Chapter 303

Evelyn gave Gabrielle a wry smile. "Gabby, do you really think I'd bother verifying gossip?"

Gabrielle froze.

Right. Her sister never concerned herself with trivial matters.

Unless it involved someone she cared about.

Evelyn dismissed the issue entirely.

The Valentine family drama meant nothing to her. More pressing matters demanded her attention.

Vincent Langley's web needed closing.

Her phone vibrated. Zachary was calling.

"Boss, we've scheduled Mr. Harrison for eight tonight."

Evelyn scoffed. "Eight? That's practically my bedtime."

Zachary fell silent.

Their boss kept hours like a retired bureaucrat. While the rest of them burned midnight oil, she maintained an unshakable early schedule.

"So..."

"Thirty minutes. Make it quick."

Zachary exhaled in relief.

Securing Harrison's cooperation had been difficult. If Evelyn canceled, they'd have no way to explain.

After instructing Gabrielle to watch the children, Evelyn retrieved a prized tin of Da Hong Pao tea from her collection.

One hour later, a luxury car pulled up to an exclusive club.

Zachary waited in the vehicle while Nathan had arrived earlier.

This was Adrian Valentine's territory.

Evelyn wasn't worried about encountering him—she simply found the association distasteful.

"Sis." Nathan hurried out to meet her.

Evelyn nodded. "Where's Harrison?"

Nathan hesitated. "He hasn't arrived yet—"

A water bottle came flying through the air.

Nathan shielded Evelyn as it grazed his shoulder.

Evelyn looked up into Margaret Valentine's venomous glare.

"Evelyn! You cursed wretch!" Margaret shrieked. "You ruined Adrian and Isabella's engagement!"

"Fatherless gutter trash! Why didn't you die abroad? The Valentines knew no peace since your return!"

Every word dripped poison.

For the first time, Evelyn truly felt the depth of the woman's hatred.