Chapter 143

Nathaniel dropped the bombshell and left without hesitation.

Victoria's perfect facade cracked instantly. She rushed after him, heels clicking frantically against the marble floor. "Nathaniel, wait! Julian promised to do the surgery! He's just swamped with his concert tour right now!"

She grabbed his arm desperately. "We've already set the engagement date. If you cancel now, he'll think-"

He turned with glacial indifference, his gaze freezing her words mid-sentence. "Victoria Sinclair, let's not pretend this engagement was ever real. It was always just a transaction. Remember your place."

"I know that," she whispered, nails digging into her palms.

"Good. Since Julian clearly has no intention of honoring our agreement, consider our deal terminated." He shook off her grip with effortless disdain.

Victoria stood frozen, crimson nails now drawing blood from her own flesh. All her carefully laid plans - ruined because of that nobody!

Penelope appeared at her side. "Don't distress yourself, Ms. Sinclair."

"That Carter girl," Victoria hissed through clenched teeth. "Nathaniel actually has feelings for her. He wants to call everything off!"

Penelope's eyes flashed dangerously. "A gold-digging nobody stealing your future husband? Unacceptable. Leave her to me - I'll ensure she disappears from Nathaniel's life permanently."

Victoria lowered her head, the picture of heartbreak. But beneath the curtain of her golden hair, something far darker than sorrow twisted her perfect features.

...

Meanwhile, Evelyn sat in Daniel's Lamborghini, turning the dazzling necklace over in her hands. "Daniel, this is too much. I can't possibly accept something this expensive."

The twelve-million-dollar diamond pendant glittered mockingly in the afternoon light.

Daniel didn't even glance up from the road. "Relax. That actor has more money than sense. If anyone asks, we'll say he donated it to charity."

"But what if he realizes you took it?"

"Julian won't care. We're practically brothers." His casual tone didn't match the tension in his grip on the steering wheel.

Evelyn frowned but couldn't pinpoint what felt off about the situation.

Back home, she paced nervously, trying to decide where to hide the extravagant jewelry. Every spot seemed too exposed for something so valuable.

Meanwhile, Daniel sprawled across the living room couch, typing rapidly in their family group chat: "Just dropped 12 mil on a diamond necklace for Evelyn."

Alexander responded first: "Since when do auction necklaces cost that much?"

Daniel recounted his bidding war with Nathaniel.

Julian chimed in: "Serves that divorced Whitmore right for eyeing our Evelyn! Should've bankrupted the bastard."

Alexander sent a thumbs-up emoji. "Agreed."

Olivia peered over Alexander's shoulder at his phone. "This 'divorced Whitmore'... why does that name sound familiar?"

Before Alexander could answer, his phone buzzed with an incoming call from Victoria.

Olivia's lips thinned. "Answer it. It's about Nathaniel, isn't it?"

Clearing his throat, Alexander accepted the call. "Victoria?"

"Alexander, have you and Olivia eaten yet?" Her voice was suspiciously sweet.

"We have. What do you need?"

A shaky breath came through the line. "Alexander... I need to ask you for a favor."

She continued in a carefully measured tone, "Didn't you promise to treat me like a sister after I took care of Eleanor? That you'd always support me after my marriage?"

The silence stretched uncomfortably before Alexander finally replied, "Yes."