Chapter 233

A storm of emotions raged inside him.

The air grew thick with tension as Eleanor, Grace, and Isabelle, standing protectively beside Evelyn, turned their piercing gazes toward Nathan and Serena.

Isabelle was the first to break the suffocating silence, her voice trembling slightly. "Nathan? Wait... Evelyn, didn't you say he was occupied? Too busy with work to join us for dinner?"

Her words trailed off, swallowed by the heavy quiet that followed.

Nathan's eyes flickered to Eleanor, who stood rigid beside Evelyn.

For the first time in his life, panic clawed at his chest.

Now he understood—Evelyn had invited him yesterday because her grandmother was in town.

Damn it.

He hadn’t known.

If he had, he would never have refused her.

He knew how much Eleanor meant to Evelyn.

But he...

He had coldly dismissed her invitation.

Regret burned like fire in his veins.

Evelyn bit her lip, her expression frozen in quiet humiliation.

At that moment, she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Her mind spun, cursing the cruel twist of fate.

Of all places, why did Nathan have to bring Serena here?

Eleanor’s face darkened as her sharp eyes flicked between Nathan and Serena.

But her first concern was Evelyn.

Before anyone could speak, Serena stepped forward, her lips curving into a practiced, apologetic smile.

Her tone was deceptively light as she said, "My apologies, Mrs. Sinclair. I had no idea Nathan had prior commitments. Had I known, I wouldn’t have insisted on dining with him today."

Evelyn felt the words like a slap.

Her cheeks flushed hot, even as her face paled.

Nathan opened his mouth, urgency sharpening his voice. "Eleanor—"

But Eleanor cut him off with an icy glare. "Evelyn, it’s clear where his priorities lie. Let’s not waste another second of his precious time."

She gripped Evelyn’s hand firmly. "Come. We’re leaving."

Without hesitation, Evelyn followed, refusing to glance back at Nathan.

Grace and Isabelle offered him curt nods before trailing after them.