Chapter 324

Evelyn poured water and arranged fresh fruit for Nathaniel before returning to the dinner table.

Nathaniel frowned, his gaze fixed on Evelyn. "Have dinner with Evelyn. Stop staring," Victoria chided. He remained silent, but Victoria never spoke without reason. Something important must be brewing—yet unspoken. So he waited.

Nathaniel and Evelyn ate in complete silence, not a single word exchanged between them.

Victoria noticed immediately. They were definitely fighting.

As they finished their meal, Victoria took a brief stroll around the room. Evelyn set down her fork. Nathaniel began clearing the dishes, and Victoria smiled approvingly. "Nathaniel, Evelyn is pregnant now. You must take care of her. Handle all the chores—don’t let her lift a finger. Understood?"

Nathaniel didn’t respond, merely shooting her a glance.

Evelyn broke the tension. "Victoria, should we visit Beatrice now?"

"Of course."

They crossed to the neighboring apartment, gifts for Beatrice in hand.

By the time Nathaniel finished washing up and joined them, the room was already lively. No one paid him any attention.

Victoria was a natural conversationalist, effortlessly charming Beatrice. Both women were refined, their discussion pleasant and engaging.

An hour passed before Victoria made her move.

"Beatrice," she began, "Evelyn is pregnant, and the Martins are at fault here. Nathaniel and Evelyn have been married over a year without a proper wedding. Given her condition, we’ll have to wait until after the baby arrives. But I promise you—we will give Evelyn the wedding she deserves. Let’s start planning now, shall we? That way, we can prepare everything in advance. What do you think?"

Her tone was apologetic yet firm, impossible to dislike.

Beatrice blinked, caught off guard. A wedding discussion? Now? Her eyes darted to Evelyn. The room fell quiet.

Victoria pressed on. "Beatrice, please say something. If you agree, our families can meet for dinner and set a date."

"That depends on Evelyn and Nathaniel."

"Evelyn will follow your lead. As for Nathaniel—his marriage is decided by his father and me. His grandfather has a say too. It’s not his decision to make."

Just like that, Nathaniel—CEO of the Martin Group—was stripped of any authority in his own marriage.

Beatrice chuckled, then turned to Evelyn. "What do you think of Victoria’s suggestion?" She always let Evelyn make her own choices.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, voice calm. "Victoria, I’m pregnant. A wedding isn’t urgent. Even if we decide now, it’s just picking a date. There’s no rush."

"No rush?" Victoria gasped. "There’s everything to consider! The date, the venue, the dress, the catering—" She whirled toward Nathaniel. "Speak up. What’s your opinion?"

"You said my opinion doesn’t matter."

"Don’t be difficult. What do you think?"

Nathaniel’s eyes locked onto Evelyn. "Whatever."

"Meaning?"

"The wedding can happen whenever."

Victoria beamed. "See, Evelyn? Nathaniel is eager to marry you properly."

Evelyn’s expression remained blank. "Victoria, I still think we should wait. Let’s discuss this after the baby is born. Who knows what the future holds?"

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension.