Chapter 170

Vanessa's face twisted into something ugly, but pride kept her from backing down.

"Evelyn, must you spread lies in front of everyone? Where's your evidence?" Her voice dripped with venom. "Do you think mere words can rewrite reality?"

Though guilt gnawed at her, Vanessa clung to defiance, scanning the crowd for allies.

Then she saw him—Nathan. Her lifeline.

Desperation flashed in her eyes as she rushed to his side.

"Nathan! Your ex-wife is framing me." Her voice cracked. "She's so bitter about us that she's sabotaging my career for revenge—right here, in public!"

She yanked Nathan toward Evelyn, but Evelyn's expression remained ice-cold.

Oddly, despite standing mere feet apart, Nathan felt an ocean between them.

If Vanessa were exposed as a thief tonight, her design career would implode. Years of study, wasted. Her future, obliterated.

As her brother, truth be damned—Nathan couldn’t let that happen.

His first words were a blade: "Evelyn, must you always stir chaos?"

For a heartbeat, Evelyn thought she’d misheard. Then her lips curled into a humorless smile.

"Chaos?" Her laugh was brittle. "In your eyes, is justice just 'chaos'? Or is theft now trivial?"

Nathan’s jaw tightened.

"Vanessa wouldn’t steal. This is a misunderstanding."

His defense was instant. Predictable. Blood always trumped truth.

"You’re overreacting. Do you honestly think—"

Evelyn cut him off. "Nathan, must I tolerate everything she does? Am I supposed to be a saint?"

His voice softened, placating. "Let’s drop this."

The absurdity struck Evelyn like a slap.

"Drop it?" Her laugh was sharp. "Should I ignore theft because she’s your sister? How noble."

Nathan’s face darkened. "I misjudged you."

Evelyn shrugged. "Better late than never. Especially since we’re divorced."

Her indifference infuriated him, but she gave him no quarter.

"How amusing," she continued, voice glacial. "Mr. Sterling, defending plagiarism for family loyalty. But deception has consequences."

The crowd murmured agreement. The event organizer paled, humiliation creeping up his neck.

"Ms. Carter is right," he admitted heavily. "Plagiarism is a stain on our industry. We must condemn it—publicly."

His gaze met Evelyn’s. "If you have proof, present it. Let facts decide."

The air crackled with tension. This ended tonight.