Chapter 182

This was disastrous news.

After classes ended, Evelyn Carter slipped out of the university discreetly, her face hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat and medical mask. She couldn't risk being spotted by Walter and Beverly Simmons.

Those two were perfectly capable of causing a scene - like blocking the university gates with their dramatic antics.

Reaching the curb, Evelyn scanned her surroundings with practiced caution. No familiar figures lurking in the shadows. Good.

She exhaled in relief and raised her hand to hail a cab home.

"Evelyn! Stop right there!"

A cherry-red convertible screeched to a halt beside her. Penelope Whitmore stormed out, her designer heels clicking angrily against the pavement. "Did you really think you could hide forever?"

Evelyn kept her expression neutral. "I wasn't hiding."

"Then why the disguise in this heatwave?" Penelope snapped, blocking Evelyn's path. "You're the one who snitched to my family! Now I'm stuck with a pathetic fifty-thousand-dollar monthly allowance that barely covers my spa treatments!"

She grabbed Evelyn's wrist. "You're coming with me to explain everything to Nathaniel. That whole Cassandra Blake mess had nothing to do with me. She acted alone!"

The financial restrictions had clearly devastated Penelope's lavish lifestyle. No more spontaneous shopping sprees or champagne brunches with her socialite friends. The deprivation showed in her pinched expression.

Evelyn almost pitied her. Almost.

Shrugging off Penelope's grip, Evelyn said coolly, "Not my problem. Nathaniel froze your accounts, not me."

"And Cassandra confessed everything under pressure! You expect me to believe you're innocent?"

"It was her personal vendetta against you! I had nothing to do with it!" Penelope's voice climbed an octave.

Evelyn knew better than to expect honesty from Nathaniel's scheming cousin. This argument was going nowhere.

Then movement caught her eye - Walter and Beverly Simmons were crossing the street toward them. Damn Penelope for delaying her!

Evelyn ducked her head, but Beverly's shrill voice carried across the intersection: "There you are, you ungrateful brat! Trying to avoid us?"

Evelyn's fingers twitched toward her phone. Maybe she could call security-

Penelope seized her arm again. "Going somewhere? Aren't those your lovely adoptive parents? Why not say hello?"

"Let go, Penelope!"

"Not until you agree to clear my name with Nathaniel!"

Seeing the Simmons couple closing in, Evelyn made a split-second decision. She wrenched open Penelope's car door and jumped in.

Facing Nathaniel's interrogation suddenly seemed preferable to another confrontation with her adoptive parents.

Penelope peeled away from the curb, leaving Walter and Beverly shouting obscenities in their wake. Evelyn glanced back at their furious faces and allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

"Consider that your rescue," Penelope said smugly. "Now you'll explain everything to Nathaniel."

"What exactly am I supposed to explain?"

"That I'm innocent! He needs to restore my credit limit immediately."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Do you really think Nathaniel acts without evidence? If he blocked your accounts, he already knows everything."

Penelope's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "So you refuse to help? Fine. Let's go back right now."

Evelyn bit back a scathing retort. This was going to be a long ride.