Chapter 123

"You know Isabella Langley better than anyone," Evelyn Roland sneered, her nails digging into her palms. "Every time you humiliate me, you compare me to her. If money means so much to you, why not go straight to Vincent Langley? He's the one holding the secrets. His ties to the Durand family run deeper than mine."

Margaret Valentine's eyes gleamed with greed. She and Vincent had been scheming together for years, their thirst for power equally insatiable.

Zachary Deross's investigation had uncovered their close alliance.

"Evelyn, just tell me the secret, and I'll let you back into the Valentine family," Margaret whispered. "Or you could marry my other son."

Evelyn suddenly laughed, her eyes icy. "You'd sell out your own son for money?"

"The Valentines are at the height of their power. Marrying into this family would be a privilege."

"Save that privilege for someone else." Evelyn turned away. "The secret is with Vincent. You two have always been... close."

Margaret's face twisted. "What did you say?"

Evelyn didn't look back as she walked out. She needed release, needed gunfire to drown the pain in her heart.

At the shooting range, staff members stared in surprise at the long-absent guest.

"Miss Roland, it's been two years."

Evelyn took the pistol, her eyes glistening behind the protective goggles. She remembered the first time she'd held a gun—Alexander Durand guiding her hands.

Bang.

The bullet struck dead center.

Shot after shot echoed through the range, each one unnervingly precise.

Adrian Valentine watched from the shadows, his pupils contracting. He'd never seen this version of Evelyn—sharp, decisive, unfamiliar.

When had she learned to shoot like this?

The Evelyn who'd left him was reborn.