Chapter 471

Nathaniel hummed absently while eating. His responses were polite yet distant, maintaining an air of cool detachment.

Midway through lunch, his phone buzzed. Without hesitation, he stood and excused himself, leaving the office.

Gabrielle frowned as she watched him go. He'd barely touched his food. Was it because she'd cooked it? Had she failed to meet his tastes?

Amelia noticed her friend's unease. She reached out and gave Gabrielle's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't take it personally. My brother's always like this—skipping meals, working nonstop. It's not about you."

Gabrielle nodded, though her shoulders remained tense.

Amelia suddenly perked up. "Oh! Aunt Beatrice's birthday party is tomorrow. Do you have a dress ready?"

Gabrielle blinked. She'd completely forgotten. "Amelia, doesn't your aunt still enforce that 'plus-one' rule? I wonder if Nathaniel has already found someone to accompany him this year."

Amelia smirked. "Relax. You've been his partner every year. Why would this one be any different?"

Gabrielle's lips curved into a grateful smile. "You always know just what to say."

Amelia grinned. "But you just got out of prison—you probably haven't had time to shop, right? Let's go pick out something stunning. Knock him dead tomorrow."

Gabrielle hesitated. "What about Ethan?"

Amelia glanced down at the drowsy toddler in her arms, his eyelids drooping.

Just then, Nathaniel's office door swung open. Evelyn was still typing furiously at her desk.

Amelia approached her with a polite smile. "Evelyn, Gabrielle and I need to step out for a bit. Would you mind watching Ethan?"

Evelyn looked up, unimpressed. "Me?" She shook her head. "Babysitting isn't in my job description."

Amelia tried again, softer this time. "We won't be long. Just a quick trip downstairs. I need to grab a few things for him too."

Evelyn didn't even pause her typing. "Miss Rivers, you have two options: take him with you, or ask his uncle—your brother and my boss—to watch him. Either would be better than leaving him with a stranger."

Amelia sighed. "But Ethan's asleep, and Nathaniel isn't here. Besides, he wouldn't know the first thing about childcare."

Evelyn's smile was razor-thin. "I've never had children either. If Mr. Grayson can't handle it, I certainly can't. And I have deadlines. Sorry, but no."

Amelia's shoulders slumped. "Fine." She turned back to Gabrielle, defeated. "Looks like I can't go with you. Maybe ask someone else?"

Gabrielle's eyes flashed. "No. Absolutely not." She glared at Evelyn. "Amelia, she works for your family. Who does she think she is, refusing you?"