Chapter 287

Margaret Valentine stormed into the hospital room in her stilettos, immediately spotting Evelyn Roland by the window.

She rushed forward and raised her hand to strike. "Evelyn, you jinx! Every time you're around, something terrible happens to my son!"

Evelyn sidestepped the blow, her gaze icy.

"His injury has nothing to do with me," she said calmly. "Mrs. Valentine, your son and I are already divorced."

Margaret trembled with rage. "His engagement party is in two days, and now he's hospitalized! Don't pretend you had no part in this."

"Your imagination is impressive," Evelyn scoffed. "If I wanted to sabotage things, wouldn't I just crash the engagement party?"

Margaret was momentarily speechless.

"You fatherless bastard," she spat. "How dare you still cling to our family? Get lost!"

Evelyn's fingers twitched slightly.

"Mrs. Valentine," she enunciated each word, "this 'bastard' was once your son's lawfully wedded wife."

The door swung open.

Victor Ashcroft supported Adrian Valentine as he stood in the doorway. Pale but determined, Adrian's eyes locked onto Evelyn.

"Mother," he rasped, "my injury has nothing to do with Evelyn."

Margaret instantly changed her tone. "Adrian! You shouldn't be out of bed. The doctor said—"

"Enough." Adrian cut her off. "I asked Evelyn to come."

Margaret's eyes widened in shock. Evelyn also turned to Adrian in surprise.

"Evelyn," Adrian said with difficulty, "can we talk alone?"

Margaret shrieked, "Absolutely not! Adrian, have you lost your mind? Isabella is waiting for you at home—"

"Mother!" Adrian raised his voice uncharacteristically. "Please leave."

Stunned by her son's rare firmness, Margaret shot Evelyn a venomous glare before stomping out and slamming the door.

An uneasy silence fell.

Victor discreetly exited to the hallway.

Evelyn remained still. "What do you want, Mr. Valentine?"

Adrian, his chest bandaged, slowly approached her.

"That day in the parking lot..." His voice was low. "Thank you."

Evelyn turned her face away. "Don't mention it. I'd have done the same for anyone."

Adrian's expression darkened.

"Congratulations on your engagement," Evelyn suddenly said with a smile.

Adrian grabbed her wrist. "Evelyn!"

"Let go." Her voice was frigid.

"What if..." Adrian swallowed hard. "What if I don't want to go through with it?"

Evelyn yanked her arm free.

"Adrian," her eyes were glacial, "don't make me lose respect for you."

Margaret's shrill voice pierced through the door. "Isabella! What are you doing here?"

Isabella Langley's delicate voice answered, "Aunt Margaret, I heard about Adrian's injury..."

Evelyn's lips curled in derision.

"Your fiancée is here." She stepped back. "Get well soon, Mr. Valentine."

Adrian tried to follow but winced in pain.

Evelyn walked out without looking back, nearly colliding with Isabella's tearful face.

"Evelyn..." Isabella began timidly.

Evelyn brushed past her without acknowledgment, heading straight for the elevators.

Margaret's spiteful voice carried down the hallway. "See how ill-mannered she is? Don't take it to heart, Isabella..."

As the elevator doors closed, Evelyn's eyes finally reddened.

She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms.

The elevator dinged at the ground floor.

Evelyn took a deep breath and strode out with her head high.

Just outside the hospital entrance, a black Maybach pulled up beside her.

The window rolled down to reveal Sebastian Orlando's amused face.

"Did the Valentines give you trouble again?" He raised an eyebrow.

Evelyn got in. "Just drive."

Sebastian chuckled and accelerated.

The hospital shrank in the rearview mirror.

"Was it worth it?" he suddenly asked.

Evelyn watched the passing scenery. "It stopped being worth it long ago."