Chapter 332

Nathaniel was stunned by Leonard’s sudden dismissal, his face twisting into a scowl as the weight of the rejection settled over him.

In his mind, they had once been classmates. Though years had passed without contact, there was no reason for Leonard to act so high-and-mighty in front of an old friend.

Humiliated in front of everyone, Nathaniel swiftly redirected his anger toward Evelyn.

"This is all your fault! You must have done something to piss him off, and now I'm paying the price!"

Evelyn arched a brow, genuinely baffled. "Hold on. Who exactly offended him? Me or you? Why do you always drag me into your mess?"

"You treat Vanessa like she’s some kind of saint! Open your eyes—look at how everyone else sees her!"

Evelyn let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Oh, you haven’t heard? Damian already confessed that he and Vanessa plotted to frame me and get me arrested."

"Don’t look at me like that! I’m just stating facts. Ethan knows about it too—ask him if you don’t believe me."

"Only you would still think Vanessa is innocent. Let me tell you, this isn’t over. Damian was taken in for questioning yesterday, and soon enough, they’ll be knocking on Vanessa’s door. She won’t be—"

Evelyn cut herself off, her lips curling in cold amusement as Nathaniel’s expression darkened further.

The air between them crackled with tension, thick with unspoken accusations.

Nathaniel clenched his fists, his pride refusing to let him back down. "You’re just bitter because Ethan chose her over you."

Evelyn’s smile turned razor-sharp. "Oh, please. If I wanted Ethan, I could have had him. But unlike Vanessa, I don’t need to scheme and lie to keep a man."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

Nathaniel’s face flushed with anger, but before he could retort, Evelyn turned on her heel and walked away, leaving him seething in her wake.

The confrontation had only just begun.

And Vanessa’s reckoning was coming.

Evelyn's words exploded like fireworks, sending shockwaves through the gathered crowd.

Though no one recognized Damian Cross by name, the implication was clear—he was tangled in Evelyn's dark history.

Her composed tone suggested layers of untold secrets simmering beneath the surface.

Just as anticipation thickened, Evelyn spun away without another word, leaving the audience hanging.

The energy dissipated, and people began drifting apart, murmurs lingering in the air.

Richard Hayes clenched his jaw, irritation flashing in his eyes.

Then, from the shadows, Evelyn Sinclair emerged.

She had caught every word—the accusations, the mention of Damian's arrest, the veiled threat of a reopened investigation.

Her stomach twisted into knots.

Stepping in front of Richard, she studied the storm of emotions crossing his face.

"Vanessa is our daughter. You must believe in her innocence. Don’t let that girl’s poisonous whispers get to you."

Richard folded his arms, his expression turning to stone. He remained silent, choosing to wait and watch.

Richard Hayes wasn't foolish.

After decades in the business world, he knew better than to underestimate a situation like this.

The fact that Evelyn Carter was willing to drag this scandal into the light meant she had solid evidence backing her claims.

Three years ago, he had acted impulsively.

Seeing Vanessa Hart hurt had clouded his judgment.

In that heated moment, he hadn’t considered the consequences.

Evelyn’s defiance had pushed him to his breaking point, and Vanessa had convinced him that sending her to prison would finally teach her a lesson.

Now, Richard’s voice was dangerously quiet.

"Tell me the truth, Evelyn Sinclair. What really happened three years ago?"

Evelyn Sinclair’s fingers twisted nervously, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The plan had been hers and Vanessa’s from the start.

They had believed prison would crush Evelyn’s spirit, clearing the path for Vanessa to become the undisputed heiress of the Hawthorne Estate.

Vanessa’s scheme had worked flawlessly—until now.

Evelyn Sinclair had never imagined the past would resurface like this.

And she certainly hadn’t expected Evelyn to gain the backing of someone as powerful as Alexander Whitmore.

Her voice wavered, but she held firm.

"Even if Damian Cross changes his story now and claims—"

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Richard, Vanessa is our daughter," Evelyn Sinclair hissed, her grip tightening on his arm. "How can you even question her loyalty? And Damian? He grew up under the same roof as Evelyn—they're practically family!"

Richard exhaled slowly, considering her words.

It did make sense.

Damian was unreliable—a gambler who could switch sides in an instant.

Seeing the hesitation flicker in Richard's eyes, Evelyn pressed closer. "If he starts spreading lies about Vanessa, you must stand by her. Don't let him manipulate you!"

Richard gave her hand a reassuring pat, about to respond—

Then a voice, sharp as shattered glass, sliced through the moment.

"Well, Richard, isn’t this a sight?" Margaret Hayes stood behind them, her face flushed with fury, eyes burning like embers. "Keeping a mistress behind my back? And bold enough to bring her to Olivia Cole’s birthday party? Do I mean nothing to you?"

The accusation hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Evelyn Sinclair stiffened, her grip on Richard’s arm turning vice-like.

Margaret’s glare could have melted steel.

And just like that—the carefully constructed peace shattered.