Chapter 13

Margaret Evans took a graceful sip of coffee, her manicured fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Evelyn, in elite marriages, it's perfectly normal for men to have mistresses. As long as the wife's position remains secure, nothing else matters."

Today's meeting was specifically arranged to educate her future daughter-in-law.

Evelyn Langley responded with a cold laugh, setting her cup down sharply.

"Mrs. Evans, I appreciate your 'concern.' But Nathan and I have already broken up. Let's pretend we don't know each other from now on."

Margaret's face darkened instantly.

Evelyn had tolerated her future mother-in-law's harsh treatment for Nathan's sake. Now that she'd discarded Nathan himself, why would she care about his mother?

"One more thing," Evelyn turned back before leaving, "I'd advise against speaking so maliciously in the future."

"Someone might punch you."

She dropped this casual remark before walking into the Harvard library.

Margaret trembled with rage. "Who does she think she is?!"

Isabella Evans quickly steadied her mother. "Mom, did she really break up with Nathan?"

"Don't be naive," Margaret scoffed.

Everyone knew Evelyn had been desperately in love with Nathan.

......

Inside Harvard's library, Evelyn randomly pulled a bioinformatics book from the shelf.

Adrian Klein's name stood out boldly on the cover.

Opening it, she found an elegant inscription: "All knowledge is interconnected, disciplines know no boundaries."

She couldn't help smiling.

Only that polymath genius could declare interdisciplinary research so matter-of-factly.

Her growling stomach startled her—lunchtime had long passed.

As she exited the library, Sophia Laurent's call came through.

"Nathan came looking for you yesterday!" The urgent voice crackled through the phone. "You didn't run into him, did you?"

"No." Evelyn's tone remained calm.

"Good. Listen, can you do me a favor tonight?"

......

Meanwhile, Margaret stormed into Evans Corporation headquarters.

"Did you see Evelyn's attitude?" She slammed the desk upon entering. "How dare she speak to me like that!"

Nathan frowned. "You met her at the library?"

"She claims you've broken up?" Margaret's eyes narrowed suddenly.

Nathan instinctively denied it. "Impossible."

"Exactly!" Margaret sneered. "A social climber like her would never let go of this golden opportunity."

Nathan loosened his tie irritably.

After ushering his mother out, he texted Dylan Lowell: Need gift ideas for Chloe's birthday.

They met at SKP Mall's jewelry section.

"This heart pendant necklace suits young women perfectly," the sales associate recommended enthusiastically.

Dylan suddenly gasped. "Evelyn?"

Evelyn was collecting Sophia's custom jewelry order. At the sound of her name, she turned.

Nathan's spine stiffened instantly.