Chapter 112
Evelyn emerged from the restaurant, her gaze immediately drawn to the polished chrome finish of a Bentley Continental parked along the curb. A faint spark of expectation lit in her chest - had Nathaniel arrived already?
After a brief hesitation, Evelyn turned to Sophia. "Go ahead with the others. I need to use the ladies' room before we leave."
Doubling back into the establishment, Evelyn concealed herself near the hostess stand for nearly fifteen minutes. She waited until she was certain most of her classmates had departed before making her exit.
Her phone vibrated abruptly.
Answering, Nathaniel's rich baritone filled her ear. "Come outside."
"I'm coming," Evelyn responded.
Stepping through the restaurant doors with deliberate nonchalance, Evelyn noted the absence of her peers. She quickened her pace toward the waiting luxury vehicle, slipping inside with practiced ease.
Nathaniel's eyes narrowed. "Since when do college reunions involve social obligations?" he questioned sharply.
Evelyn adjusted the strap of her purse. "It was just a casual dinner with former classmates after lectures. Hardly a formal engagement," she countered smoothly.
The drive home passed in weighted silence, the tension between them thickening with each passing mile.
As anticipated, Victoria Hawthorne hovered near the entrance when they arrived. Nathaniel showed no particular interest in Evelyn's whereabouts or activities - his indifference as palpable as ever.
In the following days, Evelyn maintained her rigorous academic schedule with military precision. Between lectures and study sessions, she barely had time to breathe, let alone dwell on personal matters.
While buried in research materials at the library, Evelyn's phone buzzed with Elizabeth's reminder. "Don't forget about the awards ceremony this afternoon."
"I've got it marked," Evelyn assured her.
Prudently, she set multiple phone alarms to ensure she wouldn't miss the important event.
En route to the auditorium, Cassandra Ellington materialized before her, eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "Evelyn," she purred, "I know your little secret."
Evelyn's brow furrowed. Their relationship had always been fraught, and time had done nothing to improve it.
"That luxury car that picked you up last week near the bistro," Cassandra pressed. "Who was that distinguished older gentleman?"
A flicker of tension crossed Evelyn's features.
Despite her precautions, she hadn't anticipated such scrutiny of her movements.
Cassandra's smirk widened. "Let's be honest, Evelyn. Did you really leave school because of family financial troubles?" Her voice dripped with faux concern. "Or was it something more... lucrative with your wealthy benefactor?"
Evelyn's gaze turned glacial. "After all this time, you're still the same petty gossip, Cassandra. No wonder people talk about you the way they do."
"What are you implying?" Cassandra hissed. "Explain yourself!"
Ignoring the outburst, Evelyn strode confidently into the auditorium where she found her name elegantly calligraphed on a reserved seat.
Returning to this academic environment felt surreal, like stepping into an alternate reality.
As she surveyed the venue, Theodore Winslow entered with his entourage.
Among them stood Nathaniel, his tailored navy suit accentuating his commanding presence.
Evelyn's breath caught - seeing him on campus was the last thing she'd expected.
The world truly worked in mysterious ways.
Taking her place among the honorees, Evelyn noticed a starstruck student beside her whisper, "You're Evelyn Carter, aren't you? The Evelyn Carter?"
With modest grace, Evelyn demurred, "I'm just a student like everyone else."
"Could I please get your autograph?" another admirer begged.
Soon, Evelyn found herself surrounded by a cluster of eager students, their attention momentarily distracting her from the proceedings.
Nathaniel's sharp gaze found Evelyn amidst the crowd.
He hadn't realized she commanded such admiration on campus.
His attention shifted to the young man seated beside Evelyn, noting how attentively he fetched her water and snapped photographs. An unfamiliar tightness formed in Nathaniel's chest.
Noticing Nathaniel's focus, Theodore interjected, "Mr. Whitmore, that young woman took first prize in the Fleur International Design Competition. Would you care to meet her?"