Chapter 138

Nathaniel turned his head sharply, his voice laced with icy disapproval. "Mind your manners, Penelope Whitmore. Years of upbringing wasted if this is how you behave. No amount of perfume can mask that foul attitude of yours."

Penelope gaped at him, stunned. "Nathaniel!"

"If you can't speak properly, then stay silent. You're embarrassing yourself." His words were cutting as he strode away without another glance.

Victoria hesitated for only a moment before following him.

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Daniel were still searching for their seats.

Daniel studied her carefully. "Evelyn, tell me the truth—did they treat you poorly when you worked for the Whitmores?"

Her lashes flickered downward briefly. "No. Mrs. Whitmore was kind to me. No one dared to mistreat me."

"But the way Penelope acted just now—I can tell she wasn't exactly welcoming." His jaw tightened. "Don't worry. I'll make sure she regrets it."

"It's not like that, Daniel," Evelyn said quickly, not wanting him to provoke the Whitmores on her behalf.

This was exactly why she hadn’t told her brothers about her marriage to Nathaniel.

How could she stand by and let Daniel retaliate against Penelope? No matter how spiteful Penelope was, she was still a Whitmore.

Just as Evelyn opened her mouth to dissuade him, she caught sight of Nathaniel approaching. Her lips pressed together in silence.

Daniel followed her gaze, noticing the two empty seats beside them.

He scoffed under his breath. "What are the odds?"

Some things felt like fate, as if the universe itself had orchestrated them.

Evelyn stiffened slightly as Nathaniel took the seat beside her, Victoria settling next to him.

She could just barely catch the faintest trace of his cologne—so subtle she might have missed it if she weren’t paying attention.

It was the scent she had chosen for him, believing it would suit him perfectly.

Yet, he had never worn it before. Just like the suits she had picked out—untouched, unworn.

Her breath hitched when she recognized the fragrance.

Nathaniel was acting out of character today.

Not only was he dressed in the light-colored suit she had selected, but he was also wearing the cologne she had crafted for him.

A strange mix of emotions swirled inside her, leaving her unsettled.

Victoria, noticing Evelyn’s presence, decided to strike up a conversation. "Nathaniel, you’re different today. Light colors and cologne? That’s new."

His reply was stiff. "No."

"Don’t be modest," Victoria teased. "There’s nothing wrong with a man wearing cologne. And this one suits you. What brand is it?"

"I don’t know." His tone was flat.

Evelyn glanced at him discreetly. Of course he didn’t know—she had blended it herself, experimenting until she’d perfected the scent.

There was only one bottle of it in existence.

Before long, an overpowering floral perfume invaded their senses. It didn’t take a genius to guess who had arrived.

Penelope sat directly behind them, her furious gaze locked onto Daniel.

She couldn’t fathom how Evelyn had managed to attract such a distinguished man so quickly. Were all these men blind?

The auction was about to begin.

Victoria shot Evelyn a pointed look. "Ms. Carter, this must be your first time at an auction. Don’t be nervous."

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her bidding paddle.

Daniel’s temper flared instantly.