Chapter 58

Victoria pointed at Evelyn with a trembling finger, her carefully cultivated facade of gentleness shattering like glass. "How dare you show your face here?" she shrieked, voice dripping with venom.

Mrs. Harrington didn't even flinch at Victoria's outburst. The longtime housekeeper had seen the true nature of the Lancaster heiress years ago.

Evelyn had intended to leave, but the sight of Victoria's unraveling composure made her settle gracefully onto the sofa instead. "As the lady of Blackwood Estate, my presence here is hardly surprising," she countered, crossing her legs with deliberate slowness. "The real question is why an uninvited guest like yourself is trespassing in my home?"

"Your home?" Victoria's laugh was shrill enough to crack crystal. "Did prison rot your brain, Evelyn? I'm the rightful mistress here! You're nothing but Alexander's discarded pet!"

The vicious words hung in the air between them. Victoria's snarling expression bore no resemblance to the polished socialite she pretended to be.

Evelyn merely smiled. "If I'm a dog, then you're the flea on its back. Or have you forgotten whose bone marrow saved your pathetic life? My blood literally flows through your veins."

Victoria's face contorted as if struck. She whirled toward Mrs. Harrington. "Have you lost your mind letting this trash inside? Get her out before Alexander returns unless you want to be unemployed!"

Amused by the tantrum, Evelyn tilted her head. "Why don't you tell her who brought me home, Mrs. Harrington?"

Though exhausted from earlier tears, Evelyn wasn't foolish. Only one man would dare bring her back to Blackwood Estate.

Mrs. Harrington swallowed nervously. "Mr. Blackwood carried Mrs. Sinclair home himself. He instructed that she would be staying with us indefinitely."

Despite anticipating the answer, the confirmation still sent a jolt through Evelyn.

"Lies!" Victoria's scream could have shattered windows. "Alexander would never touch this whore!"

Evelyn watched with detached interest as Victoria's face purpled with rage. The sight was oddly satisfying.

"Darling Victoria," Evelyn purred, "does basic logic escape you? I'm Alexander's legal wife. Why wouldn't he carry his spouse? Your hysterics only prove what everyone knows - you'll always be the mistress, never the bride."

The barb struck true. Victoria trembled with barely contained fury. Being called "the other woman" was her greatest insecurity.

"Out! Now!" Victoria screeched at the housekeeper.

Evelyn rose gracefully. "Mrs. Harrington, I'd like dinner served in the dining room. Please set a place for one."

The relieved housekeeper practically fled the battlefield.

Alone with Evelyn, Victoria finally snapped. Her manicured hand flew toward Evelyn's face. "You bitch!"

Evelyn sidestepped effortlessly, leaving Victoria stumbling from her own momentum. The would-be attacker nearly toppled onto the coffee table.

"Careful, Victoria," Evelyn tutted. "Wouldn't want to explain those bruises to Alexander."

Gritting her teeth, Victoria hissed, "Don't get comfortable! Alexander only keeps you around for his grandfather's sake. My ring will be on his finger soon enough!"

Evelyn's laughter was light as champagne bubbles. "You said that exact same thing three years ago, darling."

Victoria's confidence visibly deflated.

"Karma comes for everyone, Victoria," Evelyn said, moving toward the door. "And when it comes for you? I'll be there to watch you burn for what you did to my daughter."

With that, Evelyn exited, leaving Victoria trembling in impotent rage.