Chapter 33
"I admire your choice," Natalie responded without hesitation.
"Reach out anytime. I've got your back."
"Appreciate it." Evelyn had barely ended the call when Olivia nudged her shoulder.
"What's the plan? That witch makes my blood boil!"
"Nathan's escorting me to the Sterling Enterprises gala tomorrow. Every elite in the city will be there. That's where—"
Olivia pumped her fist. "Go get 'em, queen! Wipe that smirk off her face!"
The following evening, the grand ballroom glittered with sequined gowns and diamond cufflinks under crystal chandeliers. The air buzzed with champagne laughter and whispered intrigues.
Evelyn made her entrance in a custom-made, sapphire-encrusted mermaid gown that hugged her curves like liquid moonlight. The plunging backline revealed delicate shoulder blades that moved like wings when she walked.
All conversation ceased as heads turned. Her smoky eye makeup accentuated piercing emerald eyes that held glacial detachment. The blood-red lipstick matched her stiletto nails that tapped rhythmically against her champagne flute.
Society girls who devoured gossip columns immediately clustered together when they recognized Evelyn.
When Vanessa appeared clutching a martini glass, they swarmed her with barely concealed schadenfreude.
"Vanessa darling, is it true? That stunning woman by the orchestra is actually your former sister-in-law?"
"Goodness, the resemblance in those tabloid photos! Though she's far more striking in person."
"My brother's castoff? Please." Vanessa's nose wrinkled in distaste. "Nathan dumped that gold-digger years ago."
Across the room, Evelyn's lips curled as she spotted Vanessa. She moved through the crowd like a panther stalking prey, the slit in her gown revealing toned legs with each deliberate step.
"Back when we took pity on her, she was just some boutique clerk who seduced my brother while he was with Isabella."
The socialites leaned closer, champagne forgotten.
"She weaseled her way into our family, playing housemaid by day while—"
"—spreading her legs for business partners at night," Vanessa finished with a vicious smirk. "A glorified servant with benefits."
As she signaled for another drink, she missed Evelyn's approach. "The minute she sniffed money in Darai, she demanded a divorce. Typical whore—"
The circle abruptly stiffened, their frightened gazes darting behind Vanessa.
Evelyn's glacial voice cut through the silence. "Don't stop on my account. I was enjoying the creative writing exercise."
Vanessa whirled around, her glass shattering on the marble floor.
"You deny it?" Vanessa jutted her chin. "Nathan's marrying Isabella now. An actual lady, unlike some back-alley—"
"Isabella's three months pregnant," Evelyn countered smoothly. "Funny math, considering our divorce was finalized... last Tuesday."
Eleanor suddenly materialized, yanking Vanessa behind her. "You barren shrew!" she shrieked, finger jabbing at Evelyn. "At least Isabella can give my son heirs! What were you good for besides—"
"Enough!" Nathan's command sliced through his mother's tirade.
Eleanor blanched at the surrounding stares and pursed her lips.
Nathan had witnessed the entire exchange. What unsettled him wasn't Evelyn's composure under fire—it was the disturbing plausibility of his family's accusations.
Gripping his whiskey tumbler, he stepped forward. "Tell me truthfully. Did my family really treat you as... domestic help for three years?"
Evelyn's mocking laughter tinkled like broken crystal as her gaze flickered between Nathan and the visibly pregnant Isabella. "Why ask the villainess when your precious saints stand right here?"