Chapter 44

Patricia Kensington was completely out of control. She yanked Evelyn Sinclair back and forth, ruining her perfectly styled hair.

Sharp nails dug into Evelyn's neck, leaving angry red marks. The sting from earlier still burned across Evelyn's cheek.

Patricia gripped Evelyn's hair like a vice, screaming, "Women like you deserve to be branded! Is money all you care about? Would you sell your soul for cash? Go find yourself a sugar daddy if you want, but stay away from my son! How will you ever repay him for wasting five years of his life?"

Evelyn had endured enough. Wincing, she tore her hair free and shoved Patricia away with surprising force. "Stop it!"

The older woman stumbled back, her face flushed with rage. Trembling fingers pointed accusingly. "You shameless, scheming little tramp! How dare you act innocent!"

A crowd gathered around them, drawn by the commotion.

One middle-aged woman tried intervening, holding Patricia back. "Calm down, dear. You shouldn't believe neighborhood gossip about your daughter-in-law cheating."

Evelyn recognized her instantly - Tabitha, the same woman who'd spread those vile rumors with Daisy.

"This is none of your business!" Patricia snapped. "I know exactly what kind of woman she is."

Seeing Patricia's irrational anger, the woman backed off awkwardly.

Evelyn retreated to her apartment, done with the Kensington family drama.

The first thing she did was search for new apartments online.

Her phone rang. Olivia Kensington's name flashed on the screen.

"Evie, are you okay?" Olivia sounded frantic. "Did my mom confront you? Did you see her?"

"We met. It's handled." Evelyn kept her voice steady, not wanting to worry her friend.

"I'm so furious with my family right now!" Olivia's voice cracked. "I'm coming over."

Before Evelyn could protest, the line went dead.

She texted instead: "Don't upset yourself. This will blow over."

"You're too kind. My family doesn't deserve you." Olivia replied instantly, adding a tearful emoji.

Evelyn sighed. What choice did she have but to be understanding?

Nearly an hour later, Olivia arrived breathless at Evelyn's door.

Her eyes widened when she saw Evelyn's face. "Did my mother...hit you?"

Evelyn nodded silently.

"She's lost her mind!" Olivia exploded. "I swear my brother and mother have gone completely irrational. They'll believe some neighborhood busybody over their own family. They won't even listen to me!"

They moved to the bedroom where Olivia spotted the rental listings on Evelyn's laptop.

"You're moving out?"

Evelyn sighed. "It's the only way to find peace."

Olivia grabbed a drink from the fridge, studying the listings. "Get a two-bedroom. I'll move in with you - we can watch each other's backs."

Evelyn hesitated, not wanting to cause a rift between Olivia and her family.

"Don't worry," Olivia said, reading her thoughts. "I've wanted to move out since sophomore year. My parents fight constantly..."

Evelyn had never known what having two parents was like. Was it warm and loving? Or filled with shouting matches? She'd never know.

By afternoon, they'd chosen an apartment.

The next day, they signed the lease, paid the deposit, and moved in - all within twenty-four hours.

On moving day, Evelyn wanted to clean the place thoroughly.

Concerned about her friend's exhaustion, Olivia hired professional cleaners online.

"Freedom at last," Olivia sighed happily, collapsing onto the new sofa.

Evelyn felt lighter too, the weight of recent events finally lifting.

Her week off passed in a blur.

Returning to work brought an unpleasant surprise - Nathan Kensington at his desk in the design department.

He looked up, meeting Evelyn's gaze with open contempt.

That same accusing look from when he'd screamed "adulterous pig" outside her door.

At 9:20 AM sharp, Abigail Thornton circulated a meeting notice.

The design team assembled in the conference room where their no-nonsense department head - a woman who favored ambitious female employees - assigned an important project. Abigail, who liked Evelyn, ensured her inclusion.

As they filed out post-meeting, the department head pointed at Abigail and Evelyn. "Conference room, 62nd floor. Now!"

No time for questions. Abigail hustled Evelyn into the elevator.

Nathan, who'd wanted to confront Evelyn, had no choice but to return to his desk.

A staff member ushered them into the 62nd-floor conference room where they took inconspicuous seats.

The atmosphere was tense. Evelyn barely dared breathe as she scanned the room's powerful occupants - company executives and project partners.

At the front, a woman presented a land development proposal. To her right sat Dominic Blackwood, as composed and imposing as ever.

Evelyn quickly averted her gaze, cheeks burning with memories of their scandalous encounters.

The marathon meeting lasted two hours.

During the lunch break exodus, Evelyn froze - Dominic stood just outside, conversing with three high-ranking officials.

Sebastian Whitmore spotted them. "Miss Thornton, you handle your liquor well. You'll join the lunch meeting." His tone brooked no refusal. Then to Evelyn: "Miss Sinclair, come along. The bosses could use your design insights."

As an employee, Evelyn couldn't refuse.

Flustered, she felt an intense gaze. Turning, she locked eyes with Dominic - his expression unreadable, yet brimming with something dangerously intense.