Chapter 77

The air in the Sterling dining room was thick with unspoken tension.

Lila took her seat across from Evelyn, her smile never wavering as she engaged Nathan in polite conversation. "Nathan, I heard BergWind just secured the Montgomery project. That’s incredible!"

Nathan gave a noncommittal hum, his attention seemingly elsewhere.

Victor, eager to impress, chimed in. "Mr. Black’s business acumen is unmatched! Isn’t that right, Evelyn?"

Evelyn stabbed a piece of asparagus with more force than necessary. "Mm."

Grace, ever the peacemaker, quickly changed the subject. "Evelyn, darling, how’s work at the hospital?"

Before Evelyn could answer, Lila cut in with a saccharine smile. "Oh, I’m sure she’s doing wonderfully. Though, I did hear there was some… drama recently?"

Evelyn’s grip on her fork tightened.

Nathan’s gaze sharpened. "Drama?"

Lila feigned innocence. "Oh, just some silly rumors. Nothing important."

Victor’s eyes darted between them, sensing danger. "Let’s not talk about work at the table, shall we?"

But Nathan wasn’t letting it go. His voice was dangerously calm. "What rumors?"

The room fell silent.

Lila’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Well… people are saying Evelyn was involved in some… questionable decisions regarding a patient."

Evelyn’s blood ran cold.

Nathan’s expression darkened. "Is that so?"

Victor shot Lila a warning look, but she continued, her voice dripping with faux concern. "Of course, I don’t believe a word of it. But you know how people talk."

Evelyn’s chair screeched as she stood abruptly. "Excuse me."

She didn’t wait for a response before storming out of the dining room.

Nathan’s icy voice followed her. "We’re leaving."

Lila’s smile finally cracked.

Evelyn turned to Victor, pressing for an answer, her voice steady but insistent. "Father, what were you going to say to me earlier?"

With Nathan in the room, Victor hesitated, his words caught in his throat. But then, a flicker of determination lit his gaze, and his tone turned sharp. "Tell me, why would you say those things in front of your colleagues at the hospital?"

"Those things?" Evelyn's lips curved into a knowing smile. She tilted her head slightly, feigning innocence. "Father, are you referring to the time you took Lila to meet Mr. Holloway at Grand Oak General, hoping he’d pull strings to secure her a permanent position? What’s wrong with me stating facts? Or are you suggesting it never happened?" Her voice was light, almost playful, but the challenge in her words was unmistakable.

Victor stiffened, momentarily speechless. Lila, who had been listening, felt her cheeks burn with humiliation. How would Nathan see her now?

Victor’s face darkened with anger. "How dare you judge your sister? Lila may not be a permanent staff member yet, but it’s only a matter of time! She was an exceptional student—unlike you, who barely scraped by. You should be grateful your connections got you into Grand Oak General at all. Without them, do you honestly think someone like you would have made it?"

His voice rose, his temper flaring, completely forgetting Nathan’s presence.

Nathan observed the exchange in silence, his expression unreadable. His gaze lingered on Evelyn, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. He knew better than anyone that Grand Oak General didn’t operate on favors alone. Their hiring standards were ruthless, and only genuine skill earned a place there. Clearly, Victor had no idea just how capable Evelyn truly was.

Evelyn merely shrugged, her smile faint but victorious. "Is that so? Funny, then, how I’m the one with a permanent position at Grand Oak General, while Lila remains temporary."

Nathan couldn’t help the amused quirk of his lips. This was a side of Evelyn he hadn’t seen before—bold, unapologetic. She had always idolized Lila, treating her with near reverence. What had changed?

Victor’s face flushed red with fury. He opened his mouth to retaliate, but Evelyn cut in smoothly, her tone deceptively sweet. "Father, perhaps you should lower your voice. My husband is still here, watching."

The reminder struck like a slap. Victor’s mouth snapped shut, his expression twisting with frustration. He had no retort, no way to regain control of the situation.

The air in the room grew thick with tension, the unspoken words hanging heavily between them.