Chapter 264

Nathan Goldmann sighed deeply as he stared at his phone screen. "I miss Evelyn already. It's only been one day."

Oliver Lawson couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Sir, she’s only going to be at the training camp for two weeks, not years."

Would he lose his mind if she were gone longer?

A knock interrupted them, and Rosalind Summers stepped into the office with a practiced smile.

"Nathan, your grandfather is returning to the Goldmann estate, and since Evelyn isn’t here, he asked me to pick up the children tonight."

Nathan’s expression darkened slightly.

The kids don’t like Rosalind. They’ll throw a fit if she shows up.

"That won’t be necessary," he replied coolly. "I’ll handle it myself and take them to the Vanderbilt manor."

He had promised Evelyn he’d visit Richard whenever possible.

Rosalind’s smile didn’t falter. "Very well. I’ll take my leave then."

The moment she turned away, her pleasant facade vanished, replaced by icy displeasure.

By the elevator, she pulled out her phone, her voice devoid of warmth. "Winifred, are you still at the camp? Good. I’ll visit you tomorrow."

The next day, Evelyn and Rachel Dixon walked across the training grounds.

"Field training starts tomorrow," Rachel said. "Any thoughts on who you want as your partner?"

Evelyn shrugged. "Doesn’t matter. I’ll go with whatever the instructor decides."

Field training meant being sent deep into the mountains, paired with another trainee. Evelyn wasn’t picky—she just needed to complete the mission.

As they approached their dorm, a familiar figure came into view.

Rosalind.

"Evelyn," she greeted smoothly. "How’s training treating you?"

Rachel, who didn’t know her, studied Rosalind with interest.

She’s striking, but in a sharp, almost aggressive way. Evelyn’s beauty is more refined—elegant and intelligent.

Evelyn kept her tone neutral. "It’s been fine. What brings you here?"

"I came to see a friend. I trained here once, you know." Rosalind tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, deliberately drawing attention to the white jade ring on her thumb.

Evelyn’s gaze flickered to it, her expression cooling.

That’s the ring Nathan bought at The Jade Store.

Rosalind noticed her stare and lifted her hand, fingers brushing the ring. "You like it? I admired it when we were shopping, but I never expected Nathan to buy it for me."

Evelyn forced a smile. "It suits you."

She turned to leave, but Rosalind stopped her.

"Don’t misunderstand, Evelyn. Nathan and I have known each other since childhood."

Evelyn paused.

Again with the childhood card. Is she trying to claim some kind of seniority?

She turned back, her smile razor-sharp. "No misunderstanding at all. But no matter how close you two are, you’re still just his childhood friend."

With that, she walked away, Rachel hurrying after her.