Chapter 230

Silence stretched between them for what felt like an eternity. Nathaniel remained unmoved.

Gabrielle's voice trembled. "Nathaniel, you know the state of my family's company. If you pull out now, we're finished!"

The imposing figure stood silhouetted against the balcony lights. With practiced ease, he lit a cigarette, his gaze dropping to Gabrielle's desperate face.

"Grayson Enterprises isn't a charity," he stated flatly. "Your family business has been failing for years. Our investments have decreased annually. I tolerated it because of our friendship. But after tonight, that friendship no longer exists."

Gabrielle shook violently. "That's not true! How could you say that? We've known each other since childhood! You mean everything to me!"

Nathaniel's icy stare cut through the smoke. "Really? Then why do you keep targeting my wife?"

Guilt flashed across Gabrielle's face, quickly replaced by defiance. "Fine, we're friends. But Evelyn means nothing to me. She's arrogant and needed to be put in her place—"

"Do you honestly believe you have the right to discipline my wife?" Nathaniel's voice dropped dangerously. "Attacking her is attacking me."

Gabrielle recoiled as if struck.

Her hands clenched into fists. "I'm sorry, Nathaniel. I was wrong. I won't do it again. Please don't withdraw the funding."

"You endangered Evelyn's life." His voice was glacial. "Did you really think we'd remain friends after that?"

"Are you seriously choosing her over decades of friendship?" Gabrielle's voice cracked.

Nathaniel flicked ash from his cigarette with deliberate calm. "Count yourself lucky Evelyn is unharmed. If she so much as sneezes tomorrow, the consequences will make tonight's discussion seem merciful."

Gabrielle's blood ran cold. She'd never seen this ruthless side of Nathaniel before.

"Miss Winslow." The formal address struck like a slap. There would be no reconciliation.

"But Nathaniel—"

He crushed his cigarette and turned toward the door without another word.

Benjamin had tactfully excused himself earlier, leaving them alone. Now Gabrielle realized how final that gesture had been.

Panic set in. She couldn't lose everything. Not like this.

"Wait!" she screamed, lunging to block his path. "Answer me this—have you forgotten your promise to Amelia? Or are you just another man who discards the old for something new?"