"Jonathan, do you still blame your mother for abandoning you and your brothers?"

Nathaniel froze mid-step, his back rigid.

He didn’t turn around, leaving Samantha to wonder what expression he wore.

"Mother had her reasons... and she’s no longer here to explain them."

Samantha exhaled sharply. "I never knew she was already carrying Evelyn when she left. Had I known, I would have stopped her. But... what’s done is done."

She hesitated before continuing, "I’ve spent years regretting throwing Evelyn out in anger. All because of a man—if she loved him, I should have let her pursue it. Aurora never cared for Theodore Jr. anyway."

A sudden realization flickered in her eyes. "Theodore is Mr. Whitmore’s grandson, isn’t he? We’ll likely see him at the birthday dinner. You should warn him—he needs to take responsibility for what happened with Evelyn."

Nathaniel finally turned, his composure cracking.

"But... Evelyn is remarried now. She has a child."

"Didn’t she divorce?" Samantha arched a brow. "Or are you suggesting Aurora should marry Theodore Jr. instead?"

Nathaniel fell silent.

The Whitmores were a respectable family, but Theodore Jr. was far from exceptional—certainly not worthy of Aurora.

Aurora was refined, poised, the epitome of elegance. No ordinary man could match her.

But for Evelyn? Theodore Jr. was more than enough. Even before her divorce, she wouldn’t have been his equal—now, with a child in tow, the gap was even wider.

Nathaniel said nothing more.

Love couldn’t be forced. The future was unpredictable, and arguing over it was pointless.

That evening, Celeste received a call from Sebastian.

"Celeste, I had your phone repaired. But there’s no trace of the recording from that night."

Celeste stiffened. "What?"

"Are you absolutely certain you recorded it?" Sebastian pressed.

"Positive," she answered without hesitation. "When she pushed me, it was sudden—but I hit save the moment I hit the water."

"I see. I’ll have someone else examine it."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Samantha noticed her troubled expression. "Celeste, what’s wrong?"

Celeste relayed the conversation.

Samantha frowned. "It just vanished? That’s... suspicious."

A glint of doubt flashed in her eyes. She lowered her voice. "Celeste, do you truly trust Sebastian?"

Celeste caught her meaning. "I do."

"But you know you made that recording, and now it’s gone. Doesn’t that seem convenient? That recording could have changed everything—for you and Alexander. If Sebastian got close to you just for Victoria’s sake..."

She left the thought unfinished, but Celeste understood.

After all, Theodore Jr. had pulled similar tricks before.

Celeste shook her head. "Sebastian has helped me countless times. If there’s foul play, I’d sooner blame his technician than him."

Samantha relented. "You’re right—it could have been the technician. But without that recording, what now? It was our best weapon against Victoria."

Celeste exhaled. "Even if it’s deleted, traces might remain. Sebastian will figure it out."

Samantha nodded. They had bigger battles ahead—Victoria was merely a distraction.

Besides, Mr. Whitmore’s charity gala began tomorrow.