Nick capitalizes on the situation in a way that Evelyn might once have done, had she still been hungry for fame and success. Her response shows that she’s not concerned with whether Nick’s request is reasonable or ethical—she’s resigned to do whatever it takes to get him out of her life. Though the book doesn’t make it explicit, it's clear to the reader that Evelyn manipulated the hospital and news media to report the death as an aneurysm—an event much less dramatic, and much less likely to lead to questions, than a car crash.