Chapter 25

Nathaniel helped Sophia up and gestured coldly. "Get him out of here. I won't have Silver Moon Estate's halls stained with filth like him!"

"Right away, sir!" Lucas signaled for security to drag Adrian away.

As Nathaniel cradled his sobbing niece, his sharp gaze flicked to Evelyn. His voice was stern, almost paternal. "Are you hurt?"

Evelyn shook her head dismissively. "I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

From the shadows of the corridor, Rachel watched everything unfold. A man like Nathaniel—powerful, wealthy, devastatingly handsome—was everything she dreamed of. What she didn't dream of was Evelyn being the one he swooped in to save like some fairytale prince.

To Rachel, Evelyn was nothing but an opportunist, always finding ways to flaunt herself in front of rich men. She couldn't let her win.

Gritting her teeth, Rachel burst forward with crocodile tears. "Miss Sophia, I was set up! Don't let Evelyn fool you!"

Sophia turned, wiping her tears with a furious swipe. "Oh, I was going to forget about you, but since you're here—you snake!"

Rachel didn’t flinch. Instead, she pointed dramatically at Evelyn. "It wasn’t me! It was her! The video was edited! She’s some tech genius—she framed me!"

Sophia marched up to Rachel, eyes blazing. "How dare you accuse her? Do you even know who she is to me?"

"W-Who... is she?" Rachel stammered, still convinced Evelyn was just a lowly bridesmaid.

Sophia kicked Rachel’s shin before snapping, "As if Evelyn would ever stoop to someone like Adrian! She’s my—"

"Best friend! We’re best friends!" Evelyn cut in quickly. The last thing she needed was rumors about her three-month arrangement with Nathaniel spreading.

"Exactly!" Sophia crossed her arms. "Lucas, make sure no one in this city hires this backstabbing witch unless they want the Graysons and the Bennetts as enemies!"

Lucas nodded. "Consider it done, Miss Sophia."

Rachel paled, desperation clawing at her. "Please, forgive me! Evelyn, you know I didn’t mean it—say something!"

Before Evelyn could respond, Sophia yanked her away. "Ignore her. She’s not worth another second."

Rachel lunged toward Nathaniel instead. "Mr. Grayson! Please, have mercy!"

Nathaniel didn’t even glance her way. Expressionless, he strode past her, Dominic following silently behind.

Rachel stood frozen, fists clenched. How the hell did Evelyn get close to someone like Sophia? And why did Nathaniel save her?!

Just then, Adrian staggered back, bruised and furious. The moment he spotted Rachel, he lunged. "You ruined me, you bitch!"

Rachel shrieked as he tackled her, rifling through her purse. He snatched back the "breakup fee" card she’d swindled from him.

"That’s mine!" she screeched, clawing for it.

"You cost me my inheritance and my future!" Adrian spat in her face. "Rot in hell!"

Back in the Grayson car, Nathaniel reclined, scanning documents. His voice was calm but probing. "Was it you?"

Evelyn, half-asleep, blinked. "Hm?"

"The surveillance footage on the screen," he clarified, watching her closely.