Chapter 165

Nathaniel's sharp words sent an immediate ripple of tension through the Montgomery brothers on the call.

Alexander's face darkened as he scanned the viral tweet. "Andrew, has your legal team formulated a response strategy?" His voice carried an edge of concern.

Andrew's response was clipped and decisive. "We're on it. Finding this anonymous coward is our top priority. They won't escape consequences for this slander."

Within hours, all five brothers mobilized their resources, launching parallel investigations to uncover the source of the damaging allegations.

Meanwhile, Evelyn tossed restlessly in bed, the pounding in her temples making sleep impossible after Nathaniel's unsettling call.

Morning found her mechanically preparing for work, though it was Saturday and the studio should have been empty.

The office buzzed with unusual weekend activity when Evelyn arrived. But as she entered the design floor, an oppressive silence fell over the space.

She didn't need to guess the reason for this icy reception.

Cassandra's mocking voice sliced through the tension. "How brave of you to show your face. Are you really so shameless?"

"Multiple clients are questioning if our studio's success comes from... certain favors." She spat the words with venom. "You're ruining our professional reputations."

Evelyn straightened her shoulders. "These are malicious lies, just like yesterday's rumors. I'm filing a police report today."

At the mention of law enforcement, Cassandra's smirk faltered slightly. After all, she'd been the one to drug Reginald.

Now she was deflecting all blame onto Evelyn.

Would an investigation expose her own crimes?

But remembering Penelope's assurances, Cassandra regained her composure. "Who's to say you're not lying? Your presence here is toxic."

The other female designers exchanged uneasy glances. Such rumors were every professional woman's nightmare.

Jonathan emerged from his office with a troubled expression. "Evelyn, I didn't anticipate this escalating so severely. It's damaging our studio's credibility."

Evelyn offered a tight nod. "I understand completely. I'll handle it."

Her phone's sudden vibration made her heart leap - was it Nathaniel?

The caller ID showed Nathaniel Whitmore instead.

This unexpected development caught her off guard. "Excuse me, I need to take this," she murmured to Jonathan before retreating to the break room.

"Hello?"

"Making tabloid headlines now, Evelyn?" Nathaniel's sardonic tone dripped through the receiver.

In his penthouse office, Nathaniel glared at the trending topic on his screen, his jaw clenched tight.

The scandal involved Oakside Village - the same place Evelyn had mysteriously called him about days earlier without proper explanation.

Clearly, more than a simple game had occurred there that night.

Evelyn's voice turned brittle. "You think I wanted this attention?"

"So you're retreating now? Where's that famous Carter courage? Truth or dare - let's see how far this rabbit hole goes," he taunted.

Despite exhaustive investigations, Nathaniel had hit dead ends. But this viral scandal confirmed one thing - that cryptic call had been a distress signal.

She always spoke in riddles.

Evelyn's bitter laugh echoed down the line. "Congratulations, you've had your fun mocking me. Mission accomplished."

The call ended with a decisive click.

Nathaniel stared at his phone in disbelief before turning to Robert. "That woman is impossible! I shouldn't have bothered." His fist slammed against the desk.