Chapter 179

Evelyn shoved Nathan's face away as he leaned in closer, his body pressed against hers like adhesive.

Oliver swung the door open and froze at the intimate scene before him.

Both Evelyn and Nathan turned their heads toward the interruption.

The atmosphere turned glacial.

Oliver immediately retreated, slamming the door shut behind him.

Evelyn pushed Nathan away with practiced ease. "Enough of this show. I'm leaving."

"Wait." Nathan caught her wrist.

She turned back, eyebrows raised, only to see his knowing smirk.

"Don't you want to know about the Laurent family?" he purred.

Evelyn stiffened. The Laurents? Was this why he'd summoned her?

"You've discovered it already?" Her gaze dropped to the floor. She could never hide anything from him.

"Mrs. Laurent is your aunt - Lillian de Arma, of the prestigious de Arma lineage," Nathan revealed.

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

Lillian de Arma. Her mother's sister.

She'd only recently learned about her mother's noble heritage, but this familial connection shocked her.

All this time, Mrs. Laurent had been her blood relative!

Yet she'd been helping Vivian all along.

Nathan rose and stalked toward her, caging her against the desk. "Vivian stole your identity. She's been pretending to be Miranda de Arma's daughter."

Evelyn's head snapped up in shock. "How could the Laurents not see through her lies until now?"

A storm of emotions raged within her.

Nathan traced her lips with his thumb. "Zoe, if it bothers you, I can help reclaim what's rightfully yours."

Evelyn hesitated, then gave a small smile at his serious expression. "Thank you, Nathan, but Vivian is my problem to handle."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "You think I'm incapable?"

"I never said that."

Nathan's expression turned wounded. "Then why won't you lean on me, just this once?"

He buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Evelyn froze. The ruthless CEO was showing vulnerability? No woman could resist that.

Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze. "Fine. Help if you must."

The next afternoon, at the Siberian Prince Hotel's exclusive tearoom...

Madam Nora and Evelyn enjoyed an elegant high tea service in a private salon.

"I heard the Laurents are targeting your jewelry studio. What did you do to provoke them?" Madam Nora inquired.

Evelyn set down her bone china cup gracefully. "Provoke is too strong a word. Our designs coincidentally matched at the auction. Since the Laurents back Vivian, they're trying to eliminate competition."

Madam Nora's interest visibly piqued. "Do tell me more about these identical designs."

Seeing no reason for secrecy, Evelyn recounted the entire story.

Madam Nora's teacup clattered against its saucer. "Vivian's design was yours too?"

"I gave it to her, yes."

The older woman frowned in confusion. "What's between you two?"

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "She's my stepsister. She and her mother tried framing me. I'm simply returning the favor."

She traced the rim of her cup. "I was meant to be their victim, not Penelope Santiago. Had I not been careful, it would be my reputation in ruins instead."