Chapter 387

The moment Evelyn stepped into the luxurious venue, her breath caught. The Veridian elite clubhouse shimmered with understated opulence, every surface polished to perfection.

At the mention of her name, a uniformed attendant guided her upstairs.

Though not a private dining area, the entire second level stood deserted.

Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around the space, bathing the restaurant in golden afternoon light. A string quartet played softly in the corner, their melodies weaving through the air like silk.

"Evelyn!" Serena's voice rang out across the empty floor.

Even without the greeting, Evelyn would have spotted her friend immediately. Aside from the discreet staff, Serena was the sole occupant.

"Serena!"

They embraced warmly, the familiar scent of Serena's jasmine perfume enveloping Evelyn.

As they parted, Serena offered an apologetic smile. "Donovan got held up in a meeting. He asked me to convey his sincerest apologies for the delay."

"That's quite alright," Evelyn assured her. "Really, this is all unnecessary. He already expressed his gratitude for what happened."

Serena shook her head firmly. "You don't understand. This isn't just about thanks. It's about propriety."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You have no idea of Donovan Blackwood's standing in Veridian society. Saving his heir? If he didn't acknowledge that properly, it would cause talk."

Evelyn remained silent. The intricate dance of social expectations always left her slightly dizzy.

"How is Oliver doing?" she asked instead.

Serena's face brightened. "Perfectly healthy, thanks to you. I nearly lost my mind that day. Watching Oliver struggle like that... I couldn't think straight. If you hadn't been there..." She shuddered. "Donovan would never have forgiven me."

"Why would he blame you?" Evelyn sipped her sparkling water, brow furrowed. "You didn't serve the food that triggered his allergy."

A shadow crossed Serena's face. "No. That was Penelope's doing."

"The boy's mother?"

Evelyn recalled the distraught woman from that day, sensing the tension between her and Donovan. She'd assumed it was private family business and hadn't pried.

"Yes." Serena exhaled heavily. With no other distractions, she seemed eager to unburden herself. "Penelope was using Oliver to mend fences with Donovan. I thought... well, I thought reconciliation would be good for everyone. How wrong I was." She reached across the table. "I should apologize for Penelope's behavior toward you."

Evelyn waved it off. "Ancient history."

She could intellectually understand Penelope's panic - a mother watching her child suffer because of her own mistake, terrified of losing whatever fragile connection remained with the father. But understanding didn't equate to forgiveness.

"You're being too generous," Serena insisted. "That woman doesn't care about Oliver at all. Only herself. The incident showed her true colors."

Evelyn blinked in surprise.

"If she truly loved her son," Serena continued, anger sharpening her words, "she'd know his allergies. When Oliver started choking, her first concern wasn't for him - it was whether Donovan would punish her. She knows Oliver is her only tether to Donovan's world. The child himself means nothing to her."

The venom in Serena's voice shocked Evelyn. Clearly, the incident had severed whatever sympathy existed between the two women.

"Maybe she just panicked," Evelyn offered weakly. "Or doesn't fully understand Oliver's condition. From what I gathered, she and Donovan aren't exactly..." She trailed off, realizing she was venturing into delicate territory.