Chapter 487

"Gabrielle, Evelyn is only working with Samuel. Don't read too much into it! You're drunk. Come on, let's get some air."

Gabrielle's face twisted with frustration, unwilling to let Evelyn walk away so easily. Thankfully, Amelia managed to talk her down, and the tension slowly eased. With one last venomous glare at Evelyn, Gabrielle followed Amelia out to the balcony.

The night air was crisp, sharp against Gabrielle's flushed skin. The alcohol haze lifted slightly, but the bitterness remained. "Amelia, you shouldn't have stopped me. I should've taught that woman a lesson!"

Amelia sighed, her expression gentle but firm. "Gabrielle, think. This is my aunt Beatrice's birthday party. Do you really want to make a scene?"

The realization hit Gabrielle like ice water. She shuddered. Beatrice Sterling wasn't just any host—she was a force of nature, ruthless to anyone who dared disrupt her events.

If Gabrielle had caused trouble tonight, Beatrice would've thrown her out without hesitation—and any hope of winning Nathaniel's favor would've vanished forever.

"You're right," Gabrielle muttered, gripping the railing. "I almost ruined everything."

Amelia gave a small, knowing smile.

Truthfully, she hadn't intervened out of kindness. She would've loved to see Gabrielle tear into Evelyn. But not here, not now—not when Amelia would be dragged into the fallout.

A voice cut through the quiet. "Well, well. Amelia Rivers. It's been too long."

Amelia turned to see a man in a gaudy checkered suit swaggering toward them, wineglass in hand. His smirk was all too familiar.

"Julian," she said flatly.

Julian Blackwood—her cousin, and a man with a reputation as filthy as his grin. A few years in prison hadn't changed that.

His gaze slid past Amelia, locking onto Gabrielle with predatory interest. "And this must be the famous Gabrielle Winslow. My, how you've grown."

Gabrielle recoiled, disgust twisting her features. If he weren't Amelia's family, she'd have slapped him already.

Amelia saw the hunger in Julian's eyes—and an idea sparked. She gestured subtly toward the banquet hall. "See that girl over there? Single. And exactly your type."

Julian's attention shifted. His eyes landed on Evelyn, pure and radiant amidst the crowd.

His grin widened. "Now that is a masterpiece."