Chapter 493

Amelia pressed her lips together and exhaled sharply. "Some people rush into relationships so fast—sleeping together on the first meeting. We're practically saints compared to them, Evelyn. I can't fathom how any woman could be so... careless."

The girls Amelia had brought with her immediately pulled out their phones, texting their friends to come witness the drama. Exactly the reaction Amelia had hoped for.

She wanted everyone to see with their own eyes that Evelyn was the kind of woman who would jump into bed with a stranger. That way, Nathaniel would never look at her the same way again.

Despite the venom in her thoughts, Amelia wore an expression of gentle concern. "Even if things moved too quickly between Evelyn and Julian, they're both single. They can do whatever they want. It's not our place to judge."

Freedom? Is that her excuse for locking herself in a bathroom with a man she just met? A sudden, inexplicable fury burned in Samuel's chest, one he couldn't quite suppress.

Over the past few days, he'd started to see Evelyn differently—competent, hardworking, nothing like the reckless girl he'd assumed her to be.

Now, that fragile respect shattered into disgust.

How could a woman who carries herself with such dignity be so shameless? Is this how she was raised?

Samuel clenched his jaw, his voice dangerously calm. "Open the door, Amelia. Tell her to come out."

Amelia hesitated, playing the reluctant mediator before finally stepping toward the bathroom. Of course, she wanted this more than anyone—to watch Evelyn's reputation crumble in front of everyone.

She knocked lightly, feigning politeness. "Evelyn? If you don't come out, I'll have to open the door."

Silence.

With a theatrical sigh, Amelia turned the knob and stepped inside. "Evelyn?"

The bathroom was empty. Only the sound of running water from the half-filled tub echoed in the space.

Where is she?

Gabrielle followed Amelia inside, eyes widening in shock. They searched every corner, but Evelyn was nowhere to be found.

A crowd had already gathered at the door, whispering excitedly, eager to catch a glimpse of the scandalous woman who couldn’t wait to sneak off with a man.

When Amelia informed Samuel that Evelyn wasn’t there, he strode into the bathroom himself, scanning the space before turning to Julian with a glare. "Where is she?"

Julian was just as confused. He had no idea how Evelyn had vanished. But he was quick to play dumb. "Who? I don’t know any Evelyn. You’ve got the wrong room."

Samuel's eyes darkened. "Last chance. Where. Is. Evelyn?"

Julian swallowed hard. "I—I don’t—"

"Mister Samuel! Were you looking for me?"

Evelyn’s voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, clear and composed.

Everyone turned.

There she stood—completely dry, perfectly poised, as if she hadn’t just been the center of a scandal.