Chapter 420

Evelyn Carter had pressing matters to discuss with Nathaniel Whitmore.

As she moved toward him, a flustered woman rushed past her. The woman's cheeks burned crimson as she breathlessly asked, "Mr. Whitmore, did you request my presence?"

Evelyn froze mid-step.

Theodore Winslow paused and corrected, "I summoned Evelyn, not you."

Clearing her throat nervously, Evelyn approached, catching the woman's displeased glare.

She understood the unspoken resentment. After all, Nathaniel was every woman's fantasy - devastatingly handsome with the Whitmore fortune at his disposal.

Stepping away from the murmuring crowd, Evelyn felt dozens of envious eyes tracking her movements. She exhaled quietly, blaming Nathaniel's magnetic presence for the unwanted attention.

Keeping her head down, she trailed behind Theodore, hoping to disappear into the background.

To her surprise, Theodore stepped aside and gestured forward. "Evelyn, since you're most familiar with the hall's design, why don't you give Mr. Whitmore the tour?"

Evelyn's marriage to Nathaniel made the Whitmore Group's funding for Halvard University a foregone conclusion. Theodore's eyes sparkled with barely concealed excitement - after all, as a student here, Evelyn gave Nathaniel every reason to invest.

Biting her lip, Evelyn hesitated. Yet for the sake of professionalism, she forced herself forward.

Keeping her gaze lowered, she murmured, "Mr. Whitmore, what aspects would you like me to explain?"

Nathaniel's lips quirked at her submissive act. He knew better - Evelyn was a master at masking her true thoughts.

"Proceed with your presentation," he instructed smoothly.

Evelyn suspected Nathaniel was deliberately making things difficult. But recognizing his status as the university's honored guest, she maintained composure and began explaining her design concepts.

Time slipped away unnoticed. Evelyn's throat grew hoarse from continuous speaking.

When Nathaniel offered a water bottle, she couldn't help noticing his elegant, pianist fingers.

Accepting it gratefully, she drank deeply, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat.

Turning to Nathaniel, she asked, "Any further questions, Mr. Whitmore? If not, I should return to my duties."

Clutching the bottle cap, Nathaniel studied her intently. "I wasn't aware of your musical interests."

He hadn't expected Evelyn to incorporate musical motifs into the hall's design. The youthful, vibrant aesthetic showcased unexpected talent.

Evelyn paused before answering. "I pursued music passionately in my youth, but financial constraints forced me to abandon it."

Nathaniel knew all about Evelyn's humble beginnings. "And now?" he probed.

"I've rediscovered music recently," she replied evenly. "Learning never truly ends."

"Is Christopher Montgomery your instructor?" Nathaniel's tone turned icy.

Sensing his disapproval, Evelyn avoided further mention of her cousin.

Glancing around the nearly empty hall, she changed tack. "You saw my message yesterday."

"I did," Nathaniel acknowledged casually.

Evelyn lowered her voice. "I tried calling you-"

Her jaw tightened. "If you saw it, why didn't you respond?"

Nathaniel's smirk unsettled her. "If it was truly urgent, you'd have called again."

Pursing her lips, Evelyn countered, "Considering you're transferring all assets to me, shouldn't you show more concern?"