Chapter 296

Even among those who knew Evelyn Hartley well, her arrival never failed to take their breath away. Her beauty was so radiant, so utterly mesmerizing, that it commanded attention wherever she went.

"I've always thought Nathan and Evelyn would make the perfect couple!"

"Absolutely! They complement each other so well."

"Honestly, at this point, they might as well just announce their engagement!"

Nathan Black, overhearing the whispers, stiffened. A dark, icy aura radiated from him, chilling the air around him. He had deliberately chosen a deep blue suit for the evening—one that matched Evelyn’s gown—accentuating his sculpted frame. His sharp, aristocratic features only heightened his striking presence.

Standing beside him, Theodore Whitmore noticed his friend’s stormy expression and nearly rolled his eyes. Before he could comment, however, the murmurs in the room swelled again—this time, laced with disdain.

"Can you believe she actually showed up?"

"Talk about shameless."

"If I were her, I’d never show my face in public again!"

Nathan and Theodore both turned toward the entrance, where Serena Cole and Dylan Reeves had just stepped into the grand hall.

Serena walked in with her head held high, though the weight of the room’s judgment pressed down on her. Dylan shot her a concerned glance, his jaw tight. He had tried to dissuade her from coming, knowing full well the venom she would face. But Serena had refused to hide. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life cowering—she had to face the world eventually.

Spotting a quiet corner, Dylan guided her toward it, deliberately steering clear of Nathan. The last thing they needed was another confrontation.

Meanwhile, Natalie Brooks leaned in toward Evelyn, her voice dripping with mockery. "I can’t believe she actually dared to show up. She really has no shame, does she?"

Evelyn was slightly taken aback by Serena’s presence as well. She had to admit—the woman had nerve.

"But Leonard Grant is truly impressive," Natalie continued, admiration coloring her tone. "Stepping in to clean up his son’s mess with the mistress? That takes guts."

After a pause, she added, "You’re so lucky to have a father-in-law like him."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Yes, I’ve always considered myself fortunate in that regard."

But inwardly, her heart ached. Soon, she wouldn’t be Leonard’s daughter-in-law anymore. The thought made her lower her gaze, her fingers tightening around her glass.

As the banquet officially began, the host of the evening, Edmund Sterling, took the stage to deliver his opening speech. Afterward, his daughter, Giselle Sterling, stepped forward to address the guests.

While Giselle spoke, Natalie leaned in again, her voice hushed with gossip. "Did you know Giselle went abroad because she was chasing after some guy she was obsessed with?"

Evelyn blinked in surprise. "She went that far for love?"