Chapter 78

Evelyn offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your concern, everyone. I'm fully recovered now."

She continued calmly, "Regarding the accident... I trust our legal system won't permit injustice against the innocent. Nor will it allow the guilty to escape consequences."

The journalists immediately redirected their questions toward Julian.

"Online rumors suggest Harrison abandoned all his commitments after the accident to personally care for you. Can you confirm this?"

"Would you share some details about your relationship with Harrison Whitmore?"

"Are wedding preparations underway between you two?"

Evelyn gave an exasperated chuckle. They never forgot the juiciest topics. "At present, I have no comment regarding my relationship with Harrison."

Recognizing her firm stance, the reporters began dispersing.

Nathan observed from the sidelines. That "no comment" earned Evelyn a sharp glance from him.

He burned with questions - about Julian's involvement, about her mysterious connection with that insufferable Harrison Whitmore.

His curiosity matched the media's intensity.

Yet all he could do was watch Evelyn grab her purse and stride away with that infuriating confidence.

That evening found Nathan back in Sterling Enterprises' CEO office.

The entire day spent dealing with Isabella's police station ordeal had drained him.

Isabella had been released on bail pending trial. Her incessant weeping grated on his nerves, so he'd sent her back to Delaney Manor.

The inevitable chaos at home - Eleanor and Vanessa's bickering - held no appeal. The office provided much-needed solitude.

Flipping the lights on, he froze.

Alistair Delaney occupied his chair.

The initial shock faded quickly. Given Isabella's situation, the Delaney patriarch's presence made sense.

"Good evening, Mr. Delaney."

Alistair cut through formalities. "When are you making an honest woman of my granddaughter?"

Nathan paused mid-motion while hanging his coat. The same question had haunted him.

"Let's discuss this after the current situation stabilizes. My schedule's been overwhelming."

"Humph! You've been divorced for months!" Alistair's cane struck the floor sharply. "Yet you still hesitate to formalize things with Isabella! What game are you playing?"

Nathan's irritation flared. "She now has a criminal record from that staged accident. My family won't approve easily."

Alistair scoffed. "You married that nobody Evelyn Carter without hesitation. And now you balk at a minor legal issue?"

"Minor?" Nathan's voice turned icy. "Attempted murder qualifies as minor to you?"

"Never forget - the Sterlings owe our family a life!" Alistair slammed both palms on the desk, his glare murderous.

"Danielle's death resulted from your brother's recklessness! Now Isabella bears the scarlet letter of 'the other woman' because of you!"

"Her reputation's in tatters thanks to your family's disgrace. How much more humiliation must the Delaneys endure?"

"Insult me all you want, Mr. Delaney. But Alexander... is gone. Let the past rest." Pain flickered in Nathan's eyes.

Years ago, his eldest brother Alexander and Isabella's sister Danielle had perished together in a tragic accident.

That day branded the Sterlings forever indebted to the Delaneys.

As for Isabella... truthfully, he remained baffled. One drunken night he barely recalled.

He'd awakened to find a tearful, naked Isabella beside him. Her pitiful sobs would've moved stone.

Then came her pregnancy announcement.

When Evelyn discovered it, she'd demanded divorce papers. Even now, the events felt surreal.

"Some wrongs demand eternal remembrance!" Alistair rose, his warning unmistakable. "This is your final warning regarding Isabella. Refuse again, and that Carter girl will learn what consequences mean."

His smile turned cruel. "Let's see how protective you remain then."

Nathan's gaze turned lethal. "Evelyn stays out of this."

"That's not your decision!" Alistair kicked the office door open and stormed out.

Alone in the darkness, Nathan's fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.

At Kingsley Manor, Olivia studied Evelyn intently.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Planning to stare holes through me?"

"Thank goodness you're intact. Still gorgeous, all limbs accounted for." Olivia flopped onto the sofa dramatically.

Suddenly she sat upright, eyes gleaming mischievously. "So... rumor has it Harrison Whitmore played knight in shining armor?"

Evelyn's lips curved slightly as she nodded.

That dark silhouette in the night remained etched in her memory. Even the recollection now made her pulse quicken.

"He was legendary at our university! What are the odds he'd rescue you? Julian mentioned he arranged a mobile blood bank! How romantic!"

Olivia's knowing glances practically screamed for gossip.

"Aunt Beatrice probably instructed him," Evelyn deflected. "Besides..."

"Besides what? Spill it!" Olivia bounced excitedly.

"I haven't seen him since regaining consciousness. He's... preoccupied."

Olivia groaned. "That's not how this story should go!"

"There is no story!" Evelyn lunged playfully to tickle her friend.

After resting, Evelyn arrived punctually at Kingsley Industries' office.

She'd barely settled when Natalie called.

"Hey superstar, how's our little project progressing?"

"Flawlessly. Everything's falling into place."

Public sentiment had turned decisively against Isabella, with overwhelming sympathy for Evelyn.

The trending headline "CEO 'S' Turns Blind Eye" gained traction by the hour.

"Got a charity gala tonight. You know how I dread these things."

Evelyn chuckled. "Fine, I'll babysit you."

Natalie's bluntness often created awkward social moments. With Evelyn smoothing things over, events became bearable.