Chapter 129

Nathan's piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn.

"What's there to fear? The entire world knows you're mine." His declaration had been public - there was no way anyone remained unaware.

Evelyn brushed his hand away with an air of defiance. "A little respect, please?" The last thing she wanted was to be paraded around as 'Mr. Goldmann's property.'

Dark clouds gathered in Nathan's eyes.

It wasn't about public perception.

She simply refused to display affection where others could see.

Was she ashamed of him? Evelyn felt the weight of his possessive arm and saw the dangerous glint in his stare. Her pulse quickened.

This man might just kiss her right here to stake his claim. That would be disastrous.

Her demeanor shifted from proud to coy. "We're in public," she murmured demurely. "Could you let me maintain some dignity?"

Nathan stilled.

He'd mistaken her reluctance for rejection, when in truth she sought propriety.

A scoff escaped him.

"Fine. I'll indulge you." His grip loosened.

Oliver stood dumbfounded.

Since when did Mr. Goldmann yield so easily?

Evelyn exhaled.

As she turned to leave, a thought struck her.

"Wait," she pivoted back. "That investigation about my mother's connection to Edmund - did you uncover anything?" The question had haunted her since last night.

Edmund claimed it wasn't the right time for answers, but Evelyn needed to understand her mother's past.

If Nathan had been digging, he might have found something.

Seeing her desperate curiosity, Nathan's tight lips parted.

"Come to my office this afternoon."

When the appointed hour arrived, Evelyn stood outside Nathan's office door. A knock, permission granted, and she entered to find him lounging on the sofa, closing a file.

Those striking eyes lifted to meet hers.

That sculpted face - his perfect lips pressed into a severe line.

Evelyn averted her gaze.

The man was unfairly attractive.

Not just handsome, but a dangerous predator in a tailored suit.

Memories of what she'd witnessed made her cheeks burn.

Meeting his gaze again, Evelyn feigned a cough and approached with forced composure.

"Did you find anything?"

Nathan extended the file.

Evelyn took it and sat to examine the contents.

Isabella de Arma.

Her mother came from the de Armas? Why the name change?

Nathan studied her reaction. Clearly, she'd known nothing about her mother's origins.

"Meaning no one in the Vanderbilt family - including you - was aware." Had they known Richard's wife was Isabella de Arma, the Vanderbilts would have broadcast it to the heavens.

They worshipped nobility, after all.

"I... I didn't know," Evelyn admitted slowly. "But what significance does the surname hold?"

Nathan opened his laptop, displaying an image.

Evelyn gasped at the photograph.

There stood her youthful mother disembarking a yacht with Edmund, surrounded by black-clad guards.

"Uncle Edmund and Mom—" 'No! Were they involved?!'

Nathan moved beside her unexpectedly. "Look closer," he murmured.