Chapter 214

Evelyn remained impassive. "Mr. Sterling, you're looking for the wrong person. Isabella is still behind bars. Perhaps you should pay her a visit instead."

At the mention of that name, Nathan's face darkened. "Don't speak of her."

A cold smile touched Evelyn's lips. "What's the matter, Mr. Sterling? Did your precious first love turn into your worst nightmare?"

Nathan clenched his jaw, struggling to contain his frustration. "Evelyn, you don't understand the full story between us. If you'd just listen—"

"That's enough," Evelyn cut him off sharply. "Today is important to me. Dwelling on the past will only bring misfortune."

She couldn't care less about whatever history existed between Nathan and Isabella. Their messy relationship held no interest for her.

"I must go now. Feel free to enjoy the event." Without another glance, Evelyn turned and walked away.

But when she returned backstage, chaos greeted her.

"Evie! Thank God you're here!" Olivia rushed forward, gripping her arm tightly.

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "What's happened?"

"The collection—it's destroyed."

Her heart dropped. Evelyn pushed through the crowd to see her carefully crafted designs lying in tatters on the worktable.

She picked up a shredded sleeve with trembling fingers. "How?" The word came out strangled.

"Ms. Carter, we only stepped away for five minutes..."

"When we returned, it was like this."

"No one saw who did it."

"The show starts in thirty minutes!"

"These were all the key pieces. It's over."

The models murmured among themselves, their expressions ranging from shock to resignation.

Olivia's face flushed with rage. "Which coward did this? When I find them, I'll—"

A staff member burst in. "Ms. Carter! They're ready for final checks on stage."

Evelyn forced herself to breathe. "How much time do we actually have?"

Olivia checked her watch. "Twenty-six minutes until curtain, but our segment isn't until forty minutes into the program."

Evelyn examined the damage with new determination. "Get me scissors. And every needle and thread you can find."

The team scrambled to obey.

Olivia frowned. "Evie, what are you thinking?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "Let's see if we can turn this disaster into something salvageable."

She set to work immediately, draping the ruined fabric over a dress form. The scissors flashed as she began reshaping the material.

Meanwhile, in the auditorium, every seat was filled. Camera crews from major fashion networks adjusted their equipment. This show had drawn international attention.

Though uninvited, Julian Hawthorne sat in an obscure corner. His assistant Donovan Pierce leaned in discreetly.

"Everything went according to plan, Director Hawthorne. Clean and untraceable."

Julian's lips curved. "Excellent. I can't wait to see how the brilliant Evelyn Carter handles this little... setback."

His eyes gleamed with anticipation. Soon, he'd watch her empire crumble—and she'd have no choice but to come crawling to him.