Chapter 290

Evelyn spotted Rachel standing with Winifred amidst the bustling crowd.

Winifred's lips curled into a smirk when she noticed Evelyn alone in the sea of people. "I thought you had some clever tricks. Turns out it was just Mr. Goldmann pulling strings for you all along."

Rachel couldn't bring herself to meet Evelyn's gaze. Though she hadn't spread the rumors, Evelyn had still chosen to keep secrets even when directly questioned.

If Evelyn didn't consider her a friend, why should she care anymore?

Noticing Evelyn's attention on Rachel, Winifred draped an arm possessively around her shoulders. "How does it feel when even your own roommate doubts you? A woman who chases after men while already having children has no place here!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd at Winifred's revelation.

"She has kids?"

"But she looks so young! Out of wedlock?"

"Probably doesn't even know who the fathers are!"

The venomous whispers swirled around Evelyn, but her expression remained unreadable. After years as gossip fodder, such petty comments barely registered.

Winifred grew agitated when Evelyn failed to react. "Why are you staring at me? Everyone's talking about you! How can you just stand there?" As all eyes turned to Evelyn, she simply crossed her arms with chilling composure. "You started these rumors."

"So what if I did?" Winifred sneered, confidence oozing. "Can you honestly deny your involvement with Mr. Goldmann? Weren't you alone with him in that private room? Rachel told me how he summoned you to meet Chloe during your assessment. That explains those marks on your neck!"

The crowd's opinion visibly shifted, their expressions turning disdainful at Winifred's convincing details.

Winifred pressed her advantage. "Mr. Goldmann belongs to Rosalind. Who do you think you are, trying to steal him? That's why Rosalind said you were transferred here for seducing taken men."

A cold laugh escaped Evelyn's lips. "So Rosalind fed you these lies?"

Winifred faltered momentarily under Evelyn's piercing gaze but quickly recovered. "Everyone knows about Mr. Goldmann and Rosalind! Of course a shameless woman with illegitimate children wouldn't care about stealing someone else's man."

Evelyn suddenly burst into laughter, the sound sharp and unexpected.

Winifred's face darkened. "What's so funny?"

"Let's make a wager, Winifred." Evelyn tilted her chin up, arms still crossed. "If you can get Rosalind to admit her relationship with Mr. Goldmann to my face, I'll kneel before you. But if she denies it..." Her voice dropped dangerously. "You'll pay the price."

"W-why should I play your game?" Winifred stammered.

"Chickening out?" Evelyn took a deliberate step forward. "You started this, Winifred. I'm giving you one chance to prove your accusations. We've got an hour before my assessment - perfect timing for some public entertainment, don't you think?" Her gaze swept across the gathered crowd. "Aren't you all curious to see the truth?"