Chapter 176

The moment Alexander Montgomery finished his paperwork, he turned to Olivia with a thoughtful expression. "Darling, what if we brought Evelyn back to Nord City to live with us? No one would dare disrespect her under our protection."

Olivia let out a soft sigh, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "But Evelyn has spent her entire life in Bern City. Uprooting her now would require an honest conversation. Are you sure she’s truly accepted us as family?"

Alexander’s jaw tightened with resolve. "Regardless, Victoria has already chosen to marry Nathaniel and will remain in Bern City. The distance between them is vast enough that bringing Evelyn home wouldn’t disrupt anything."

His voice dropped lower, firm. "Besides, Victoria is marrying into the Whitmore dynasty. It’s not as if we’re abandoning her."

Olivia arched a delicate brow. "Terminate Victoria’s adoption? Do you honestly think she’d agree to that?"

Evelyn’s rise from an orphanage to her current status was nothing short of extraordinary—something most could never comprehend. And truthfully, Olivia had never warmed to Victoria.

Alexander’s expression darkened. "I won’t let Evelyn suffer another injustice. When the time comes, I’ll ensure Victoria receives a fair settlement—assets, not empty promises."

His tone softened slightly. "It’ll be an amicable separation. I’ve upheld our agreement with her. There’s no betrayal here."

The next morning, Evelyn returned to work at the studio, slipping back into routine.

Before long, two colleagues approached, each holding a small pastry box.

"Evelyn, we owe you an apology," the first murmured, guilt flickering in her eyes. "Cassandra misled us."

The second extended her offering. "Please accept these as a peace offering."

Evelyn recognized the influence Cassandra Blake had wielded over them. With a gracious nod, she accepted the gifts. Holding grudges served no purpose—professionalism mattered more.

Then Natalie rushed in, breathless. "Evelyn, you have a visitor. It’s that woman who confronted Cassandra last time."

A tense silence settled over the studio.

Evelyn hadn’t expected Genevieve Stewart to seek her out. Had Cassandra spread more lies?

As Evelyn stood, Genevieve strode forward—but this time, her usual arrogance was absent. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, her posture weary.

Keeping her voice steady, Evelyn asked, "What brings you here?"

Without warning, Genevieve dropped to her knees with a thud.

"Ms. Carter," she said hoarsely, "I was a fool. Cassandra played me, and I believed her lies about you. My words were unforgivable. I’m begging for your forgiveness."

Evelyn recoiled, stunned. "What are you—?"

Gasps rippled through the room. Genevieve Stewart, heiress to a fortune, kneeling in apology? Unthinkable.

Jonathan Reeves emerged from his office, frowning. "What’s happening?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I have no idea."

She was just as baffled as everyone else. This had to be tied to something she didn’t know yet.

Then her phone buzzed. A message from Sophia:

"Reginald Stewart’s company just got acquired. His family’s facing bankruptcy. Karma’s finally biting back."

Evelyn’s breath caught. Reginald’s empire had fallen?

But why would that make Genevieve apologize to her?