Chapter 53

Evelyn was still seething with frustration. She hadn’t found an outlet for her anger. To add fuel to the fire, Eleanor had been singing Victoria’s praises nonstop. It grated on her nerves like nails on a chalkboard.

Cassandra smirked knowingly. “I spotted her at a tiny studio downtown. Looked like she was there for an interview.”

Evelyn bolted upright in bed, all traces of sleep vanishing. “Tell me everything. And I need that address.”

Cassandra gave her a quick summary before turning to watch Evelyn follow Jonathan out of his office.

Jonathan clapped his hands together. “Everyone, we have a new addition to our team today. Let’s give Evelyn a warm welcome!”

Cassandra’s lips curled into a sly smile. Evelyn had stolen her spotlight, and now she was eyeing the man Cassandra had her sights on. There was no way she’d let this slide.

The next day, Evelyn officially started her job. She wanted to earn some extra cash before her classes began.

The receptionist approached her with a polite smile. “Evelyn, there’s a client asking for you.”

“Me?” Evelyn frowned. It was her first day. Why would a client specifically request her?

She walked to the waiting area and froze. Two women sat on the couch—Beatrice and Penelope. Her expression darkened. “What are you two doing here?”

Penelope gave her a condescending once-over. “We need an interior designer to renovate our home, obviously. Nathaniel is redecorating his marital home—getting rid of all the old, unwanted things.”

Beatrice nodded smugly. “Exactly. My son is marrying a refined young woman from a prestigious family. We can’t have the house looking shabby. This time, the wedding will be grand—no cutting corners like before.”

Evelyn inhaled sharply. “I’m not taking this job. Find someone else.”

It was clear they were here to mess with her. She refused to play their game.

Penelope crossed her legs, smirking. “Turning down clients who come to you? I thought you were desperate for high-profile projects. If you refuse, I’ll file a complaint. See how long you last here.”

She’d brought Beatrice along just to humiliate Evelyn.

Beatrice pulled out a check with a flourish. “Write any amount you want as compensation. You might be from a modest background, but your taste isn’t completely terrible.”

Evelyn didn’t take it. Beatrice raised an eyebrow. “Why let pride get in the way of money? Take the check. This one job could sustain you for months.”

Finally, Evelyn smiled and accepted the check. She scribbled a number and handed it back. “If you’re willing to pay this, I’ll take the job.”

Penelope snatched the check. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “A hundred million dollars? Are you out of your mind?”

Evelyn’s smile was icy. “My rates are transparent.”

“A hundred thousand is already generous for someone like you!” Beatrice shot up from her seat. “Let’s go, Penelope. She’s delusional.”

Penelope stood, smirking. “No matter how talented you are, Evelyn, you’ll always be beneath us. Some people are born with everything. You? You’ll always be scrambling for scraps.”

Evelyn’s voice was sharp. “I may not have your wealth, but at least I have basic decency.”

Beatrice’s face twisted in outrage. “How dare you speak to me like that?”

Penelope sneered. “What do you expect from an orphan? Her uncle’s barely clinging to life in the hospital. Who had time to teach her manners?”

Evelyn grabbed a glass of water from the table and flung it straight into Penelope’s face. “Shut your mouth!”