Chapter 354

Theodore announced the visitors with urgency. "Mister Nathaniel, the Rivers family has arrived."

Lucas Sinclair blinked in surprise. The Rivers never visited the Grayson estate uninvited. Their families' bitter history made such encounters rare, especially without prior notice.

Nathaniel set down his silverware. "Why are they here?"

Theodore adjusted his tie. "Their representative said they brought Benjamin to apologize properly. Miss Amelia is waiting in the car as well."

A shadow crossed Nathaniel's face. "Let them in."

Moments later, Oliver Kingsley entered with Benjamin trailing behind him. Amelia remained conspicuously absent.

Oliver bowed slightly. "Mister Grayson. Samuel asked me to return your vehicle and express his gratitude for yesterday's assistance. Without your car, he and Miss Amelia would've been stranded on Yonder Bridge for hours."

Nathaniel sliced his steak with deliberate precision. "If he's truly grateful, why send an underling instead of coming himself?"

Oliver maintained his composure despite the tension. Years serving Samuel had trained him for difficult interactions, yet Nathaniel's presence still unnerved him.

"My apologies, Mister Grayson. Samuel is currently abroad on business. Otherwise, he would've delivered his thanks personally."

The dining room fell silent except for the clink of cutlery. Nathaniel's lack of response made Oliver shift uncomfortably before nudging Benjamin forward.

"Benjamin. Now."

The usually vibrant young man hung his head. His fingers twisted together as he stepped forward, shoulders hunched like a man approaching the gallows.

"Nathaniel... I—" His voice cracked. Swallowing hard, he forced the words out. "It was me. I leaked that edited video of Evelyn. I stole that influencer's phone from Samuel's office and doctored the footage to make Evelyn look terrible. I wanted revenge for what happened to Gabrielle."

Lucas Sinclair's jaw dropped. Of all possible culprits, Benjamin was the last person he'd suspect. The boy had mischief in him, sure, but this level of calculated malice? Unthinkable.

Yet memories surfaced—Benjamin's previous clashes with Evelyn, his fierce loyalty to Gabrielle. The pieces clicked into place with unsettling clarity.

Oliver studied Nathaniel's impassive face, perplexed by his lack of reaction. "Mister Grayson, Benjamin is young and impulsive. Samuel disciplined him severely upon discovering his actions. We brought him today for you to administer whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

Nathaniel finally looked up, his gaze sharp enough to flay skin. "Tell me, Benjamin. What exactly happened at the embankment that day?"

Benjamin swallowed audibly. "Evelyn... she helped my grandfather. The influencer was harassing him because of his blindness. Evelyn intervened." His voice dropped to a whisper. "She protected him when no one else would."

The air thickened. Nathaniel's next words fell like a guillotine blade. "And you repaid that kindness with slander?"

Benjamin flinched as if struck. Across the room, Theodore gripped the doorframe, bracing for the storm about to break.