Chapter 56

Evelyn lifted her head weakly, spotting Margaret standing there. Shock flickered across her face.

Despite her exhaustion, she managed a faint greeting. "Grandmother? What are you doing here...?"

Before Margaret could respond, Abigail stepped forward, hands on her hips, her voice dripping with disdain. "Evelyn Whitmore! Have you no shame? The Graysons would never accept a woman like you into the family!"

Benjamin smirked, clearly enjoying the scene. "Evelyn, there's no point pretending now. We caught you."

Evelyn's brows furrowed. She didn't have the strength to argue.

Unlike the others who had stormed in, Nathaniel remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on Evelyn. She still looked pale, her condition concerning. He studied the dynamics between her and the intruders, piecing things together.

After steadying Evelyn on the bed, he stood and offered a polite smile. "Madam, I wasn't aware of your arrival. Had I known, I would have greeted you properly."

Abigail scoffed. "Oh, please! If we'd warned you, you'd have covered your tracks. And my grandmother doesn't need your fake pleasantries!"

Nathaniel's smile didn't waver, but his eyes turned cold as he ignored Abigail. He addressed Margaret calmly. "Madam, Evelyn was feeling unwell. She nearly collapsed on her way to the restroom. I was simply assisting her when you all arrived."

Benjamin let out a mocking laugh. "How convenient. Do you really expect us to believe that? What else would a man and woman be doing alone in a room?"

Nathaniel's gaze sharpened, his smile turning icy. "Benjamin, I don’t recall you being invited to this exhibition."

Benjamin stiffened, caught off guard. "I—I came on behalf of my brother."

Nathaniel arched a brow. "Did you?"

Just then, Gabrielle hurried in, confusion written across her face. "Benjamin, there you are! Why did you call me here so urgently? What's going on?"

She had been enjoying tea with friends when Benjamin called, claiming he had proof of Evelyn's infidelity.

Benjamin pointed triumphantly at Evelyn. "Gabrielle, look! I caught her red-handed. Not only is she a thief, but she's also cheating!"

Gabrielle's eyes widened as she took in the scene—Evelyn on the bed, wrapped in a blanket, Nathaniel standing protectively beside her. Her expression shifted to shock and disappointment. "Evelyn... How could you? I never thought you'd do something like this!"

Evelyn met Gabrielle's gaze but said nothing. The pain in her stomach worsened, her face ashen. To the others, it looked like guilt.

Gabrielle sighed dramatically and moved to Margaret's side, taking her hand. "Madam, please, don’t be upset. What's done is done. We’ll just have to see what Nathaniel decides."

Margaret ignored Gabrielle’s touch, her sharp eyes never leaving Evelyn. She refused to believe the accusations blindly.

"Evelyn," she said firmly, "tell me what happened. I want to hear your side."

Gabrielle stiffened, withdrawing her hand awkwardly.

Evelyn winced as another wave of pain hit her. She forced herself to meet Margaret’s gaze. "Grandmother, I came to see the exhibition but started feeling ill. Mister Ashford was only helping me when I nearly fainted."

Her pallor was undeniable. Margaret’s expression softened slightly.

"You're sick? What’s wrong?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.