Chapter 95

"Don't be afraid, Isabella. I'm in Adrian's office right now. He's busy, but I'll make sure he comes to help you."

Margaret Valentine's face darkened. Cassandra Valentine had grown increasingly brazen lately.

She wouldn't have dared lay a finger on Evelyn before.

Now she targeted Isabella at every turn—simply because she knew the girl was favored.

"Thank you, Aunt Margaret. Please let Adrian know." Isabella's voice trembled before she hung up.

Gritting her teeth against the pain in her legs, Margaret returned to the office. Seeing Adrian still engrossed in paperwork, her temper flared. "Adrian, is your phone on silent? Isabella called you a dozen times. She's in trouble."

"That bitch Cassandra hit her. Go now."

She always spoke to her son in this commanding tone.

A cold glint flashed in Adrian's eyes as he stood abruptly. "I'll leave immediately. But the Lindstrom deal might fall through. Mr. Lindstrom is already waiting in the conference room."

Margaret's expression changed instantly.

The Lindstroms were crucial business partners. This deal was vital for the company.

"Forget it. Stay and handle the negotiations. I'll check on her." Margaret hurriedly called for her driver.

Watching his mother leave, Adrian's lips curled into a mocking smile.

He sat back down, gaze drifting to the window.

Alexander Durand had died four years ago. So when he first met Evelyn, had that sorrow in her eyes been for him?

Evelyn Roland returned from her walk and went straight to the study to work.

A news alert about the "painting's secret" and the Durand family suddenly popped up on her screen.

Her pupils constricted.

Who was digging up the past?

The Durand case had been silent for four years.

First the painting resurfaced, and now its secret was exposed two months later. Who was pulling the strings?

A surviving Durand?

The perpetrator of that massacre still walked free.

Evelyn stared at the screen, unease coiling in her chest. Was this a trap set by someone who knew the truth?

She immediately dialed Zachary.

"Boss, calling about the Durand situation?" His voice remained smooth as jade.

Evelyn spoke urgently. "Any leads on the source?"

Clearly, Zachary had already begun investigating.

"I traced it immediately but hit a dead end. It's definitely not Vincent Langley—he wouldn't expose his own secrets."

"I discovered he went to Julian Roscente asking about the painting's whereabouts. Back then, apart from you, even the Durands didn't know the painting's secret."

"Someone's deliberately leaking this now, likely baiting Vincent."

Evelyn's chest tightened.

Who was behind this?

"Monitor this closely. Find out everything, but stay under the radar."

"Understood. I'll update you immediately."

Evelyn added, "Remember to eat on time."

A soft chuckle came through the line. "Thanks for the concern, Boss. I'll work on gaining weight—next time we meet, I'll be two kilos heavier just for you."

Shaking her head with a faint smile, Evelyn hung up.

She set the phone aside and returned to her emails.

Whoever was orchestrating this would surface soon enough.

After two hours of work, Evelyn stood to stretch.