Chapter 322
Nathaniel turned on his heel and strode toward the operating room without another word.
Evelyn blinked in surprise. The Nathaniel she knew would have immediately taken Victoria’s side, twisting the situation to make her the villain.
She had braced herself for a fight, but his silence was unnerving.
The shock wasn’t hers alone—Beatrice and Victoria stood frozen, equally stunned. Evelyn had been downright defiant moments ago, yet Nathaniel hadn’t so much as flinched.
Done wasting time, Evelyn brushed past them and headed for the operating room.
Beatrice hesitated before murmuring, "We should follow them."
Before they could take a step, a broad-shouldered bodyguard blocked their path.
"Apologies, Mrs. Whitmore," he said firmly. "Mr. Whitmore’s orders—no unauthorized personnel near the operating room."
Victoria’s nails dug into her palms, but she forced a pitiful whisper. "Mrs. Whitmore, what was that document Evelyn had earlier?"
Beatrice patted her arm reassuringly. "Relax, dear. Evelyn isn’t pregnant. That paper is worthless."
She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Once Eleanor’s surgery is over, the waiting period for Nathaniel and Evelyn’s divorce will have passed."
"They’ll be free of each other for good."
Victoria exhaled in relief. As long as Evelyn wasn’t carrying Nathaniel’s heir, that document meant nothing.
Beatrice guided her toward the elevators, murmuring comforts.
Meanwhile, Penelope lingered nearby, suspicion gnawing at her. Cassandra had texted her undeniable proof of Evelyn’s pregnancy earlier.
Yet now, Cassandra wasn’t answering her calls. It was as if she’d vanished.
Was Cassandra avoiding her out of guilt? Had she lied?
Still, Evelyn’s words echoed in Penelope’s mind. If Evelyn was secretly pregnant and had signed that document…
Wouldn’t that give her leverage over the Whitmore fortune?
Would Penelope’s own inheritance be at risk?
No—she needed confirmation.
Outside the operating room, Evelyn stared at the glowing red light, her muscles taut.
She trusted Julian’s skills implicitly, but surgery was unpredictable. Complications could arise.
Eleanor’s life hung in the balance.
Evelyn sank into a chair, whispering prayers under her breath.
Nathaniel joined her moments later, balancing a laptop on his knees, typing briskly.
Their arms brushed.
Evelyn shifted away abruptly.
Nathaniel’s fingers stilled. "Problem?" His voice was deceptively light. "Or is my proximity… inconvenient?"
Evelyn shot him a glare. "Unmarried men and women sitting this close invites gossip."
His jaw tightened. "Afraid of rumors? Or is there someone specific you don’t want seeing us together?"
The thought of Julian performing the surgery darkened his mood. Evelyn’s distance was clearly for his benefit.
Of all the men she could’ve chosen, why him?
The Montgomery family was a labyrinth of power and politics—more complex than even the Whitmores’.
If Evelyn married Julian, she’d face relentless scrutiny from the Montgomery elders.