Chapter 356

His expression was unreadable, eyes giving nothing away.

Nathaniel narrowed his gaze. "Cassandra, do you all believe I'm in love with Isabella?"

Who exactly was included in that "you all"? Only Nathaniel could say for certain.

Cassandra hesitated before answering, "Isn't that obvious?"

A frown creased his brow. "Misconceptions can be dangerous."

"Nathaniel, I don’t understand. Are you saying—?"

"Not everything you witness is the truth."

Silence settled between them.

Normally sharp, Cassandra found herself at a loss.

She couldn’t accept it.

Does he really not love Isabella?

Then why?

From what she knew, Isabella was thriving under Martin Entertainment. Wasn’t Nathaniel supporting her career?

Yet his detached demeanor suggested otherwise.

Pressing her lips together, Cassandra fell deep into thought.

Back at Martin Group headquarters, Nathaniel instructed Samuel to escort Cassandra to the competition site while he called Evelyn.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Working."

Her reply was clipped.

His voice softened. "Are you upset with me?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because I wasn’t entirely honest. Does that bother you?"

"You’re imagining things."

Evelyn refused to admit the truth, her tone icy.

After a pause, Nathaniel explained, "I didn’t mean to withhold anything. Cassandra’s trip to Marseille was business-related. That’s why I answered the way I did."

"I see. Anything else? I’m swamped with preparations for the competition."

Nathaniel’s voice dropped lower. "Evelyn, are you truly buried in designs, or are you avoiding me?"

"I’m not."

"Not what?"

"Nathaniel, you’re infuriating."

Her irritation flared.

Why does he keep pushing?

Was he wrong? Not exactly. But his lack of transparency grated on her.

She ended the call abruptly and threw herself into her work.

The afternoon passed in a blur of sketches and discussions with Gabrielle and the team. By the time they wrapped up, evening had fallen.

The competition was only two days away.

It had been years since Evelyn last participated in something of this scale. Nerves prickled beneath her focus.

Gathering her materials, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out.

The elevator descended smoothly. As she stepped into the parking lot, her gaze snagged on a sleek black Mercedes idling near the curb.

She hesitated, then approached.

The passenger door swung open as she reached it. Nathaniel waited inside.

Evelyn didn’t move. "Why are you here?"

"To drive you home."

"That’s unnecessary. You already arranged a car for me. I can manage."

The faint scent of tobacco lingered in the air. Nathaniel studied her, his gaze unwavering.

"I insist."