Chapter 324
Beneath Nathaniel's polished aristocratic exterior lurked an unexpectedly cunning mind.
His icy gaze locked onto Evelyn as he commanded, "Evelyn, that's enough."
Most women would have flushed with embarrassment at such dismissal, but not Evelyn.
She met his challenge head-on, her cheeks flushing with indignation.
Never had Nathaniel encountered a woman with such unshakable confidence and sharp tongue!
"You started this," Evelyn countered, crossing her arms. "A clear conscience reflects purity in all things. Your twisted perspective taints everything you see!"
Nathaniel blinked, momentarily stunned into silence.
The argument died abruptly.
As Nathaniel fell quiet, Evelyn lowered her gaze, struggling to compose herself.
This entire confrontation was his fault - his careless words had provoked her unexpected outburst.
An uncomfortable tension settled between them.
Evelyn studied the ceiling, desperate to break the silence. "You still haven't answered my question," she pressed.
Why was she so determined to get an answer?
Nathaniel's fingers hovered over his keyboard, his attention clearly divided.
When Evelyn repeated her question, his throat constricted. "Shouldn't the reason be obvious?"
"Obvious? How would I know?"
Evelyn's confusion deepened. She searched Nathaniel's face for clues, but his expression remained unreadable.
"You seem unusually invested in why I broke off my engagement with Victoria," Nathaniel observed instead.
Evelyn's eyes flashed with irritation before she looked away. "Just making conversation."
"Why the sudden interest?"
She exhaled sharply. "I want ammunition to tease Victoria. This is too perfect an opportunity to pass up."
Nathaniel's eyebrows shot up.
Apparently, he'd completely misread her intentions.
Flushing slightly, Nathaniel turned his attention to the nearby document. "You shouldn't keep this. It's sensitive information that could affect Whitmore Industries' stock prices. The succession issue is delicate."
"I knew you'd say that," Evelyn replied smoothly. "But this document is meaningless. We don't actually have a child together."
Her voice remained steady as she continued, "Besides, our priority has always been ensuring Grandmother Eleanor's surgery goes well."
"Whatever decisions we make during this period... I won't hold them against you later."
Nathaniel nodded slowly, considering her words. "You've changed quite a bit recently."
Seeing Evelyn's true character had forced Nathaniel to reconsider all his initial assumptions about her.
With a careless shrug, Evelyn replied, "I'll be resigning soon anyway, so it hardly matters who you choose to love."
Nathaniel's brow furrowed. "Must you always treat everything so lightly?"
"I could take it seriously," she countered, "but pleasantries cost extra."
A smirk tugged at Nathaniel's lips. "Name your price."
"One hundred dollars per word," Evelyn said airily, already turning away.
To her astonishment, Nathaniel reached for his phone. "Bank transfer or Venmo?"
Evelyn gaped at him. This had been meant as a joke - was he actually serious?
While Evelyn was loosening up, Nathaniel seemed to be developing a surprising playful streak.
As Nathaniel opened his banking app, Evelyn couldn't help exclaiming, "Are you really that desperate for my sweet talk?"