Chapter 161

Nathan had no intention of making any advances. He simply wanted to hold Evelyn close as they drifted off to sleep.

"Sleep."

Feeling Nathan's steady breathing against her back, Evelyn gradually relaxed, letting drowsiness claim her.

Morning light filtered through the curtains as Evelyn and Nathan descended the stairs together.

Richard had personally prepared breakfast. His smile widened at their arrival. "You're awake. Eat something before you leave."

Evelyn took her seat just as Lydia and Madam Victoria made their grand entrance, both dressed to impress.

"Zoe, did you sleep well last night?" Madam Victoria's voice dripped with false sweetness.

Evelyn forced a polite smile. "Yes, quite well."

Madam Victoria nudged Lydia forward with a meaningful glance. The younger woman approached Evelyn with practiced grace. "Evelyn, may I sit here?"

"Be my guest."

Lydia settled beside her, adopting a demure tone. "I'm still new to Bassburgh. Grandmother suggested you show me around the city. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Lydia had initially pinned her hopes on Vivian, but that plan had crumbled. Now, she saw Evelyn as her golden ticket to Nathan's attention.

A man like Nathan—wealthy, powerful, and devastatingly handsome—was rare. Even Madam Victoria approved of him.

Lydia was certain her beauty could steal Nathan away from Evelyn.

Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind: Men don't want equals. They want delicate flowers who know their place.

Hadn't her own uncle proven that? He'd abandoned his strong-willed wife for a docile mistress.

Lydia was confident she could be exactly what Nathan desired.

Richard's expression darkened when Evelyn remained silent. "Evelyn and Nathan have responsibilities. They don't have time for sightseeing."

Madam Victoria interjected, "Nonsense! Surely they can spare a moment for family. Lydia could even accompany Evelyn to work."

The old woman knew exactly what she was doing. Controlling Evelyn was impossible, but Lydia? Lydia was pliable.

If she could orchestrate a romance between Lydia and Nathan, her future would be secure.

Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smile. She saw right through the scheme.

Hypocrisy runs in the family.

"Of course," Evelyn said smoothly. "Though not just anyone can enter Goldmann Corp. If you're truly interested, I have an intern position available."

Nathan's gaze turned glacial. What was she playing at?

Madam Victoria gasped. "How could you demean your cousin like that?"

Evelyn cut her off with a dismissive wave. "She's not a child. Shouldn't she learn to stand on her own? After all, even gold diggers need credentials these days."

Her words were a direct slap to Madam Victoria's outdated beliefs.

The old matriarch had raised her grandson to be useless and her granddaughter to be a trophy wife.

Bringing Lydia to Bassburgh?

It was nothing more than a hunt for wealth.