Chapter 63

Serena was momentarily stunned into silence by Dylan's words. Yet, she couldn't deny the truth in them—Nathan's past admirers had always been the kind of women society deemed flawless, the kind she could never measure up to.

Despite Dylan's reassurances, unease coiled in her stomach like a restless serpent. They returned to the Thornton estate, a place Serena frequented so often she practically had her own wing.

Dinner that evening started pleasantly enough, the air filled with light chatter and the clinking of silverware. Then, like a sudden storm, Gregory Thornton's phone rang.

Gregory answered mid-bite, his expression shifting from relaxed to thunderous in seconds. His voice boomed across the dining room. "What did you just say?"

The table fell silent. Every pair of eyes locked onto Gregory as he shot to his feet, his knuckles whitening around his phone. "What the hell is going on?" he barked before storming out.

Cassandra, ever composed, gestured for everyone to continue eating. But Dylan didn’t touch his food, his frown deepening as he watched his father disappear down the hall.

Gregory returned moments later, his face dark with fury.

"What happened?" Cassandra asked, her voice steady.

Gregory’s glare landed on Dylan like a guillotine. "What the hell did you do today, Dylan?"

Dylan stiffened.

Cassandra interjected smoothly, "Gregory, explain yourself. What’s going on?"

Gregory exhaled sharply. "Our company was this close to finalizing a multi-million-dollar resort deal with the Donovans. Contracts were ready to sign. Then, just now, Marcus Donovan’s assistant called—they’re pulling out. No explanation, just that I should ask Dylan."

His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "So, Dylan. What did you do to piss off the Donovans?"

Dylan and Serena exchanged stunned looks. The Donovans had acted fast—proof of just how much Evelyn meant to them.

Trapped, Dylan confessed everything—the confrontation, the insults, Evelyn’s true identity.

Gregory’s face turned crimson. He slammed his fist on the table, making the china rattle. "Have you lost your damn mind? Everyone knows how protective Marcus and Olivia are of their goddaughter! And you targeted her?"

Dylan stayed silent. Now that he knew "Evelyn" was actually the Evelyn Hartley, her hostility made sense. That dinner where she’d humiliated him? Payback. But with Cassandra present, he couldn’t exactly admit to his past misdeeds.

Then Serena spoke up, her voice soft but firm. "Uncle Gregory, this is my fault. Dylan was defending me. He didn’t mean to offend her."

She explained the misunderstanding, including Evelyn’s hidden identity.

Gregory and Cassandra stared at them, stunned. After a long silence, Gregory gritted out, "Tomorrow, both of you are coming with me to apologize to the Donovans. And you will make this right with Evelyn Hartley."