Chapter 465

Victoria Ashford lowered her gaze, her cheeks burning crimson. M-Mr. Blackwood is in love with Ms. Sinclair. I can't compete.

How could Victoria ever measure up to Evelyn Sinclair? She was nothing but a speck of dirt compared to Evelyn's radiant brilliance. Penelope Ashford let out a cruel laugh.

Can't help it? Didn't your whore of a mother teach you any tricks before she died? If he won't love you willingly, then steal his affection! Penelope shoved Victoria violently against the wall.

The dull thud of Victoria's head hitting the marble echoed through the hallway. What a pathetic sight. Evelyn observed the scene with fleeting pity before hardening her heart.

Not my problem, she thought. A shrill scream pierced the air moments later.

My dress! Penelope's eyes glittered with malice as she grabbed a janitor's bucket filled with filthy mop water and dumped it over Victoria's head. The cruel satisfaction on Penelope's face was unmistakable.

Victoria stood trembling, her designer gown ruined, dirty water dripping from her hair. She hugged herself against the wall, her quiet sobs making her appear even more pitiful.

How can I face anyone like this? Tristan Whitmore's birthday gala was attended by New York's elite - socialites and heirs to fortunes.

Appearing in this wretched state would make her the laughingstock of high society forever. Penelope's high-pitched cackle cut through the air like broken glass.

Why don't you go beg Nathan Blackwood for help? Isn't this your golden opportunity? Penelope had her trapped like a cornered animal.

Evelyn hesitated, torn between walking away and intervening, when she spotted Nathan across the ballroom. He was deep in conversation with Tristan, looking effortlessly handsome in his tuxedo.

Fine. I'll throw the poor girl a lifeline. Evelyn caught Nathan's attention with a wave. "Nathan Blackwood, someone needs you over here." The moment Nathan saw Evelyn, Tristan ceased to exist.

He immediately turned his wheelchair toward her. Tristan rolled his eyes dramatically. "Again? Really?" He followed behind, pushing Nathan's chair out of curiosity.

What could Evelyn possibly want with Nathan? When Evelyn spoke, the Ashford sisters froze mid-argument. She made no effort to hide her presence as she retreated down the corridor. Nathan's expression softened instantly.

"You wanted to see me?" Evelyn shook her head and gestured vaguely down the hall. "Not me. That person does." With that, she strode away in her stilettos. She'd done her good deed for the day.

Both men watched Evelyn's retreating figure in confusion. Nathan shot Tristan a look, signaling him to investigate. "What the hell's going on back there?" Tristan was equally curious.

They rounded the corner to find a drenched, shivering woman curled into a ball on the floor.

Her designer dress was ruined, her makeup streaked with tears. She looked up at them with swollen, pleading eyes - a drowned rat of a socialite.

The empty bathroom hallway offered no witnesses. Such a scene at Tristan's prestigious event was unacceptable. Tristan gaped before turning to Nathan. "Blackwood, Evelyn just left from here. You don't think she...?"

Nathan's face darkened with anger.

He recognized Victoria Ashford immediately, though he couldn't care less about her predicament. What infuriated him was Evelyn directing him to this pathetic scene.

What does any of this have to do with me? Neither man moved to help. Tristan was married - no reason to get involved with a soaking wet woman.

Nathan simply couldn't be bothered. The silence stretched for an excruciating minute. Victoria's tear-filled eyes locked onto Nathan's. "Please...help me..."