Chapter 31

"Confess?" Evelyn Roland let out a cold laugh, her fingertips tracing the intricate embroidery on her sleeve. "That accusation comes too easily from you, Isabella."

Isabella Langley's eyes reddened, her trembling fingers clutching the champagne flute. "Sister, I know you're upset, but you can't play with people's lives."

Evelyn glanced at Natalie Lowell lying unconscious on the floor, then smirked. "Mrs. Sherwood, your relative has been lying here for ten minutes. Too stingy to call an ambulance?"

Mrs. Sherwood's face paled. Her diamond-studded clutch hit the floor with a sharp clatter.

"Could it be—" Daniel Sherwood lunged toward his wife, but froze when Evelyn's icy glare pinned him in place.

"Spare me the loving husband act." Evelyn kicked him away. "Where was this concern when you stood by and did nothing?"

The chandelier dimmed abruptly.

Theodore Lowell stormed in with twelve black-suited bodyguards. His custom leather shoes crunched over shattered glass as he crouched before Daniel. "Mr. Sherwood, I hear you enjoy gambling with lives?"

"Stop this!" Mrs. Sherwood shrieked, only to be wrestled onto the banquet table by guards.

Natalie coughed weakly in her father's arms. Evelyn tossed a celadon vial toward them. "Take this every first of the month. I'll examine her myself in six months."

As Theodore caught the vial, his fingers brushed against Evelyn's palm—leaving behind a gilded business card.

"Divorce papers!" His roar made Daniel wet his designer suit. "I want signed documents at Lowell Group's reception by sunset tomorrow!"

Leaning against a marble column, Evelyn felt her phone vibrate.

Nathan Aldridge materialized behind her, his gentle features twisting into a fox-like grin. "Miss Roland, Mr. Valentine is looking for you."

"Quiet." Evelyn studied the diamond-encrusted card under the light—revealing micro-engraved words on the reverse: 8 PM tomorrow. Emerald Manor, No.17.