Chapter 56

"Are you okay?" Julian asked softly, voice carrying a hint of concern. He could tell Evelyn wasn't in a great mood. When he thought about Nathaniel being the reason, his eyes darkened subtly, full of suppressed displeasure. "I'm fine," Evelyn replied flatly. Julian still seemed worried, but since she insisted, he didn't press further. Just then, he heard Clara's voice in the background, informing someone was at the door. Julian figured Natalie Lane must've arrived. "You should go," he said. "Yeah, talk later," Evelyn responded before hanging up the call. She set her phone down and turned to Clara. "Let her wait in the side parlor. I'll be right down." Clara nodded and left quickly. Evelyn sat there for a moment, replaying Julian's words in her mind, her lips curling with a trace of sarcasm. Sure enough—it was Natalie Lane. Even without Julian giving her the heads-up, she'd never buy anything Natalie said without proof. But something in Julian's tone hinted at more—maybe he and Natalie