Chapter 453

Evelyn recognized the man immediately—he had to be the dean of the Music Conservatory. Her lips pressed together as she struggled to formulate a response.

But Nathaniel answered with effortless charm. "Nothing special. She's my wife, and I appreciate you all looking out for her at the conservatory."

Evelyn's breath caught. Had he really just said that?

She shot him a bewildered glance. He'd explicitly warned her before about keeping their relationship private. Yet here he was, announcing it to the entire room!

Had he lost his mind?

The private dining room fell into stunned silence—except for Theodore and Christopher. Theodore beamed with delight while Christopher glared daggers at Nathaniel.

The dean immediately raised his glass toward Evelyn. "My deepest apologies, Mrs. Whitmore. Please forgive my ignorance in not recognizing you earlier. You have my word this won't leave this room."

The others quickly echoed similar promises of discretion.

Evelyn forced a polite, strained smile. She didn't believe them for a second. Academic circles thrived on gossip.

She'd been carefully maintaining a low profile to complete her credits before leaving Bern City. Now Nathaniel had shattered that plan completely. How could she possibly stay anonymous after this?

Was this deliberate? Yet she couldn't imagine what he'd gain from exposing her identity.

Her sharp glare should have burned holes through him, but Nathaniel merely gave her a graceful look as he reassured, "Don't worry, darling. I've got your back. No one will dare trouble you."

Evelyn nearly choked. That wasn't the point at all!

Watching Nathaniel play the doting husband—pouring her drinks with exaggerated care, putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of marital bliss—she wondered if he'd been body-snatched.

Just then, a hand reached from her right to intercept Nathaniel's movement.

Christopher snatched her glass away, scowling. "Evelyn doesn't drink juice. It's unhealthy for her. Shouldn't you know that?"

Nathaniel froze momentarily before setting the bottle down. "My apologies, sweetheart. I didn't recall you having juice allergies."

Evelyn glanced at the mango juice and offered a faint smile. "I didn't before. I do now." Since becoming pregnant, she'd become hyper-vigilant about her diet.

Rather than taking offense, Nathaniel simply gestured to the server. "Order whatever you prefer, darling."

Christopher cut in smoothly, "Evelyn prefers lighter dishes. For instance—" He proceeded to order an extravagant spread without restraint.

Sandwiched between the two men, Evelyn felt her patience wearing thin. Her smile faltered at the mountain of food accumulating before her.

Nathaniel's voice turned glacial. "Mr. Montgomery, your eagerness to please my wife is... notable. While I appreciate you recognizing her excellence, I should remind you she's already married."

Evelyn's cheeks burned. Just as she'd feared—he'd misinterpreted her relationship with Christopher.

Every eye in the room snapped to Christopher at Nathaniel's words, glittering with scandalized curiosity.

So the Montgomery heir was making moves on Nathaniel Whitmore's wife.

Evelyn shifted uncomfortably, but Christopher remained unruffled. He began serving her portions. "Try this, Evelyn. It's excellent."

"And this one's quite good too."

As her plate piled high, Evelyn finally began eating—her babies were starving after all.