Chapter 398

Evelyn's and Natalie's gazes followed Alexander's pointed finger.

At a nearby booth, three middle-aged women were seated. One of them was clearly harassing a young man who appeared to be in his late teens, likely a college student. The boy had striking features - sharp cheekbones, tousled dark hair, and an air of quiet dignity about him. The woman beside him was running her manicured fingers along his thigh while attempting to slip her other hand beneath his crisp white shirt.

The young man's ears burned crimson as he repeatedly pushed her hands away, attempting to stand. But the woman - a platinum blonde with too much jewelry - clung to his arm like a limpet. To make matters worse, she pulled out a thick wad of bills from her designer purse and waved them in his face. His expression twisted between humiliation and barely contained fury.

"There goes Vanessa again," Natalie muttered with undisguised contempt. "Preying on young men like some cougar in heat."

"Who is she?" Evelyn asked, her delicate brows knitting together.

"That's Vanessa Delacroix, wife of the Delacroix Group chairman," Natalie explained in a hushed tone. "She's notorious in high society circles. Has a particular... appetite for handsome young men. Once she sets her sights on someone, she won't take no for an answer. Countless boys have fallen victim to her... advances."

Evelyn's normally cheerful expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line of disgust.

Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the restaurant. "You shameless whore! How dare you disgrace me like this!"

All heads turned toward the commotion.

A heavyset man with thinning hair and a florid complexion stormed toward Vanessa's table, his meaty fist raised threateningly.

Vanessa turned deathly pale, scrambling to compose herself. "Darling! Wait, let me explain! I wasn't cheating - he came onto me! The little gold-digger wouldn't take no for an answer even after I told him I was married!"

The young man's eyes widened in outrage. "That's a lie! I'm just a wine steward doing my job! She's been harassing me for the past twenty minutes!"

Vanessa shot him a venomous look before turning back to her husband. "Sweetheart, why would I jeopardize our marriage? He's clearly lying to save face!"

"Yes, Mr. Delacroix, Vanessa would never betray you!"

"The boy's clearly after money - we all saw him proposition her!"

"She's completely devoted to you!"

Vanessa's friends chimed in with practiced ease, spinning their web of lies with sickening synchrony.

"You're all lying!" The young man's voice cracked with barely restrained fury. He turned desperately to nearby diners. "Please, someone tell them the truth! Tell them I didn't do anything!"

"I didn't see anything."

"I was facing the other way."

The other patrons either averted their eyes or murmured vague non-answers. No one stepped forward.

Watching the young man's helpless expression, Evelyn felt a familiar pang in her chest. She knew all too well the sting of false accusations and the crushing weight of being abandoned when you needed help most. Her delicate fingers curled into fists. Without another word, she rose from her seat and strode purposefully toward the unfolding drama.