Chapter 99

Evelyn set down her fork with a slight frown. "Victoria, Isabella's sudden rise to fame feels suspicious."

Sophia took a sip of water, her eyes glinting coldly. "It's a PR stunt orchestrated by Adrian and Vincent. They're whitewashing Isabella's image with paid trending topics and hired trolls."

The higher they climb, the harder they fall.

Isabella's current glory would become her future nightmare.

That woman's ambitions were transparent—best actress awards, luxury endorsements, she wanted it all.

But Cassandra's retaliation would destroy her.

The Valentine heiress had always eliminated threats with surgical precision.

Unless Isabella could prove herself flawless.

Too bad Evelyn still possessed the damning video of her refusing to help someone in distress.

Blinded by the hype, the public would turn on her once the truth surfaced.

"Cassandra outmaneuvers Isabella by miles, but don't underestimate her." Evelyn tapped the table lightly. "Remember the stolen documents case? She covered her tracks through eighteen shell companies."

Even Adrian hadn't immediately traced it back to her.

Cross-border operations, layered proxies—Isabella was undeniably clever.

And the Natalie incident? Without that video evidence, she would've walked away unscathed.

Evelyn never underestimated opponents.

The most harmless-looking ones often dealt the deadliest blows.

That's why she'd sent Sophia abroad disguised as her—to uncover Isabella's secrets.

Sophia's mastery of disguise made investigations easier in Eastalia.

Vincent would never suspect an "uneducated country girl."

Too busy hunting for Alexander's map to pay attention.

This game was already decided.

Evelyn checked her phone—Valentine and Langley stocks were soaring.

She stayed hands-off, letting Adrian capitalize on the momentum.

Closing the finance app, she focused on her pregnancy.

Her belly grew daily. Despite difficulty walking now, she maintained her routine for a month straight.

Valentine Group secured several major contracts.

Business headlines overflowed with their triumphs—no surprise after the Horizon Tech partnership cemented their dominance.

Stocks skyrocketed at opening bell, Valentine's supremacy unchallenged.

Evelyn's mobility worsened lately, even short walks exhausted her.

Victoria shadowed her constantly.

Gabrielle strictly monitored her diet.

Evelyn ate small, frequent meals—nourishing yet figure-conscious.

Isabella wasn't faring as comfortably.

A month into filming, she still hadn't seen Adrian once.