Chapter 323

Evelyn was thoroughly confused by Nathaniel's question. All she wanted was to keep a respectful distance between them.

What did he mean by asking who she was afraid of running into? It wasn't like she'd done anything wrong.

She shrugged casually. "Exactly, I just didn't want unnecessary gossip if someone saw us together."

Besides, both Beatrice and Victoria were at the hospital. Shouldn't Nathaniel be more concerned about potential misunderstandings with Victoria?

This thought prompted Evelyn to blurt out, "Speaking of which, why did you call off your engagement with Victoria?"

She'd been dying to ask this question for weeks, but the timing never seemed right.

With Eleanor's surgery underway and their divorce countdown beginning, Evelyn found herself unexpectedly curious.

Nathaniel's eyes darkened. "What do you think?"

Was she fishing for confirmation of what she already knew?

It was obvious Evelyn had convinced Julian to perform Eleanor's surgery, yet she'd kept silent about it.

She'd let Victoria manipulate the situation, using it to force Nathaniel into a sham engagement.

If Julian hadn't revealed the truth to Nathaniel that day, he would still be in the dark.

What game was Evelyn playing?

A sudden realization lit up Evelyn's face. "Did you break it off because you finally saw through Victoria's lies?"

What was she implying?

Nathaniel studied her carefully. "Evelyn, what exactly is going through that mind of yours?"

"Well, you're the one who's always claiming to know my thoughts," Evelyn retorted before she could stop herself.

She immediately clamped her mouth shut, regretting her words.

Nathaniel's expression turned unreadable. "Evelyn, now I understand why you have so many admirers. They must all be enchanted by that silver tongue of yours."

How had he never noticed how effortlessly flirtatious she could be?

Evelyn's cheeks burned, but she refused to let Nathaniel have the upper hand. Boldly, she countered, "Don't be ridiculous. Silver tongue? I've only ever sweet-talked one man, and that's you!"

Nathaniel coughed awkwardly. "Evelyn, what nonsense are you spouting?"

After all, he'd never permitted such behavior from her!

In their three years of marriage, their relationship had remained strictly platonic - except for that one unexpected night.

Evelyn suddenly realized the implication of her words and turned scarlet.

She backpedaled furiously. "I was just rambling. You're the one reading too much into it with your dirty imagination."

Nathaniel scowled. "Dirty imagination? You're the one with the inappropriate thoughts!"

"If you think I have inappropriate thoughts, then point them out. I'd be happy to explain," Evelyn challenged, refusing to back down.

Nathaniel's gaze dropped to Evelyn's wide, innocent eyes.

His throat tightened imperceptibly as he unconsciously licked his lips.

In a husky voice, he murmured, "You were the one who brought up sweet-talking."

"So what if I did? Didn't I sweet-talk you back then?"

It was true - Evelyn had spent every day learning Nathaniel's preferences, anxiously awaiting his return from work, carefully choosing her words to please him.

She'd had to measure every syllable, ensuring it was exactly what he wanted to hear. Wasn't that the very definition of sweet-talking?

Robert, standing nearby, accidentally overheard their heated exchange and discreetly took several steps back.

He had no desire to witness anything private and risk Nathaniel's legendary temper later.