

Nathan's jaw tightened when he saw Evelyn's indifferent expression.

"I knew Ms. Carter disliked me," Victoria continued with practiced fragility, "so I tried greeting her first, hoping we could move past our differences... But she rejected my olive branch. Things escalated, and before I knew it..."

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh aloud at the ridiculous accusation.

Nathan's frustration grew at the sound of her laughter.

"When I tried to leave," Victoria's voice quivered, "Ms. Carter grabbed my wrist violently. In the struggle, her bracelet broke when it hit the floor. She became so angry about the bracelet that she..." Victoria let the implication hang in the air.

Evelyn's eyes flashed with anger. The audacity of this woman to twist the truth so blatantly!

She laughed because the absurdity of the situation was almost comical - Victoria was actually trying to frame her for self-inflicted injuries.

"Are you saying Ms. Carter did this to you?" Penelope gasped theatrically, though she'd been the one coaching Victoria backstage.

Richard Sterling exploded with rage. "You harmed my daughter?" He jabbed a finger at Evelyn. "How dare you! If you have issues, use your words like an adult! Victoria is a concert pianist - her hands are her livelihood! If she can't perform because of this, even your connections to the Kingsley family won't protect you!"

Evelyn flinched as the words struck a nerve.

She inhaled sharply, her own broken little finger - courtesy of Nathan years ago - throbbing with phantom pain. That injury had ended her piano career permanently.

Yet here they were, blaming her for Victoria's schemes.

Who would answer for what had been taken from her?

"Wait! Hold on!" Julian Montgomery interjected urgently, alarmed by Evelyn's uncharacteristic silence under the barrage of accusations. "However tragic Ms. Sterling's story sounds, it's still just one side. Shouldn't we hear Ms. Carter's version? While there are no cameras in restrooms, perhaps other guests were present? We should look for witnesses."

Cassandra's attention immediately shifted to Julian, her mouth hanging open stupidly, momentarily forgetting her role in the drama.

Evelyn blinked in surprise at Julian's unexpected defense. She finally lifted her gaze to meet his.

Julian's heart swelled when Evelyn acknowledged him, a warm sensation spreading through his chest.

Their brief moment of silent understanding was misinterpreted by Nathan, whose hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"There were no witnesses," Evelyn stated flatly. "We were alone."

Julian frowned, realizing the difficulty of disproving Victoria's claims. "Then who else could have—"

"My daughter would never harm herself!" Margaret Sterling shrieked. "Victoria has always been terrified of pain!"

Victoria buried her face in Nathan's chest to hide her smug expression at the lack of counter-evidence.

"Nathan." Evelyn's voice was ice. "Are you seriously asking if I did this?"

Her heart sank as she waited for his response, fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms.

Julian facepalmed internally. Of all times for Nathan to finally speak up...

Nathan felt an unexpected pang seeing the hurt flash in Evelyn's eyes before she masked it.

He'd judged too quickly.

As CEO, he prided himself on impartiality - but Evelyn's public humiliation at the auction still stung, clouding his objectivity.

Evelyn took a deep breath, then smiled brilliantly. "What if I did? Planning to make me pay for it?" The challenge in her voice was unmistakable.