Chapter 215

Madam Victoria staggered back, her face pale with shock. "This—This was supposed to be Evelyn! How did—"

'Didn't we drug that little witch?'

Evelyn strolled in, her eyes widening in feigned surprise as she covered her mouth. "Oh my! What on earth happened here?"

"Evelyn, you vile creature! This is your doing, isn't it?" Yvette lunged forward, her hand raised to strike, but Evelyn dodged effortlessly.

Evelyn darted behind Mrs. Zimmerman, her voice trembling with false innocence. "How can you blame me? Lydia was the one who confessed her admiration for Mr. Zimmerman while leading me here. She even knocked me out! When I woke up, I was in a different room entirely."

"Lies!" Yvette shrieked.

Just then, the unconscious woman on the couch stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Her body ached as she took in the crowd gathered around her. Then she looked down—and froze.

She was naked.

A scream tore from Lydia’s throat as she scrambled to cover herself. "Why—Why am I here?!"

Her wild gaze landed on Evelyn—and then on Jacob Zimmerman, who sat beside her, equally exposed.

Memories flooded back.

"Evelyn, you scheming b*tch!" Lydia howled. "You set me up!"

Evelyn blinked, her expression the picture of wounded confusion. "Me? If anyone was scheming, it was you and Aunt Yvette. I felt sick after drinking what you gave me. You were the one who dragged me here, whispering about your undying love for Mr. Zimmerman."

"That’s a lie! I never—"

"Then explain why you’re the one in his bed," Evelyn countered coolly. "If you hadn’t confessed your feelings, I would’ve been the one in your place. But how could I stand in the way of true love? Especially when I was unconscious?"

Lydia’s mind raced.

'After I left Evelyn in the room, something hit me—then darkness.'

She pointed a shaking finger. "You! You knocked me out!"

Evelyn’s lips quivered, tears welling in her eyes. "I was unconscious too. Grandmother and Aunt Yvette know exactly what was in that drink, don’t they?"

Madam Victoria and Yvette stiffened, their faces burning with humiliation.

They did know.

Because they had drugged it themselves.

Evelyn bit back a smirk, savoring their panic.

She turned to Mrs. Zimmerman, her voice soft with resignation. "It seems I can no longer be considered a suitable match for your family. I understand—I’m a mother now, after all. The Zimmermans deserve purity. But Lydia…"

Her gaze flicked to her cousin. "She’s untouched, well-mannered, and utterly devoted to your son. Wouldn’t she make a far better bride?"

Madam Victoria and Yvette looked ready to combust.

Their plan had backfired spectacularly.

Instead of trapping Evelyn, they’d handed Lydia to Jacob on a silver platter.

Jacob recoiled in disgust. "Mother, I refuse to marry her! I don’t care how long she’s admired me—she’s beneath me! Look at her!"

"Enough!" Mrs. Zimmerman snapped. "You’ve ruined her virtue. The Zimmermans do not shirk responsibility. You will marry her."

Evelyn’s gamble had paid off.

'The Zimmermans prize reputation above all. Why settle for a woman with a child when they can have an untouched maiden?'

She hid her smile behind a demure bow.

The trap had closed—just not on her.