Chapter 244

Victoria's face tightened for a split second before Beatrice smoothly intervened. "If Nathaniel needs to focus on his career, so be it. The engagement will proceed as scheduled."

At this, Victoria forced a strained smile. "Mrs. Whitmore, please accept my sincerest apologies."

"Nonsense, dear. It's my son who should be apologizing for his poor timing." Beatrice patted Victoria's hand reassuringly.

Victoria's lips curved upward, though her eyes remained icy. "Work commitments are understandable."

Internally, she seethed but knew canceling the engagement wasn't an option.

Penelope seized the moment to ask, "Victoria, where's Evelyn? Wasn't she supposed to attend today?"

Victoria whirled toward Jonathan, her voice sharp. "Where is she? What happened?"

Jonathan frowned. "Her phone's switched off. We can't reach her. I'm concerned there might be trouble with her adoptive family again."

Penelope smirked. "Perhaps she's too ashamed to show her face. Given how things are unfolding, I wouldn't blame her for hiding."

"Who said I was hiding?"

All heads turned as Evelyn strode in, her hair slightly disheveled and a fresh cut at the corner of her lip.

She'd just had a violent confrontation with Walter and Beverly outside her apartment. Their shouting match had escalated into a physical altercation on the sidewalk, culminating with her phone being crushed underfoot.

Ignoring the sting from her injury, Evelyn addressed Jonathan first. "Any issues with the venue?"

"Everything's proceeding without complications," Jonathan assured her.

Evelyn turned to Victoria with a challenging look. "See? No problems whatsoever."

Victoria's lips thinned. "The ceremony hasn't even started. How would you know if there are problems?"

"Then let's begin," Evelyn declared coolly.

A hush fell over the gathering.

Noticing Victoria's murderous expression, Evelyn scanned the room. "According to the schedule, we're running late. Why the delay?"

The atmosphere was undeniably strange. Not only had the ceremony not started, but Evelyn also noted Nathaniel's conspicuous absence.

Her eyes narrowed. "Where's the groom?"

Victoria's grip on her bouquet tightened. "Nathaniel had urgent business. The engagement will continue without him."

Beatrice chimed in with false cheer. "Exactly! His absence changes nothing. When two powerful families unite, that's what truly matters."

Evelyn's gaze drifted to the conspicuously empty seats. "And the bride's family? Did none of them bother to come?"

Penelope rushed to explain. "Victoria's brothers had prior commitments."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "No groom. No family. At this rate, people might think you and Beatrice are the ones getting engaged."

Victoria's face darkened with rage.

Penelope stepped between them. "Don't listen to her, Victoria. Some people are just bitter because they'll never have what you do."

Evelyn smirked. "Speaking of bitter, I see you've regained your confidence. Must be nice to have selective memory about certain... indiscretions."

Penelope's face flushed crimson. She hated when anyone referenced that incident, especially Evelyn!

Before anyone could react, Penelope lunged forward, hand raised. "I've been waiting to slap that smug look off your face!"