Chapter 2

Evelyn's lips twisted into a bitter smile. So this was how he truly saw her—utterly worthless.

Outside the civil affairs office, Evelyn Roland and Adrian Valentine each clutched their divorce certificates. The sunlight stung their eyes.

Isabella Langley snatched the document from Adrian's hand, barely containing her glee. At last, she could stand by his side without pretense.

Her feigned concern shifted to Evelyn, only to find the woman more radiant than ever. That cold, untouchable beauty made Isabella's stomach churn.

She'd always hated that face. Now, she'd never have to see it again.

"Sister, the Langleys have disowned you. And with no assets from the divorce... surely you're not planning to sleep on the streets?"

That country bumpkin had been lucky to marry into their world. Now even that luck had run out.

Evelyn almost laughed. Isabella's fake sympathy had grown tiresome.

At eighteen, the Langleys discovered she wasn't their blood and abandoned her in the countryside. Meeting Adrian had been her only light—until two years ago.

When the Langleys found their real daughter, they'd shipped Isabella abroad to "refine" her for the Valentines.

Evelyn only learned the truth upon Isabella's return. The family severed ties without hesitation.

No love lost. She'd only come back to search for her birth parents.

Then she'd overheard Adrian's friends talking. How he'd fallen for Isabella's "innocent charm" during a business trip.

The torrent of explicit photos Isabella sent afterward had been particularly creative.

Few mistresses flaunted their affairs so brazenly.

"Save your concern." Evelyn's icy glance swept over them before she hailed a cab without looking back.

Not a single glance for Adrian.

His knuckles whitened around the divorce papers. She was really leaving?

But why was she walking so stiffly?

The taxi rounded the corner. Adrian remained rooted in place.

"Adrian! We're finally together!" Isabella bounced with excitement.

A cold glint flickered in his eyes, though his voice stayed gentle. "Let me take you home."

"Father will be thrilled!" She could already envision her triumph.

Adrian's smile deepened. "We should share the good news immediately."

Isabella nearly sang with joy. That nuisance was gone for good.

As Adrian's car pulled up to the Langley estate, a call from Horizon Tech's CEO made him gesture for Isabella to go ahead.

"Speak." His tone turned arctic.

Amused laughter crackled through the line. "Your sales director plays rough, Valentine. Pulled a knife to force my signature. I shot her—she dug the bullet out with her bare hands. Never met anyone like Evelyn Roland. She alive?"

Adrian's pupils constricted. "What did you say?"