Chapter 326
With Eleanor finally cleared for surgery, Evelyn expected Nathaniel to feel relieved about their impending divorce.
Yet to her astonishment, he voiced his wish to remain married, insisting they didn't need to separate.
This unexpected development left Evelyn utterly perplexed.
While Nathaniel appeared willing to give their marriage another chance, Evelyn had moved beyond accepting vague promises.
She refused to wait endlessly for changes that might never come.
Besides, with twins growing inside her, the thought of raising them within the Whitmore family seemed increasingly impossible.
After completing her final exams and earning enough credits, Evelyn planned to join her brothers in Nord City - to deliver her babies and start fresh.
This exit strategy had been part of her preparations for months.
Perhaps Nathaniel had finally seen through Victoria's manipulations and realized Evelyn, despite her perceived simplicity, made the most suitable wife.
That might explain his sudden reluctance to divorce.
Yet Evelyn remained doubtful.
As she mused, a cloying floral scent assaulted her nostrils, unmistakably signaling Penelope's approach.
Evelyn looked up just as Penelope stopped before her, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
"You might want to stand back. That perfume could contaminate the operating theater and distract the surgeons," Evelyn warned.
Penelope scoffed. "Don't play innocent, Evelyn. I know your little secret."
Evelyn's brow furrowed. "Fine, you've uncovered my secret. Since you know everything, could you please move away from the operating area?"
"Can't you smell that? Your perfume's strong enough to cure smoked ham. Or has your nose stopped working?" Evelyn added pointedly.
Furious, Penelope snatched up a nearby legal document. "So this was your plan all along? Keeping it hidden from everyone."
Evelyn glanced at the papers. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Stop pretending!" Penelope spat. "I'll admit your diversion tactics worked brilliantly. You've fooled everyone - even Nathaniel supported this without question."
Her lips curled in contempt. "But your schemes won't work on me, Evelyn. Now that I know, your plan will fail. I won't let you stay in the Whitmore family!"
Evelyn sighed. "Then enlighten me. What exactly have I done? What schemes? Unless you explain, how would I know?"
Penelope leaned in, eyes gleaming. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"
Evelyn's pulse spiked, her pupils contracting as she stared at Penelope.
Had Cassandra betrayed her pregnancy to Penelope?
But that made no sense. Julian had assured Evelyn the matter with Cassandra was resolved.
She trusted Julian implicitly - he wouldn't lie to her.
Quickly regaining composure, Evelyn replied calmly, "Yes, I'm pregnant. Why else would Grandma Eleanor designate my unborn child as Whitmore Group's heir?"
Penelope smirked triumphantly. "Everyone thinks you faked pregnancy to comfort Grandma before surgery. But I'm the only one who knows the truth."
"So was this all part of your scheme? Did you manipulate Grandma into signing those heir documents too?" Penelope's voice grew more animated, convinced of her theory.
She reveled in this moment, certain she'd finally caught Evelyn in an untenable position.
Evelyn cursed inwardly. Though Penelope often acted foolishly, she occasionally displayed surprising perceptiveness.
Now what?
What if Penelope truly possessed evidence from Cassandra?