Chapter 135

Victoria clenched her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She barely resisted the urge to hurl it across the room.

Her assistant’s timid voice came through. "I confirmed with the hospital. He’s not on duty tonight."

"Then why isn’t he answering his damn phone?" Victoria’s irritation flared. "Does he suddenly think he’s too good for dinner with me?"

The truth was, Julian hadn’t outright rejected her. That was why she had orchestrated this dinner—to set her plans in motion.

Yet, he hadn’t shown up.

Her gaze flickered toward the private dining room, where Nathaniel and Beatrice waited.

They were here for him.

If he didn’t come, what then?

She shot her assistant a venomous glare. "I told you to dig up any history between Julian and Nathaniel. Anything?"

The assistant shrank back. "Nothing so far."

Victoria slapped her. "Useless! Incompetent waste! If your incompetence ruins this, I’ll have you all fired!"

The outburst eased some of her frustration.

Taking a deep breath, she smoothed her expression and stepped into the room. "Let’s start without him."

Beatrice shook her head. "We can’t. It’s our first time meeting him. Starting without him would be rude."

Nathaniel’s cold eyes locked onto Victoria. "How much longer?"

If not for Julian’s supposed attendance, he wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.

"Julian wanted to be here," Victoria lied smoothly, "but you know how unpredictable hospitals are. An emergency case came up. He couldn’t just abandon a patient, could he?"

Nathaniel’s piercing stare made her skin prickle with unease.

Beatrice, ever the peacemaker, interjected, "She’s right. He’s a renowned surgeon. Emergencies are part of the job. We can reschedule."

Relief washed over Victoria. "Exactly."

Beatrice smiled. "This isn’t a problem. As long as your brother agrees to the surgery, we’re fine waiting."

Victoria lowered her lashes, feigning calm. "He’s agreed. But he still has… reservations about Nathaniel."

Beatrice sighed. "We can’t change the past. But my son has divorced that woman. Things will return to how they should be."

A sly smile curled Victoria’s lips.

Nathaniel abruptly stood. "Since he’s not coming, I’m leaving."

"At least finish your meal," Beatrice protested.

But he was already striding toward the exit.

Victoria rushed after him. "Nathaniel!"

He didn’t look back.

Her eyes darkened with malice as she watched him go.

She wasn’t giving up. Not yet.

Days later, Evelyn had fully recovered from her illness.

Daniel handed her two tickets with a grin. "Ever been to a charity auction?"

Evelyn eyed them skeptically. "Aren’t those just for the obscenely wealthy?"

"These were meant for a certain A-list actor, but he bailed. So now I’m stuck going." He winked. "Want to join? We’ll just buy a few things and call it a night."