Chapter 503

Evelyn Sinclair and Preston Sinclair walked away under the admiring gazes of the crowd.

Her casual response had been perfectly suited to her status and impeccable style.

The female interviewer looked back at her camera with envy in her eyes.

"Did you all hear that, my lovelies? This is how a true queen handles her exes! May we all have such courage!"

The video clip ended abruptly.

When Evelyn received an urgent call from her office, Preston escorted her to the entrance.

"Until next time," he murmured.

She nodded, then hesitated. "Mr. Sinclair... What Tristan Whitmore said earlier wasn't entirely false."

This was her chance to set the record straight and discourage his advances.

Preston chuckled darkly. "Only fools judge someone by their past. I'm disappointed you'd think so little of me."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow just as her phone rang again. After a quick glance, she bid him farewell and strode inside.

"What is it?"

Bennett's voice came through clearly. "President Sinclair, Penelope Ashford from Ashford Group is here with Victoria Ashford."

Evelyn had deliberately taken one of Ashford Group's key projects to teach them a lesson. Given her close ties with Wellington Group - Ashford's biggest competitor - their swift reaction came as no surprise.

Though she'd expected retaliation, she hadn't anticipated it would come this soon.

In the executive lounge, Victoria and Penelope Ashford had been waiting nearly two hours.

Victoria sat stiffly, unable to hide her nervousness. Her fingers twisted in her lap.

Penelope, accustomed to high society's cutthroat games, glared daggers at her half-sister while maintaining perfect posture.

"You're nothing but trouble!" Penelope hissed, digging her nails into Victoria's arm. "First you can't even seduce properly, then you provoke the wrong people! Because of you, we lost millions! Now I have to clean up your mess. Fail today, and you're out of the family!"

Victoria's existence had always been an inconvenience.

Her mother had been Reginald Ashford's secretary - a mistress who'd tried using her pregnancy to replace Penelope's mother, the legitimate wife from an influential family.

But Reginald, ever the shrewd businessman, chose power over passion. After the scandal, Victoria's mother was dismissed and sent away.

When she bore a daughter instead of the desired son, Reginald lost all interest.

Victoria didn't dare fight back. Tears welled in her eyes as she endured Penelope's abuse in silence.

All because Evelyn Sinclair had taken that project.

Evelyn paused at the doorway, catching every word. Bennett gave her a meaningful look - this had been going on the entire wait.

He opened the door for her.

"Ms. Ashford," Bennett announced smoothly, "apologies for the delay."

Both women startled.

Penelope's expression transformed instantly into a saccharine smile as she rose to greet Evelyn. "Ms. Sinclair! Such an honor. You're even more stunning in person."

Evelyn offered a polite but distant smile. "To what do I owe this visit?"

She had no patience for their games.

Penelope's smile faltered momentarily before she forced a laugh. She yanked Victoria forward. "Father was furious when he learned how Victoria inconvenienced you at Sterling Enterprises. The stress hospitalized him. He insisted we come apologize personally."

Victoria trembled, tears threatening to fall. Her entire demeanor screamed victim. "I'm so sorry, Ms. Sinclair. This is all my fault."

As if the world owed her sympathy for her self-inflicted wounds.