Chapter 178

Evelyn was still reeling from Lucas's sudden outburst, her mind struggling to catch up.

When Natalie spoke, she blinked, dazed.

All eyes were on her.

The silence was suffocating, thick with tension. Even someone oblivious would sense something was off.

"Penelope told me about their engagement. She even showed me a photo of her father with Mr. Blackwood," Evelyn said, turning to Penelope for support.

But Penelope only glanced at Nathan Blackwood, who remained silent, unmoved.

He didn’t intervene as Natalie questioned her in front of everyone.

This wasn’t a room full of gossip reporters.

Their judgmental stares were humiliation enough.

Penelope bit her lip, scrambling for an excuse.

"Maybe it was just a misunderstanding between our families. A joke taken too seriously. Please don’t think much of it, Ms. Montgomery and Mr. Blackwood."

Lucas scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"So, it was all a lie? People really have the audacity to fake engagements now? Standards for liars have truly plummeted."

Penelope paled.

As a public figure, this scandal could ruin her. Before she could defend herself, Natalie yawned.

Lucas immediately took her purse, slinging an arm around her shoulders.

"Let’s go home. These people aren’t worth our time."

Natalie nodded, glancing at Isabella.

"Coming?"

"Obviously." Isabella grabbed her things, following them out.

Once they left, Penelope rushed to Nathan, desperation in her voice.

"Mr. Blackwood, I only mentioned the engagement because my family brought it up. I was waiting for confirmation—"

Nathan cut her off coldly.

"There is no engagement. Don’t delude yourself."

His words were a bucket of ice water, dousing her fantasies.

It would never happen.

Penelope’s face drained of color as Nathan strode after Evelyn without a backward glance.

"Evelyn!"

Penelope clenched her fists, forcing a laugh.

"Honestly, I’m relieved. My career is booming—directors are lining up for me. The engagement pressure was suffocating. Now I don’t have to worry about offending Mr. Blackwood."

Tristan smirked at her pathetic attempt to save face but said nothing, turning to leave.

Nathan caught up just as Evelyn slid into Lucas’s passenger seat.

"I’ll take you home," he said stiffly, glaring at Lucas.

Evelyn didn’t even look at him.

"No need."

"I want to discuss the car repairs," Nathan pressed.

Evelyn rested her head against the window, the cool breeze clearing her mind.

"Just send me the bill. I’ll buy you a new one."

That would end this ridiculous back-and-forth.

Nathan’s jaw tightened.

"I don’t want a new car. I want that one fixed."

Evelyn laughed dryly.

"Then name your price."

Nathan hesitated.

Once he did, he’d have no reason to see her again.

Lucas honked impatiently, smirking.

"Mr. Blackwood, you got dumped. Stop making a scene."

Nathan’s gaze turned glacial.

He hadn’t forgotten finding Lucas half-naked in Evelyn’s apartment. The memory burned.

"Stay out of this, Lucas," he warned, voice dangerously low.

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Just email me the invoice."

She turned to Lucas.

"Drive."

Lucas winked.

"Your wish is my command."

They sped off, leaving Nathan standing in the cold.