Chapter 173

Vanessa stood frozen in shock, her entire body trembling under Nathan's unyielding glare. The air between them crackled with tension.

"Mother..." she whispered hoarsely.

Eleanor Blackwell gasped at her son's harsh pronouncement. "Nathan, have you lost your mind?"

"Your constant coddling created this monster," Nathan countered icily. "Now she'll face the consequences."

Eleanor's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "But she's your—"

Humiliation burned through Vanessa like wildfire. Without another word, she turned and fled through the crowded room.

"Vanessa! Wait!" Eleanor called desperately, rushing after her daughter.

Evelyn Carter observed the family drama with detached amusement. Justice, however belated, had been served.

Harrison Whitmore materialized at her side, his warm hand settling on her shoulder. "It's over. Let's go."

She gave a curt nod. "Indeed."

Harrison's glacial stare locked onto Nathan, making the Sterling heir visibly flinch. The sight of them standing together seemed to physically pain him.

"Happy now that you've destroyed my sister?" Nathan spat, hands clenched in his pockets.

Evelyn's lips curled into a feline smile. "I didn't dig her grave. She brought the shovel herself."

Nathan barely recognized this version of Evelyn. The woman he'd married would never have been so ruthless.

"You could have shown mercy," he argued. "Vanessa's just a girl."

"Mercy?" Evelyn scoffed, tossing her chestnut hair. "Respect is earned, not given."

Harrison stepped forward, his voice dripping with menace. "Your family's reputation is the least of your worries, Sterling. How's that merger with Horizon Technologies going?"

Nathan's face darkened instantly. The recent business losses had been catastrophic—all orchestrated by Kingsley Industries.

"Are you declaring war?" Nathan growled, his pride wounded.

Harrison smirked. "Consider it already declared. May the best man win."

Their gazes clashed like dueling swords. Harrison had been waiting years for this moment of reckoning.

"Evelyn," Harrison murmured, extending his hand.

She hesitated briefly before placing her palm in his. The warmth of his touch sent unexpected sparks up her arm.

As they walked away, Nathan's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. Gregory Hammond emerged from the shadows, shaking his head.

"Keep this up, and you'll lose her forever," Gregory warned quietly.

The truth of those words settled like lead in Nathan's stomach as he watched Evelyn disappear into the night—hand in hand with his greatest rival.