Chapter 368

"Or should I just stand by and watch her walk all over you?"

"Nathaniel, you're too good to me," Evelyn murmured with a soft smile.

He scoffed, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel. "Only now you realize that?"

Her smile didn't fade, but she didn't answer his question either. Instead, she turned serious. "Thank you."

Nathaniel didn't respond. Gratitude wasn't what he wanted from her.

"You handled yourself well today," he said after a beat. "Your advancement had nothing to do with me. That was all you. I didn't pull any strings with the judges. Your win was clean."

Evelyn went quiet.

He'd read her mind. She had been worried—had prepared herself for the possibility that her success might be tied to his influence.

After a long pause, she finally nodded. "I know."

Nathaniel glanced at her just as the light turned green. He released her hand to grip the wheel properly, his expression unreadable.

He dropped her off at the office but didn’t go in. She had business to handle, and he wasn’t about to interfere.

The moment Evelyn stepped into the office, the tension was palpable. Gabrielle and the others had already briefed Gregory about Vivian Sterling stealing her design during the livestream.

Evelyn didn’t waste time. She headed straight for Gregory’s office and shut the door behind her.

Before she could even speak, Gregory was already apologizing. "Evelyn, I had no idea Danielle would do something like this. I’ve already called her. She’s on her way to fix this."

So he knew about Vivian too.

Evelyn exhaled. "Gregory, if this puts you in an awkward position, I can handle Danielle myself."

"No." His voice was firm. "I won’t enable her this time. She’s an adult. She needs to take responsibility for her actions. And this—this isn’t just some petty issue. This is your hard work. I know what it means to you."

Evelyn nodded. If he understood, then there was nothing more to say.

Ten minutes later, Danielle stormed into the office.

She marched straight into Gregory’s office, only to freeze when she saw Evelyn sitting there. Her face twisted in displeasure.

She turned to Gregory, eyes flashing. "Why is she here? I thought you wanted to talk to me. Tell her to leave. I don’t want her here."

"Enough, Danielle." Gregory’s voice was ice. "Stop acting like a child."

Ever since he’d last lost his temper with her, Danielle had developed a wariness around him. There were things between them—private, unspoken things—that made her hesitate to push him too far.

"Gregory..."

"Did you steal Evelyn’s design and give it to Vivian?"

Danielle stiffened. Then her eyes narrowed. "Is that why you called me here? Because of her? Did she put you up to this?"

She jabbed a finger in Evelyn’s direction, her expression venomous. "Evelyn, what’s your game? Trying to turn my brother against me? Where’s your proof? If you don’t have any, then shut your mouth."

"Vivian’s your friend, isn’t she? That design was mine. So unless you’re suggesting someone else stole it for her, who else could it be?" Evelyn’s voice was calm, but her gaze was sharp.

Danielle laughed, high and mocking. "Oh, so now you’re the victim? Just because she’s my friend, that means I’m guilty? Where’s your evidence? Or are you just jealous?"

Evelyn almost rolled her eyes. "I don’t even know her. Why would I be jealous?"