Chapter 149

Victoria Sinclair gazed at Julian Montgomery with pleading eyes. Though she knew she was merely a stand-in for the Montgomery family's lost daughter, she had lived comfortably all these years.

With Alexander Montgomery's approval of her marriage, surely Julian would agree to perform the surgery.

Yet, in the next breath, his voice turned to ice. "No."

Memories of Evelyn Carter working as a caregiver at the Whitmore estate flashed through his mind—how Nathaniel Whitmore had treated her. There was no chance he would associate himself with that family.

Victoria's face paled.

"Why not? Even Alexander agreed!"

"That changes nothing. If you're so desperate to marry Nathaniel, go ahead. I never promised to operate on a Whitmore."

"Julian, are you defying Alexander?"

She hadn't anticipated him refusing.

His expression remained unmoved. "I've made my stance clear. Marry whomever you want, but I won't perform the surgery."

"Julian, if you don't do it, how can I marry Nathaniel?"

"Didn't you claim you two were close? Will he reject you just because I refuse?"

Panic flickered in her eyes as she grabbed his sleeve.

"It's not like that! Why won't you just help Grandma Eleanor? We're family!"

"You brought me home and promised to treat me like your real sister. All these years, I've never asked for anything!"

"It's just one surgery—why are you being so difficult?"

Julian pulled his arm free, disappointment darkening his gaze.

"My decision is final."

He would never operate on a Whitmore. Without another word, he strode out of the consultation room, leaving Victoria behind.

He headed for the emergency exit to make a call.

"Alexander, did you really approve Victoria's marriage to Nathaniel?"

Alexander, in the middle of a meeting, paused. "Yes. I told her as long as she keeps Grandma Eleanor stable, she can marry him."

"She insisted on it yesterday. If that's what she wants, I won't stop her."

"Nathaniel is a snake. He's only marrying her to force me into operating on his grandmother. And Victoria—she may not be our blood, but are we really letting her walk into this?"

"Julian, it's her choice."

A tense silence followed.

"Alexander, you know Evelyn was once a caregiver at the Whitmore estate. And I’m certain Nathaniel still has feelings for her."

"If Victoria marries him, we’ll be forced to interact with them. I won’t risk the Whitmores exposing Evelyn’s past."

Alexander’s brow furrowed. "You're right. If she insists, we’ll sever ties with her legally."

"Good."

Julian ended the call. Victoria had lived in luxury with the Montgomerys long enough.

But Evelyn had suffered for years. She came first now.

He dialed Evelyn immediately.

"Evelyn, I just finished my shift. Where are you?"

"First-floor lounge."

"Wait there. I’ll be right down."

As Evelyn hung up, she glanced up—just in time to see Victoria stepping out of the elevator, her face ashen.

What had shattered her usual arrogance?

Evelyn couldn’t help but wonder—what had Victoria been doing at the hospital?