Chapter 322
Nathaniel's lips curled into a mocking smile. His tone carried an unmistakable warning, sharp enough to cut through steel.
Gregory's pulse stuttered. He opened his mouth to argue, but Evelyn cut him off with a glare. "Are you done? If so, get out." Her voice was icy, dripping with irritation.
Frustration boiled over. She snatched the folder from her desk and slammed it down with a resounding crack. The office fell deathly silent.
Three pairs of eyes locked in a tense standoff. Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Anything else? No? Then leave. I have work to do."
Gregory hesitated, his gaze flickering between her and Nathaniel. Finally, he turned on his heel.
At the door, he and Nathaniel exchanged a silent battle of wills. Gregory looked away first.
The door clicked shut. Only Evelyn and Nathaniel remained.
She kept her eyes fixed on the blueprint, refusing to acknowledge him. Her fingers tightened around her pen.
Nathaniel strode forward, planting himself in front of her desk. "You've been avoiding me," he accused. "Ever since Gregory confessed his feelings. That's why you're pushing me away, isn't it?"
Evelyn lifted her chin. "If that's what you believe, then nothing I say will change your mind."
His jaw clenched. "Explain."
"You want an answer? Fine. What exactly are you asking me?"
"I want the truth."
Silence stretched between them.
Nathaniel's voice dropped. "Evelyn, what's going on with you?" He searched his memory—no fights, no arguments. Just the Mitchell family drama they'd navigated together.
She swallowed the question burning her tongue—What about Isabella?—and deflected. "Nothing. Just the competition. It's consuming all my focus."
Nathaniel scoffed. "You expect me to believe a design contest turned you into this?"
"Believe what you want." Her tone was glacial.
The air turned suffocating. Neither would back down.
After a long pause, Nathaniel's eyes darkened. "If this competition is affecting you like this, don't participate. Withdraw now."
Evelyn's breath caught. "You're telling me to quit?"