Chapter 42

Evelyn approached Nathaniel with measured steps. "What's caught your attention?"

Her gaze trailed his line of vision, landing on Victoria. A shadow crossed her features. "I never imagined Ms. Carter would make it this far. Reaching the finals isn't simple. Things make sense now that I see who she's with."

Nathaniel turned sharply. "Explain yourself."

"The man beside her is my cousin, Daniel Montgomery. An acclaimed actor from Nord City. His presence here—with Ms. Carter—is unexpected. He's notoriously private and never seen with women." Victoria's words were deliberate poison.

She watched with satisfaction as Nathaniel's expression hardened into frost. Biting her lip, she glanced toward Evelyn again, genuine confusion flickering in her eyes. When had Evelyn gotten close to Daniel?

The Montgomery brothers had always kept their distance—ever since Alexander brought Victoria home from the orphanage to appease their ailing grandmother. Their missing sister's replacement. A living monument to their loss.

Resentment coiled in Victoria's chest. What gave Evelyn the right to stand so familiarly with Daniel?

She tilted her face up at Nathaniel. "I'm truly grateful you agreed to judge tonight, Nate. Your support means everything."

A noncommittal grunt was his only reply before he strode toward the judges' panel.

Swallowing bitterness, Victoria pulled out her phone. "Is everything prepared as I instructed?"

"Perfectly, Ms. Sinclair. The stage is set."

A smirk curled her lips. Tonight, Evelyn Carter would be humiliated before the entire elite.

Evelyn took her seat among the eleven finalists while Daniel settled directly behind her. The front row glittered with judges and VIP guests. Her breath hitched as Nathaniel walked past—stopping to occupy the center seat, diagonal to her.

He crossed his legs with effortless elegance, the very picture of masculine refinement.

Whispers erupted around her. "Who is that devastating man?"

Evelyn wasn't surprised. Nathaniel's arresting looks had once captivated her too.

Penelope's cloying perfume announced her arrival before the woman herself teetered into view. She deliberately chose the seat directly in front of Evelyn.

Evelyn discreetly fanned her face. The floral assault was overwhelming.

Penelope turned with a triumphant smirk. "Lovely, isn't it? A discontinued masterpiece by Parfums Lumière."

"Perhaps if applied with slightly less... enthusiasm," Evelyn murmured.

A stifled giggle from nearby made Penelope flush. "You're just bitter you'll never own anything this exquisite," she hissed. "Don't think your fluke advancement makes you our equal."

"At least my place wasn't bought with plagiarism," Evelyn countered calmly.

Powder rained from Penelope's trembling cheeks. "This provincial competition means nothing! Nate and I are merely supporting Victoria—soon to be family."

So Nathaniel had come for Victoria after all.