Chapter 32

The moment those words reached Evelyn's ears, she knew it was over.

Humiliation and misunderstandings had never bothered her before. But this—this mattered too much.

"Designs? Evie, since when were you a designer?" Victoria's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Don't tell me you're copying from the internet again, just like you did for your graduation project. How far you've fallen." She sighed, shaking her head in exaggerated disappointment.

Eleanor Kingsley's expression darkened instantly. Without a word, she shot Evelyn a look of pure disgust before storming off with her daughter.

The pain in Evelyn's chest was sharp, like a blade twisting. She wanted to run after them, to explain—but a hand yanked her back.

Once they were alone, Victoria's lips curled into a vicious smirk. "See, you pathetic nobody? Did you really think you could compete with me for Alexander's heart?" She leaned in, voice dripping with malice. "You'll regret crossing me, Evelyn. Deeply."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the rejected sketches. The sight of Victoria's smug face made her snap. Before she could stop herself, her palm connected with Victoria's cheek—hard.

"Who knows what'll happen to me?" Evelyn hissed. "But right now? You've got my handprint on your face."

"Evelyn!" Victoria shrieked, clutching her cheek. "You bitch!"

Evelyn smirked coldly. "I'll slap you whenever I please. It's not like it's the first time. Go cry to Alexander—he loves your little performances."

Victoria's fingers trembled against her reddened cheek. She lunged, but Evelyn sidestepped effortlessly before turning on her heel and walking away.

She knew Victoria would run straight to Alexander. But she didn’t expect his call to come so soon.

"Blackwood Estate. Now."

His voice was deceptively calm. But Evelyn recognized the storm beneath it.

She hadn’t stepped foot in Blackwood Estate in months. The moment she entered, Richard and Margaret Montgomery glared at her like she was vermin.

Alexander sat on the sofa, an aura of icy rage around him. Victoria clung to his side, sobbing dramatically.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Here I am, Mr. Blackwood," she said dryly. "Are you going to scold your wife for your mistress?"

Victoria's sobs halted abruptly. Alexander's gaze lifted, piercing through her.

"Evelyn," he said, voice dangerously low. "Did you forget my warning?"

"Alexander, it's fine," Victoria sniffled, placing a hand on his arm. "I don’t blame Evie. It's my fault for loving you when you're hers."

"Victoria, you foolish girl," Richard snapped, storming forward. "After everything she's done, you're still defending her? Look what she did to you!"

Evelyn finally noticed the exaggerated marks on Victoria's face. She'd only struck one cheek—yet both sides were swollen, with faint traces of blood at the corners of her lips.

Someone had enhanced the damage.

Evelyn scoffed. "If you know it's wrong, why keep clinging to my husband? Aren't you disgusted with yourself, Victoria?"

Victoria's face twitched, fury flashing in her eyes.

Evelyn almost smirked—until a brutal slap sent her stumbling.

Crack!

Richard's hand struck again before she could recover. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth. A kick to her legs forced her to her knees.

She barely caught herself before Richard's shoe crushed her right hand under his heel.

"Was this the hand you used to hit my daughter?" he snarled.