Chapter 122

The pale moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows across the balcony.

Evelyn Carter twisted restlessly beneath her silk sheets before finally succumbing to exhaustion. But peace remained elusive.

Tiny droplets of sweat formed on her forehead as her breathing became erratic. In the suffocating darkness, she found herself wandering through an unfamiliar void. An icy wind clawed at her exposed skin, raising goosebumps along her arms.

From the abyss, disembodied voices whispered like ghosts in an ancient tomb.

"Evelyn, help us! It's so cold... Run, Evelyn! Don't turn back!" The desperate pleas tore at her heart with each syllable.

She ran blindly through the endless night, her senses overwhelmed by primal terror as something monstrous pursued her.

The sinister chant echoed through the void: "Kill her... Kill her, and the fortune is yours... Kill her!"

A shadowy figure materialized before her, its glowing eyes piercing the darkness. Bloodstained hands reached for her throat, squeezing the life from her-

Evelyn jolted awake with a gasp, her fingers flying to her neck. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, banishing the nightmare's remnants.

She scoffed at the absurdity. Imagining her parents begging for help? In reality, they only ever contacted her for money.

Shivering from cold sweat, she threw off the covers. After grabbing fresh clothes, she headed for the shower.

Thirty minutes later, dressed in casual attire, she descended the grand staircase. The murmur of voices from the living room made her pause.

"You mustn't take such risks again, Victoria. How would I face your grandparents if something happened?" Eleanor Blackwood's worried voice carried clearly.

Victoria Dawson offered a reassuring smile. "Don't fret, Mrs. Blackwood. I've learned my lesson. Besides, Liam has been wonderfully attentive these past days. His company has been most comforting."

Eleanor sighed. "This is all Margaret's doing. She never should have forced those two together when there's no love between them. None of this would be happening otherwise."

Victoria lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I don't believe Grandmother intended this. Someone's been manipulating her."

Eleanor offered an awkward smile, unwilling to speak ill of Evelyn in her own home.

Spotting Evelyn on the stairs, Victoria raised her voice deliberately. "Liam told me he's only staying married out of concern for Grandmother's health. Once she passes, he'll divorce Evelyn and make me his wife."

"We all know the truth, yet you keep endangering yourself," Eleanor sighed.

"Not anymore," Victoria chirped.

Eleanor patted Victoria's hand. "We must be patient. Though prolonging this situation isn't fair to Evelyn."

Victoria's brow furrowed. "Liam will make proper arrangements for her."

"I should hope so," Eleanor murmured.

Unnoticed by Eleanor, Victoria's eyes flashed with irritation at her unexpected defense of Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Evelyn's hands clenched into fists. The confirmation that Liam Blackwood planned to divorce her after Margaret's death struck like a physical blow.

Suppressing her anguish, she continued downstairs. Victoria sprang up with theatrical surprise. "Good morning, Evelyn!"

Eleanor's head snapped toward the staircase, but Evelyn ignored them both, making straight for the front door.

As her fingers touched the handle, her phone rang. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

Behind her, Victoria watched Evelyn's retreating form with triumphant glee shining in her eyes.