Chapter 97

Evelyn's sobs echoed through the phone line.

Nathan's knuckles turned white around his phone. He knew Reginald had never approved of Victoria, but using the old man against her? How despicable could she be?

The man's dark eyes flickered with barely contained rage. Victoria's frantic words barely registered in his mind.

The woman before him was crying so hard her shoulders shook. Yet he could feel the raw pain behind each tear. Every drop that fell carved another wound in his heart.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? You're scaring me!" Reginald had witnessed many things, but never his precious Evelyn in such distress.

"I...I broke the bracelet!" Her voice cracked. "I've tried everything to fix it, but nothing worked! So I thought...maybe I could make a new one because I was terrified you'd be disappointed in me. I'm so sorry, Grandpa! I lied to you!"

Her petite frame trembled violently. Tears streamed down her flushed cheeks, dripping onto her clenched hands.

She looked utterly shattered.

Nathan stood frozen, listening to her broken confession.

Suddenly, everything made sense - her mysterious disappearances these past days, the faint calluses marring her delicate fingers. She'd been desperately trying to restore his grandfather's gift.

Her tears burned through him like acid, spreading anguish through every vein.

"Evelyn, my dear, it's just a bracelet!" Reginald squeezed her hand, his own eyes moist. "Truth be told, I noticed its absence the moment you arrived. I assumed it had broken or gotten lost. But these trinkets mean nothing compared to your happiness! Your grandmother left crates of jade pieces. She always joked they were too cumbersome - made me promise not to bury them with her!"

Evelyn's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, though tears still clung to her lashes. The tip of her nose remained an adorable shade of pink.

"Nathan! Where is that rascal?" Reginald banged his wheelchair armrest. "Get in here and comfort your wife this instant!"

"Nathan, don't you dare hang up!" Victoria's shrill voice pierced through the phone. "We're not finished!"

"Something requires my attention. We'll talk later."

The line went dead before she could protest.

Victoria stared at the darkened screen, her chest heaving. Rage twisted her beautiful features.

"Evelyn Carter, you scheming whore! I'll make sure you die screaming!"

Her fingers flew across the screen as she dialed Penelope.

"Aunt Penelope! That bitch Evelyn is at Cliffside Manor with Nathan!" Victoria wailed dramatically. "He hung up on me! Do you know what this means? All your years training me will be wasted if I don't become a Blackwood!"

She knew mere pleading wouldn't suffice. Penelope needed to feel personally threatened.

"Victoria, compose yourself," came the measured reply. "Forcing Nathan will only backfire, especially after the...unfortunate incident with Evelyn. Even with childhood bonds, you mustn't test his patience."

"Then what should I do?" Victoria whimpered.

"Play the victim - but ensure Nathan witnesses your suffering." Penelope's voice dripped venom. "With my guidance, that Kingsley trash doesn't stand a chance. She'd need another lifetime to best us!"

Nathan's imposing frame filled the study doorway.

"Grandfather. You summoned me."

"Deaf as well as stupid, are you?" Reginald snapped. "Didn't you hear Evelyn crying? Would you have left her suffering if I hadn't called you?"

For Evelyn's smile, Reginald would gladly sacrifice his grandson.

"Of course not."