Chapter 401

Nathan's face remained an unreadable mask as he spoke with deliberate precision. "Absolutely satisfied. This outcome aligns perfectly with my expectations."

Leonard's expression darkened like gathering storm clouds, his fury barely restrained. "Splendid! Marvelous! Just don't come crying with regrets later!" he snapped, exhaling sharply through flared nostrils.

"That won't be necessary," Nathan replied icily, his composure unshaken.

"Do you honestly believe Evelyn pushed Serena down those stairs?" Leonard demanded abruptly.

Nathan met his father's piercing gaze without flinching. "My own eyes witnessed her reaching out at that precise moment."

"She was trying to pull Serena back, not push her!" Leonard countered instantly, his voice rising.

Nathan remained silent, his features carefully schooled into neutrality. Leonard's frustration mingled with weary resignation as he studied his son. "After all these years of marriage, do you truly not know Evelyn's character? Can you genuinely picture her committing such violence?"

The silence stretched between them, though a faint crease appeared between Nathan's brows. Leonard released a bitter chuckle laced with sarcasm. "Now I understand why Evelyn was so determined to divorce you. You've never trusted her, not for a single moment."

Nathan's pupils contracted sharply at the accusation. Was that true? Had trust always been absent between them? The realization struck him like a physical blow.

Before he could respond, Leonard continued in a lowered voice, "But what's done is done. The divorce papers are signed; dwelling on it serves no purpose. Nathan, I want you to seriously consider - is this truly the outcome you desired?"

"Don't answer me now. Just think about it carefully." With those final words, Leonard rose and ascended the stairs, leaving Nathan alone in the cavernous living room.

Nathan sat motionless, stunned, as if caught in a thick fog. Only after several long minutes did he shake himself from his daze. His brow furrowed in troubled thought before he forcibly pushed the disturbing reflections aside and headed upstairs.

The moment he entered the master bedroom, an unsettling emptiness assaulted his senses. Evelyn's vanity stood barren - all her skincare and makeup products gone. His pulse quickened as he strode toward the walk-in closet.

Throwing open the doors, his breath caught. Every single garment belonging to Evelyn had vanished. She... she'd packed everything so thoroughly, so quickly. Was she that desperate to escape their home? White-hot rage surged through his veins.

Perfect! This was exactly what he'd wanted, wasn't it? Then why did fury burn through him instead of relief? He should be celebrating his newfound freedom!

Nathan slammed the closet doors with enough force to rattle the walls and stormed out. That night, Evelyn didn't return to the Black mansion. Instead, she found herself at Eleanor Sinclair's residence.

Eleanor looked up in surprise when Evelyn appeared. "Darling, what brings you here?" she asked, immediately noticing Evelyn's red-rimmed eyes.

The simple question made tears well up again. Evelyn sniffled, her voice trembling. "Grandmother, may I stay with you tonight?"

Eleanor's heart clenched at her granddaughter's distress. "Of course, my dear. You'll stay right here with me."

After Evelyn had washed up and settled into bed, Eleanor gently probed, "Now tell me what's happened."

Propped against the headboard, Evelyn kept her gaze lowered as she spoke with forced calm. "Grandmother, Nathan and I... we're divorced now."

Eleanor's face froze. "When did this happen?" she asked, her voice tight with concern.