Chapter 111

Adrian Valentine's lips curled into a provocative smirk as his piercing gaze locked onto Sebastian Cortez. "Mr. Cortez seems particularly interested in Evelyn. Pity she used to be mine."

Sebastian's jade-like eyes frosted over instantly. He strode to the seat Evelyn had occupied moments ago, his stare lingering on the bloodstains on Adrian's lips. The glacial chill in his gaze deepened.

As men, they both knew exactly what Adrian had done to Evelyn.

"If you know it's in the past," Sebastian said with measured calm, "you should understand divorced men don't belong in her life. She's better off without you."

He adjusted his cufflinks. "And let's not forget your official girlfriend is Isabella Langley. Unless you want her exposed as the other woman, stay away from Evelyn."

Adrian's knuckles whitened. His heart twisted as if being shredded by a blade.

She told Sebastian about that too?

"How generous of you to take in castoffs," Adrian sneered.

Sebastian rose gracefully, surveying the arrogant man before him with undisguised contempt. This was the man Evelyn had loved to the point of self-destruction.

The man who'd made her waste four years of her youth. The man whose actions had driven her to despair after Alexander's death. He'd sent her abroad to recover, only for her to fall into Adrian's trap.

"Adrian," Sebastian said with icy finality, "Evelyn deserves better. You're unworthy of her."

He turned on his heel and left, his posture as unyielding as an ancient pine.

Adrian remained rooted, his darkening gaze fixed on the empty chair. Rage simmered in his eyes.

So Sebastian had already recognized her worth.

Remembering Evelyn's resolute expression and cutting words, a low chuckle escaped his throat...

Evelyn stepped out of the private room, noticing Scarlett Orlando hadn't returned. She decided to get some air in the courtyard.

She knew this place well—the secluded garden behind the main building.

The moment she exited, a vision in pink blocked her path. Isabella Langley's strapless gown accentuated her porcelain skin and delicate collarbones. Now an A-list actress, she carried herself with the effortless grace of stardom.

"Who gave you permission to come back?" Isabella's eyes glinted with malice. She'd seen Evelyn enter the private room with Sebastian, then Adrian following.

Detained by socialites, she'd only just escaped in time to witness Evelyn's red-rimmed eyes upon exiting.

"Since when does Vienna belong to you?" Evelyn's laugh was razor-sharp. "I come and go as I please. Your opinion means nothing."

Her mood already foul, this woman had chosen the worst possible moment to provoke her.

"What were you doing with Adrian in there?" Isabella hissed, abandoning all pretense of sisterhood in the empty corridor.

"That's your man. Ask him yourself." Evelyn's voice could freeze hell.

Isabella hated her composed demeanor most. "Tomorrow's headlines will feature you seducing my fiancé. Believe that."

For a year, she'd hunted Evelyn across continents, yet found no trace—not even in Eastalia's immigration records.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Threatening me?"