Chapter 77

"Evelyn, my dear. For my sake, can you—" Margaret still hoped she could mediate between the two.

But Evelyn stood firm. "Grandma, this isn't the first time. Last time, she dragged you to the art gallery to catch me in some fabricated affair. Now, she’s accusing me of being an escort and hurling insults at me. I can’t keep forgiving someone who repeatedly humiliates me. And she’s never once apologized sincerely. I hope you understand, Grandma."

Margaret sighed helplessly. She understood Evelyn’s anger—no woman would tolerate such slander. Abigail had crossed the line, not once, but twice.

‘Abigail… She’s been spoiled rotten. It’s time she learned some manners, but she’s so fragile… Sigh. At least Evelyn said she’d let it go.’

Abigail smirked, confident her grandmother wouldn’t punish her. ‘So what if I insulted you? Grandma won’t do a thing about it!’

"Apologize. Now." Nathaniel’s voice cut through the room like ice, sharp and unyielding.

The atmosphere plummeted. The staff froze—rarely did the young master speak so harshly to his sister. Clearly, he was furious on his wife’s behalf.

Abigail paled. "Nathaniel, why are you taking her side? She must’ve poisoned you against me!"

Nathaniel’s gaze was calm but unrelenting. "You insulted her. You will apologize."

Evelyn glanced at him, surprised. ‘He’s actually being fair… Not defending his sister just because she’s family.’

Abigail’s eyes welled with frustrated tears. "I won’t—"

"Now." Nathaniel’s tone left no room for defiance.

She flinched. She could push Margaret’s patience, but never Nathaniel’s.

Gritting her teeth, she bowed stiffly. "I’m sorry."

Evelyn didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, she turned to Margaret. "Grandma, I need to pick up my things from the station. Don’t wait for me for dinner."

Margaret’s heart ached—she’d failed to rein in her granddaughter. "Let me come with you."

Evelyn considered it, then nodded. "Alright. We can grab dinner afterward—my treat."

Margaret smiled warmly. "Nonsense. I’ll treat you."

Hand in hand, they left, their bond unshaken.

Abigail seethed. "She ignored me after I apologized! Nathaniel, are you just going to let her—"

"No dinner for you tonight. Reflect on what you’ve done." Nathaniel shot her a cold look before following Evelyn and Margaret.

Abigail clenched her fists. ‘Why are they all siding with her? I hate her! I need to find out what went wrong at the station—how did she escape?’

She remembered vividly—Edward had knocked Evelyn out and taken her to that hotel. He’d locked her in with that repulsive man. So how had she returned home unscathed?

Something had gone terribly wrong. And Abigail would uncover the truth—no matter what it took.