Chapter 80

Evelyn's hands trembled slightly as she rose to her feet, her protests dying on her lips. Grace's expression smoothed into practiced calm as she faced Victor squarely, her voice crisp and deliberate. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear—it was Lila who intentionally dropped that bowl. She was setting me up."

Just as Victor opened his mouth to respond, Lila glided into the dining room. Victor immediately turned his attention to her, his tone laced with concern. "Lila, how are you feeling now?"

"Much better, Father," Lila replied sweetly. Then, with a pointed glance at Evelyn, she added, "Dad, please don't blame Evelyn for this."

"I'm sure it was just an accident. I'm fine now, so let's just move on, alright?" Lila said, her voice dripping with false magnanimity.

Victor stared at her, frustration tightening his jaw. "You're far too forgiving! Evelyn deliberately poured hot soup on you, and you're just going to let it slide? Your leniency will only encourage her to keep behaving this way!"

Lila shook her head gently, her voice soft but calculated. "We're sisters, Dad. As the elder one, it's only right that I show her kindness."

Victor fell silent, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Though furious, he restrained himself—Nathan's presence made any outburst unwise. For now, he'd let Lila's act stand, but Evelyn wouldn't escape consequences forever.

With a heavy exhale, he turned to Evelyn, his gaze sharp as steel. "Well, Evelyn? Aren't you going to apologize to Lila now? Since she's chosen to defend you, we'll let this go—for now. But mark my words, if anything like this happens again, I won't be so forgiving!"

Evelyn scoffed, her voice icy. "Why should I apologize for something I didn't do?" She locked eyes with Lila, her expression unreadable. "You know the truth, Lila. Is this little charade really worth it?"

Lila's face twisted with feigned hurt, her voice trembling. "Evelyn, I already apologized for what happened at the hospital. What more do you want from me? Even if you can't forgive me, there was no need to retaliate like this. It really hurt."

Grace stepped forward then, her voice pleading. "I'm sorry, Lila. Evelyn didn't mean it. Please, don't hold it against her."

"Mother!" Evelyn turned sharply toward Grace, disbelief and betrayal flashing in her eyes. "You don't believe me either?"

Grace looked pained. "Evelyn, please, just listen to me. Apologize to Lila."

Silence stretched between them, Evelyn's gaze hollow as it lingered on Grace. Then, a bitter laugh escaped her—one laced with something dangerously close to despair.

Nathan, watching Evelyn closely, caught the flicker of anguish in her expression. His fingers curled into fists, an unfamiliar surge of protectiveness rising in his chest. He opened his mouth to intervene—

But before he could speak, Evelyn abruptly turned and strode to the dining table. She snatched up a bowl, ladled steaming soup into it, and without hesitation, flung the scalding liquid straight onto Lila's outstretched hand.