Chapter 182

Sebastian revealed everything to his boss in careful ambiguity. As Dominic's right-hand man, he trusted his employer's sharp intellect. Surely the man could deduce Yvette's schemes.

Yet Dominic remained an enigma. His decades of experience and social standing prevented him from acting like some brutish thug. The billionaire never let his emotions show, making him utterly unpredictable.

Sebastian had no clue how his boss would handle this situation. He could only wait and watch while attending to his own responsibilities.

Down in the design department...

Since Yvette's arrival, office chatter had taken a dramatic turn. Conversations jumped from high-society debutantes to A-list celebrities, occasionally touching on powerful tycoons.

The monotony of corporate life needed spicing up. Gossip became their favorite pastime, with Yvette always at the center. Even department head Vivienne Laurent turned a blind eye.

Abigail Thornton fumed silently. As a junior team leader, she couldn't intervene without her superior's approval. She had to endure the nonsense.

"Yvette, have you met Lillian Prescott in person?" a colleague asked eagerly.

Yvette pretended to consider. "Naturally."

"Is she as stunning as she appears on screen?"

"In reality..." Yvette feigned hesitation. "She's quite average. Relies heavily on makeup and editing."

The truth? Yvette had never laid eyes on the rising starlet. Lillian, the breakout actress of the year, had become Hollywood's newest darling after her lead role in a blockbuster.

The colleague worshipped Yvette's apparent connections. "With your industry insights, do you think Lillian will sustain her fame?"

Olivia Kensington slammed her keyboard. "Shouldn't you be more concerned about your mother's health? The hospital called this morning."

The colleague flushed. She'd brushed off the doctor's call to indulge in celebrity gossip.

Yvette shot Olivia a sideways glance before continuing, "If you're betting on Lillian, you've chosen wisely. Nothing can stop her ascent."

"Why's that?"

"Her connections." Yvette arched a brow. "Far beyond your imagination. But I can't elaborate."

Yvette knew the Prescott family secrets. Genevieve Prescott, wife of Governor Jonathan Prescott, had been childhood friends with Beatrice Lockwood and Lorraine Lockwood.

Despite their wealth, the Prescotts remained childless until Genevieve adopted ten-year-old Lillian from an orphanage. Now twenty, the girl enjoyed privileges most starlets could only dream of.

The entertainment industry's power players knew exactly who backed Lillian. They treated her like royalty, ensuring her effortless rise to stardom.

Yvette burned with envy. Ten years as an orphan, then a decade of fame. Life's unfairness stung.

Across the office, Evelyn Sinclair worked furiously while "Lillian Prescott" echoed around her. After a chaotic morning and rushed lunch, she dashed out at three.

She visited multiple print shops before choosing the most affordable option for business cards, arranging delivery to the office.

At Reginald Sinclair's countryside villa, tranquility reigned. The caretaker greeted Evelyn warmly when she arrived.

Her grandfather's injuries had nearly healed in this peaceful environment. Evelyn felt justified in accepting Dominic's help - her pride mattered less than her grandfather's wellbeing.

As they strolled the gardens, Reginald said, "Dominic cares deeply for you. That's why he's helping me. Remember that."

"He's generous," Evelyn deflected.

Reginald thumped his cane. "Generous? He's doing this to ease your burden! Do you think he'd take in every poor old man? There's a reason he chose me."

Evelyn smiled at her grandfather's lecture.

"Don't sabotage this relationship with insecurities," Reginald continued. "If he values you, you must have qualities he admires. Compatibility matters more than matching social status - many 'perfect' matches end miserably."