Chapter 58

"Grandma!" Evelyn cut Dorothy off sharply the moment money was mentioned. She averted her gaze, cheeks burning with humiliation under Nathaniel's piercing stare.

Despite countless rejections, Dorothy remained shameless in her demands.

"Grandma? You've never treated me as family. This is about your precious grandson, but we shouldn't bail him out recklessly." Dorothy then turned to Nathaniel with a saccharine smile. "You'll help us, won't you, Nathaniel?"

Beside her, Beverly nodded eagerly. Nathaniel's wealth meant security—a lavish house, luxury cars, maybe even cushy jobs for the whole family.

Evelyn's breath caught. She'd already agreed to divorce Nathaniel. If he gave them money now, she'd be no better than the gold-diggers they accused her of being.

She shot Dorothy and Beverly a warning glare before declaring, "You heard me earlier. I make the decisions in this marriage. His opinion doesn't matter."

Beverly scoffed. "Bullshit. Nathaniel's loaded—he obviously calls the shots. Right, Nathaniel?"

Evelyn bit her lip, silently pleading for Nathaniel to refuse.

Nathaniel adjusted his cufflinks, then commanded, "Come here." Confused, Evelyn obeyed.

The moment she stepped close, his arm snaked around her waist, yanking her against his chest. She stiffened, wide-eyed.

Nathaniel addressed the women coldly. "Yes, I'm wealthy."

Dorothy and Beverly exchanged triumphant smirks.

Then his voice dropped, velvet and lethal. "But every cent belongs to Evelyn. She decides how it's spent."

His mint-and-sandalwood scent enveloped her. The steady thud of his heartbeat beneath her ear felt surreal.

He tilted her chin up, lips brushing her ear. "Do whatever you want with it. I trust you."

Evelyn searched his inscrutable gaze. Why was he shielding her now?

Dorothy's grin twisted into outrage. "Evelyn! We raised you! Now you’d abandon us?"

Beverly wheedled, "Just say yes! Nathaniel’s letting you choose!"

Evelyn wrenched free, icy. "I’d sooner burn it than give you a penny."

"You ungrateful wretch!" Dorothy shrieked. "After everything we—"

Nathaniel’s grip tightened. "What brothers?" His voice was deceptively calm.

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. Damn it. The one secret she’d fought to keep—exposed.