Chapter 116

The sudden voice made the socialites whirl around, their smug expressions instantly deflating.

"Oh, it's Benjamin!"

"Benjamin Rivers! You're here!"

"Hello, Mr. Rivers!"

Evelyn turned her head too.

The man they were fawning over was Benjamin Rivers - the same man who'd accompanied Abigail to the art gallery that day. Dressed in an immaculate white tuxedo, his aristocratic features and lean frame made him look every inch the young nobleman.

He strode forward with a disapproving frown. "What's with all this racket? You're making a scene."

One of the girls stepped forward, pointing at Evelyn. "Benjamin, we weren't trying to cause trouble. This... person snuck in wearing that hideous outfit just to freeload. We were simply asking her to leave."

"Exactly! The Silver Moon Estate is an exclusive venue. We can't have just anyone wandering in and lowering the tone."

"Benjamin, you should call security to remove her!"

Benjamin tilted his chin up, giving them a withering look. "Since when do you get to decide who belongs here based on their clothes? People can wear whatever they damn well please. Mind your own business."

The girls gaped at him. They'd expected praise for upholding the estate's standards, not this scolding.

"But she definitely crashed the party!"

"She didn't even have an invitation!"

Benjamin rolled his eyes. "If she got past security, she has every right to be here. Do you think the Rivers employ incompetent guards who'd let just anyone waltz in?"

"I... We didn't think of it that way."

"Right. It's not our place to question the estate's security..."

"Sorry, Benjamin. Please forgive us."

With that, the chastened socialites scattered.

Benjamin snorted before turning to the woman they'd been harassing. "There. You're fine now. Don't mind those shallow social climbers."

Evelyn nodded. "Thanks."

"Whatever." He started to walk away dismissively.

Then he froze.

That voice... why did it sound so familiar?

He spun back around - and finally recognized her. "Evelyn? Is that you?"

Evelyn grinned. "Hi there."

Benjamin's face immediately twisted in disgust. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"Whatever I want," she shot back. "Isn't that what you just said?"

He scowled. "If I'd known it was you, I'd have let them throw you out myself!"

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh at his abrupt about-face. The man was fascinating - he'd defended a stranger purely on principle, without any ulterior motives. Only to turn hostile the moment he realized who she was.

His dislike stemmed from Nathaniel's past relationship with his sister Amelia. In Benjamin's eyes, Evelyn was the woman who'd stolen his sister's happiness.

Still, beneath the bluster, he wasn't a bad person.

"Did you come here with Nathaniel?" Benjamin demanded suddenly.

Evelyn's smile vanished at the name. "Is he here too?"

Benjamin looked baffled. "If you didn't come with Nathaniel, how the hell did you get in?"