Chapter 167

Vanessa's expression darkened as Evelyn's gesture failed to impress her.

"Vanessa, I'm offering you one final opportunity." Evelyn's voice carried a quiet warning. "Remove your piece from this exhibition voluntarily, or you'll live to regret it."

The younger woman merely lifted her chin, completely unfazed by the threat.

"Do whatever you want," Vanessa retorted with icy confidence before turning on her heel.

As she pushed through the glass doors, she collided with Gregory. "Gregory? What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, he tilted his head curiously. "Since when did you and Evelyn become so close?"

Vanessa let out a derisive laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. Friends with her? Now that she's the Lewis heiress, she's completely out of my league." Her words dripped with venomous sarcasm.

"Ah," Gregory nodded, wisely choosing not to pursue the conversation further.

Without another glance, Vanessa strode away, her designer heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Once alone, Gregory glanced down at his phone screen where a recording app still ran. His fingers hovered before decisively ending the session and saving the file.

"Ms. Carter," he greeted Evelyn with uncharacteristic politeness when he found her, his usual arrogance noticeably absent.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "What exactly is your relationship with Professor Whitaker?"

A smirk played on Gregory's lips. "We share more than just a last name," he replied with forced lightness. "Though I doubt you'd qualify as his student with your... limited credentials."

The realization struck Evelyn instantly - Gregory was Edmund Whitaker's son. Nathan certainly kept interesting company.

"I see," she said curtly, making to leave.

"Wait, Evelyn!" Gregory called after her, an uncharacteristic hesitation in his voice. "I... owe you an apology."

She turned slowly. "For?"

"My previous behavior," he admitted awkwardly, scratching his nose. "My condescension was... unwarranted."

Evelyn studied him - Nathan's friend actually apologizing?

"Unnecessary," she dismissed. "We simply had differing perspectives." Her tone made it clear she wasn't accepting.

"No, Evelyn," Gregory pressed. "Setting Nathan aside, could we perhaps... start over as friends?"

Her eyes narrowed. She could smell the ulterior motive from miles away.

"Let me guess," Evelyn said coolly. "This apology isn't for me, but for my new social standing. Am I wrong?"

Gregory opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "Save it. I understand perfectly."

She took a deliberate step closer. "But let me make one thing crystal clear - Nathan and I will never share mutual friends." The unspoken message hung between them - they would never be friends.

Gregory's hand brushed against his phone where the recording lay. He'd planned to use it, but now...

"Understood," he conceded. "If not friends, then perhaps civil acquaintances?"

Evelyn offered no reply as she walked away, leaving Gregory staring after her.

The moment she disappeared from view, he pulled out his phone and dialed Nathan's number.

Back in the main exhibition hall, Harrison approached Evelyn. "Let me handle this," he said quietly, already typing on his phone. "I've contacted the curators to have Vanessa's work removed immediately."