Chapter 49

Evelyn couldn't deny she'd done it deliberately. Her fingers tightened around the trophy as she observed Nathaniel's turned back. He hadn't glanced her way once, completely unaffected by her earlier provocation.

She averted her gaze just as Victoria approached their group. The woman's attention wasn't on Evelyn at all - those calculating eyes were locked onto Daniel instead. Did they share some history?

Victoria greeted Daniel with practiced charm. "What an unexpected pleasure seeing you here."

Daniel's response was glacial. "Small world."

When Victoria opened her mouth to continue, Daniel cut her off. "We're leaving, Evelyn."

Evelyn saw no reason to linger either. Going home early suited her fine. Her unfamiliarity with heels nearly sent her stumbling, but Daniel's steadying grip on her arm prevented disaster. "Careful."

"Right." She looped her arm through his for stability, determined not to faceplant before the paparazzi.

Speaking of which - the media swarm descended as they reached the exit. "Mr. Montgomery! Are you and Zoe romantically involved? How long has this been going on?"

"Mr. Montgomery! Did Zoe withdraw from the competition three years ago because of you?"

Evelyn hadn't anticipated this ambush. The aggressive questioning and flashing cameras made her shrink back instinctively.

Daniel seemed equally unprepared for the media frenzy. Without his usual security detail, he could only position himself as a human shield, protecting Evelyn from the worst of the onslaught.

Across the room, Nathaniel's expression darkened at the spectacle. Victoria chose that moment to murmur, "Daniel appears quite serious this time. No wonder Alexander intervened."

Nathaniel's gaze remained fixed on the exit. "She won first place on merit, not through scheming."

Victoria paled at her misstep. "Of course! The judging mix-up was purely accidental."

Nathaniel hadn't taken his eyes off the struggling couple. He barked an order to Robert before striding toward the commotion. Victoria stayed frozen, knowing she'd overplayed her hand.

Penelope materialized beside her, eyes wide with disbelief. "Victoria, is Evelyn actually Zoe?"

Victoria feigned uncertainty. "Who can say? Zoe's never shown her face publicly. Many have tried claiming her identity over the years."

Penelope scoffed. "Exactly! Evelyn's clearly impersonating her. Probably paid someone to create those designs! And her audacity demanding you present the award - I nearly exploded!"

Victoria offered a pained smile. "What choice did I have?"

"Don't worry," Penelope vowed. "I'll make her pay for humiliating you."

Victoria's eyes gleamed as she demurred, "Be careful, Penelope. She's got powerful backing now."

"Please! A woman who climbs from man to man like a ladder? Nothing to fear there!"

Victoria remained silent, satisfied. Penelope might be dim, but she made an excellent pawn.

As Victoria moved to follow Nathaniel, her phone rang. Alexander's name flashed onscreen. Her hand trembled as she answered. "Alexander?"

"Maya," came the icy reply. "You will distance yourself from all competition and company matters immediately. I trust you understand the gravity of today's miscalculation."