Chapter 420

The phone vibrated in Evelyn's hand, Sebastian's name flashing on the screen. She took a steadying breath before answering. His voice, smooth as velvet, wrapped around her. "Are you alright? Did you see the footage?"

A bitter smile curved her lips. "Just finished watching. Thank you for checking on me. I'm fine."

"They clearly adore you," Sebastian murmured, defending Eleanor and William's actions. "They were just... misled before."

"Adore?"

The word tasted foreign on her tongue. A hollow laugh escaped her. "Sebastian, I'm coming to you. We need to discuss the plan."

The call ended, and Evelyn wasted no time. Within minutes, she was speeding toward the secluded villa Sebastian now called home.

When she arrived, he greeted her with a steaming cup of Earl Grey, his gaze tender yet shadowed. "I want this over with," he admitted, fingers tightening around his own cup. "The thought of you sharing his bed every night—it unsettles me."

Evelyn sipped the tea, warmth spreading through her chest. "Don't worry. Alexander may have married me, may even feel something for me, but this face?" She touched her cheek lightly. "It's the one he despises most. He won't touch me."

Sebastian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "He probably knows now—how you were framed, how you suffered. Guilt consumes him, but it's too late to atone for the dead. So he clings to you instead." His gaze drifted to the withered roses in the garden, voice dropping. "It's human nature. He apologizes not for you, but for himself."

"His guilt means nothing to me," Evelyn said coolly. "All I want is my child back and access to his files. Once we crack his system, we get what we need."

"Perhaps we're taking too long," Sebastian mused, a cryptic glint in his eyes. "I've nearly secured the board. Alexander holds seventy percent of Blackwood Enterprises. Those shares in our hands? The company falls."

Evelyn's mind raced. "I know what to do."

Sebastian studied her, his expression softening. "Vivian... will you regret this?"

She shook her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. "My only regret is loving him too deeply—and realizing it too late."

Her phone buzzed again. Eleanor's name appeared.

Though Eleanor didn't know her true identity, Evelyn did. And she couldn't bring herself to ignore the call.

She answered. Eleanor's voice trembled with emotion. "Miss Vivian, are you free? William and I... we have a favor to ask."

"I have time," Evelyn agreed, rising.

As she left, Sebastian lifted the cup she'd drunk from, his smile twisting into something pained.

"You'll hate me one day," he whispered to the empty room. "But you'll never know... I was never the gentleman you believed me to be."

Thirty minutes later, Evelyn arrived at the café Eleanor had specified. The older couple rushed forward the moment she stepped out of the car.

"Miss Vivian, thank you for coming," Eleanor gushed, clasping her hands.

William nodded eagerly. "We're so grateful."

Evelyn offered a polite smile. "What is it you need?"