Chapter 106

Alexander swore viciously.

"No wonder your real parents abandoned you. A monster like you doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as decent people!"

Evelyn's breath hitched.

Over the years, she'd endured countless insults from strangers and ignorant bystanders until she'd grown numb to them.

But each venomous word from Alexander now felt like a thousand razor blades slicing through her flesh. The excruciating pain left her gasping for air.

"Father, please stop. This is my fault. I never should have fallen for Jeremy—" Victoria interjected with feigned remorse.

Alexander's protective instincts flared at his precious daughter's words. "How could this possibly be your fault? The blame lies entirely with this wretched woman!" He glared at Evelyn with undisguised loathing. "If she hadn't stolen Jeremy away, you'd be living happily as a family of three by now."

"Father..."

"Let's go see your mother."

Alexander enveloped Victoria in a paternal embrace, shielding her with his affection.

Before leaving, he turned back to deliver a chilling warning. "If I catch you harassing my daughter again, I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson—woman or not!"

His words struck Evelyn like a physical blow.

Over Alexander's shoulder, Victoria flashed a triumphant smirk.

She'd won again.

The master manipulator had once more concealed her true nature beneath that flawless mask of innocence.

Night had fallen when Evelyn finally stumbled back to her apartment in a daze.

She was mechanically preparing dinner when the doorbell rang.

Turning toward the sound, she opened the door to find Sebastian standing unexpectedly in her doorway.

Snowflakes dusted the shoulders of his charcoal overcoat, his aristocratic features softened by the dim hallway light.

"Mr. Whitman? What brings you here?" Evelyn blinked in surprise.

Sebastian's lips curved into a gentle smile. "When I heard you'd returned alone last night, I grew concerned. I wanted to check that everything was alright."

Evelyn's chest warmed at his kindness. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Whitman. I'm perfectly fine. Please come in—it's freezing out there."

She ushered him inside, immediately adjusting the thermostat before pouring him a steaming cup of tea.

"You live here?" Sebastian glanced around the modest space.

Evelyn nodded. "It suits my needs."

"What I meant was—as Jeremy's wife, shouldn't you be living together?"

Evelyn's hands trembled at the question, scalding tea splashing onto her skin. She barely flinched at the burn.

"Evelyn, are you hurt?"

"It's nothing serious." She dabbed at the spill with a napkin.

Compared to the agony Jeremy had inflicted, physical pain meant nothing.

Noticing her discomfort, Sebastian tactfully changed subjects. His gaze lingered on the fresh bandage covering part of her face. "Did your facial injury reopen?"

The concern in his voice made Evelyn's throat tighten. She turned away to hide the moisture gathering in her eyes.