Chapter 76

Evelyn glanced at her coldly. "I haven't even stepped foot into the Valentine estate. You could beg on your knees, and I still wouldn't grace you with my presence."

"Isn't it funny how you've latched onto Sebastian Cortez? No wonder you're so full of yourself. That face of yours was made to seduce men—"

Evelyn cut her off sharply.

"Margaret, don't project your own filth onto others. I don't exist to please you."

"Who I choose to be with is none of your concern. You think you're superior, but to me, you're nothing but a joke."

Margaret Valentine was ruthless, treating both her sons as pawns.

But she favored Gregory.

Adrian was merely a tool—forced to fund the family, never shown an ounce of maternal love.

When the family matriarch fell ill, Margaret was the mastermind behind it.

Yet all the shares went to Gregory.

She schemed relentlessly to control both sons, ensuring Adrian never gained the upper hand.

But in the end, her machinations failed.

"You—" Margaret's face darkened with fury.

Vincent Langley wasn't ready to sever ties yet. Evelyn might still hold the key to the map's location.

"Enough. Let's consider this a misunderstanding and move on."

Isabella Langley clenched her teeth, swallowing her rage. The online scandal had to be dealt with first.

Margaret seethed with jealousy. The once-submissive Evelyn had now climbed into Sebastian Cortez's orbit.

But she knew Vincent's plans. For now, she had to retreat.

Vincent forced a paternal smile. "Evelyn, come home for dinner tomorrow night. There's something we need to discuss."

The matter with Alexander Durand had dragged on long enough. It was time to settle it.

A flicker of cold calculation passed through Evelyn's eyes. Finally.

"Alright," she murmured, lowering her head in feigned obedience.

As the group walked away, a faint smirk curled her lips.

Her phone buzzed. Scarlett Orlando and Nathan Aldridge were already downstairs. She headed to the lobby to wait.

The biting wind made her pull her coat tighter. Memories of Adrian surfaced, leaving a bitter ache in her chest.

After so many ups and downs, she barely recognized the person she used to be.

Now, seeing through people's true natures, love and hate had both faded. She'd made her choices—no regrets, even if they came with pain.

"Evelyn!" Scarlett staggered toward her, a baseball cap askew, reeking of alcohol.

Evelyn steadied her. "You lost one role. Was this really necessary?"

Scarlett giggled drunkenly, staring at her best friend's face. Suddenly, nothing seemed so bad.

"That little snake means nothing. I'm just..." She suddenly hugged Evelyn. "I missed you so much."

Evelyn's heart softened. She had a feeling she knew why.