Chapter 50

Evelyn arched an eyebrow slightly, the icy glint in her eyes making Isabella's heart skip a beat.

That gaze was identical to her.

Isabella clenched her fists, nails digging deep into her palms.

Why did she inherit that woman's bloodline?

"Adrian, she's glaring at me..." Isabella shrank into Adrian's arms with a whimper.

But Adrian's attention remained fixed on Evelyn.

She had changed.

His earlier panic had blinded him to it.

"Ugh—" Sophia suddenly gagged.

Evelyn turned with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Something foul just assaulted my senses." Sophia rolled her eyes dramatically.

Evelyn burst into laughter, the weight in her chest lifting slightly.

"You—!" Isabella trembled with rage.

Adrian's expression darkened. "Apologize."

Evelyn's mocking smile curled as she took in Isabella's tearful face. "She insulted my sister first."

Her voice was light as snow, sharp as ice.

So this was what men preferred.

Adrian's eyes burned with anger.

Isabella's lowered gaze flashed with venom.

Margaret suddenly snapped, "Evelyn Roland! First you stole company shares, now you poisoned Grandmother? After she treated you like her own granddaughter!"

"What?" Sophia grabbed Evelyn's wrist. "You married into the Valentines?"

Her voice shook. "All these years, you were—"

Evelyn gave a humorless smile.

She'd been blind indeed.

The Valentines were vipers—every last one except Beatrice.

Adrian watched her self-deprecating expression, his throat moving.

He remembered every contour of that face beneath his fingertips.

"Ridiculous!" Margaret shrilled. "A country girl like you should be grateful we allowed you into this family! You didn't even finish college—"

"Bullshit!" Sophia exploded. "Who the hell do you Valentines think you are? My sister is ten times the person you'll ever be!"

She jabbed a finger at Margaret. "What makes you so goddamn special? Do you shit gold bricks?"