Chapter 18

Dr. Samuel Reynolds, the Whitmore family physician, arrived in haste.

Nathaniel's eyes darkened as he examined the angry blisters marring Evelyn's delicate hand. "Must I repeat myself?" he snapped. "Sit down this instant!"

Evelyn moved toward the sofa, but Beatrice roughly pushed her aside. "Stop obstructing the doctor! Samuel, examine Victoria's injury immediately. We can't risk any scarring on her perfect skin."

Victoria lounged on the couch, smirking triumphantly at Evelyn.

Evelyn remained frozen in place, her expression carefully blank. Nathaniel glanced at her briefly before looking away.

Samuel set down his medical kit and inspected Victoria's wrist. Finding only slight redness without broken skin, he frowned. "This requires no medical attention."

"How dare you say that?" Beatrice shrilled. "What if complications arise from delayed treatment? Would you take responsibility for ruining her flawless skin?"

Adjusting his glasses, Samuel countered, "The redness will fade within thirty minutes. Ms. Carter's burns, however, require immediate care to prevent permanent scarring."

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room.

Victoria forced a gracious smile. "Let him treat her first, Mrs. Whitmore. I can wait."

"Absolutely not!" Beatrice exclaimed. "She's just some charity case! What does it matter if she scars?"

"Unlike you, darling," Beatrice continued, patting Victoria's hand, "whose brothers would storm this house if they thought we neglected you."

Victoria's smile turned saccharine. "I'd never tell them, Mrs. Whitmore."

Beatrice rounded on Evelyn. "You heard that? Ms. Sinclair is being merciful! Thank her properly!"

Evelyn's voice remained ice-cold. "I didn't touch her. She deliberately scalded me. The apology should come from her."

"How dare you lie!" Beatrice shrieked. "Everyone knows girls like you envy proper ladies like Victoria! I've witnessed this petty jealousy countless times! Apologize now!"

Nathaniel's brow furrowed at his mother's venomous words. "Mother, I told you it was clearly an accident. We haven't reviewed the security footage yet."

For the first time, he truly saw how cruelly his mother treated Evelyn.

Why are you defending her, Nathaniel? The divorce is practically finalized! And why invite her tonight? She'll only ruin our family dinner!

"Who's getting divorced?" Eleanor Whitmore's sharp voice cut through the tension.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing Eleanor in her wheelchair. Her piercing gaze swept the room. "Well? Who's divorcing?"

Nathaniel quickly replied, "No one, Grandmother. You must have misheard."

"Is that so?" Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps my old ears deceive me. Evelyn, come here. Let me look at you properly. You've lost weight."

Evelyn approached, taking Eleanor's frail hands in hers. "I haven't, Grandmother. If anything, I've gained some."

"Don't lie to me," Eleanor chided. "My eyes remain sharp even if my hearing fades. If Nathaniel mistreats you, you must tell me. I'll set him straight."

Noticing Evelyn's injured hand, Eleanor gasped. "Good heavens! What happened? Samuel, attend to this immediately! This must be excruciating!"

A bittersweet warmth flooded Evelyn's chest. Among all the Whitmores, only Eleanor and Margaret had ever shown her genuine kindness. For that, she would always be grateful.