Chapter 444

Nathan's piercing gaze locked onto Eleanor as he demanded in an icy tone, "Mother, is there nothing you wish to confess to me?"

Eleanor staggered backward, her manicured fingers clutching the banister for support.

"I... I don't understand what you mean," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Nathan advanced with predatory grace, cornering her against the wall. "Do you truly not comprehend the gravity of your actions?"

"You know?" Eleanor's entire body shook as she squeezed her eyes shut, consumed by terror.

"It... it wasn't intentional! That insufferable Evelyn kept flaunting herself. I merely wanted to put her in her place."

Nathan's hand shot out like lightning, gripping her wrist. "What did you just say? What have you done to Evelyn?"

Eleanor blinked in confusion. "Isn't this what you were referring to?"

A humorless laugh escaped Nathan as he released her arm. "It appears you've been keeping far more secrets than I imagined."

"No! Nathan, please listen—"

"Enough!" His voice cracked like a whip. "I've warned you repeatedly not to provoke Evelyn."

Terror gripped Eleanor as she desperately clung to his sleeve. "I made a mistake! Give me another chance—I swear I won't—"

Nathan peeled her fingers away one by one, his expression glacial. "Effective immediately, all your credit cards will be frozen. You'll receive nothing beyond basic living expenses."

"You can't do this! How will I survive?"

Eleanor's extravagant lifestyle had left her unprepared for financial restrictions. The thought of budgeting made her physically ill.

"I'm your mother! Blood should come before some outsider like Evelyn!" She clung to him like a drowning woman, until an authoritative voice cut through the tension.

"No true mother would behave as you have!"

Margaret stood framed in the doorway, her regal presence commanding immediate respect.

"Grandmother." Nathan's demeanor softened noticeably. He'd always held deep reverence for the family matriarch.

Margaret nodded before turning her disapproving gaze on Eleanor. "You've acted foolishly, daughter."

"Mother, please! Intercede for me!" Eleanor begged, dropping to her knees. "Make Nathan see reason!"

Margaret sighed heavily. "For three years, Evelyn devoted herself to our family. Tell me, what daughter-in-law could compare?"

"But you and Vanessa constantly made her life difficult at every turn."

"I only thought her unworthy of our name! I wanted to protect Nathan's future—"

"And now?" Margaret arched a silver eyebrow.

Eleanor hung her head in shame. With Evelyn's true identity revealed, she knew the young woman was the ideal match for Nathan.

Yet her wounded pride had driven her to petty vengeance.

"Mother, she's already divorced Nathan."

Margaret's cane struck the marble floor with a sharp crack. "How dare you! Had you shown her basic kindness, their marriage might have survived."