Chapter 93

Natalie Brooks scoffed, her lips curling in disdain. "Who can tell if she's genuinely wasted or just putting on a show?"

Dylan Reeves bristled, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You—" He bit back his words, knowing better than to provoke Natalie given her connections.

Before the tension could escalate, Nathan Black's cold, detached voice sliced through the air. "What are you doing here?" His piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn Hartley.

Evelyn met his stare with unshaken composure. "I spotted someone familiar and thought I'd come say hello."

Dylan seized the opportunity before Nathan could respond. "Well, now that you've done that, you can go."

Evelyn tilted her head slightly, fixing Dylan with a sharp look. "Whether I stay or leave is my choice. Why are you so eager to interfere?"

Dylan faltered, momentarily speechless, before his expression darkened. With a mocking laugh, he sneered, "Oh, how bold you've become since gaining Mr. Caldwell's favor. The great goddaughter of Ethan Caldwell must think she's untouchable now."

Evelyn's eyes turned glacial. "If you know that, then maybe you should learn when to keep quiet."

Dylan clenched his jaw, unable to retort.

Nathan, lounging back in his seat, observed Evelyn with lazy amusement, his dark eyes unreadable. He didn’t miss a single detail—her calculated words, the tension in her posture.

Here to greet them? He almost smirked. That was a lie. She was here because she couldn’t stand seeing Serena Cole draped over him.

Meanwhile, Natalie strode toward Serena, her patience wearing thin. She reached out to shake her awake. "Miss Cole, it's time to let go of Nathan and leave."

But Serena swatted her hand away, groaning, "Don't touch me! Go away… I don’t want anyone else! Nathan… Nathan… only Nathan!"

Her flushed cheeks and slurred words left little doubt—she was undeniably drunk, her eyes fluttering shut as she clung to Nathan’s arm.

Dylan attempted to smooth things over. "Apologies. Serena gets… affectionate when she’s drunk. She just happened to be sitting next to Nathan tonight, so…" He shrugged lightly at Evelyn. "I’m sure you understand, Mrs. Black. Once she sobers up, she’ll let go on her own."

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh—a sharp, humorless sound. The absurdity of Dylan’s excuse was almost impressive.

Natalie shot her a questioning glance, silently asking for direction.

Evelyn stepped forward, her gaze flickering from Serena to Nathan. Nathan met her eyes, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity—what would she do next?

After a beat, Evelyn turned her attention to the wine glass on the table. "It seems Miss Cole is very drunk," she remarked smoothly.

"Obviously," Dylan muttered.

But just as Theodore Whitmore—Nathan’s ever-watchful friend—wondered if Evelyn would back down, she picked up the glass and, without hesitation, flung its contents straight into Serena’s face.

"AHHH!" Serena shrieked, jolting upright as the wine dripped down her cheeks and soaked her hair. She blinked rapidly, disoriented and gasping.