Chapter 65

The moment Evelyn stepped onto the runway wearing "Ocean's Whisper," Sophia knew she'd made the right decision. The audience's collective gasp confirmed it.

Nathan Sterling's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't anticipated seeing Evelyn again after their last disastrous encounter.

For weeks, he'd been drowning in regret, convinced fate had played a cruel joke on him. He'd resolved to stay away, to respect her boundaries after his mistakes.

Yet here she was, making his pulse race uncontrollably just like that moonlit night on the terrace.

"Mother, look! It's that cursed woman again!" Vanessa hissed, tugging at Eleanor Blackwell's sleeve.

Eleanor's lips curled in distaste. "I have eyes, Vanessa. No need to announce the obvious."

Vanessa immediately fell silent. After her latest arrest scandal, even breathing too loudly earned her mother's wrath.

Eleanor's gaze fixated on the sapphire necklace, a new scheme forming. Purchasing that masterpiece could restore the Blackwell family's tarnished reputation.

Recent events had been disastrous - Evelyn's public humiliation at the luxury boutique, Vanessa's arrest. They'd become laughingstocks among Pamore's elite.

Whispers followed them everywhere - "tacky," "pathetic," "thieves."

As the show's finale piece, Evelyn remained onstage while Sophia delivered her closing remarks.

"Thank you all for supporting VERE Jewelry. My deepest gratitude to our incredible team, and especially to-"

Eleanor rudely interrupted. "Ms. Whitmore, name your price for that necklace."

Sophia's eyes flashed. "How extraordinarily rude."

The crowd murmured disapprovingly, but Eleanor stood her ground, arrogance dripping from every pore. "Spare us the theatrics. I'm offering to buy it now."

She'd come prepared this time, armed with Nathan's black card with its astronomical limit. That necklace would be hers.

Evelyn's icy voice cut through the tension. "It's not for sale."

"You're just the hired help! What gives you the right to decide?" Eleanor shot to her feet.

Sophia smiled serenely. "Actually, she has every right. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present my muse and the true designer of this piece - Ms. Evelyn Carter!"

The audience erupted in fresh admiration.

"That's incredible! She designed it herself?"

"Sophia Whitmore's personal muse!"

"Talented and stunning - what a combination!"

Eleanor scoffed. "Designer or not, if VERE wants my business, you'll sell it."

Sophia delivered the final blow. "Actually, Ms. Carter provided all materials herself. We're merely exhibiting it for her."

Eleanor's face turned purple, as if she'd swallowed something vile, while the crowd's whispers grew louder.

"Rich, beautiful AND talented?"

"The ex-mother-in-law's making quite the spectacle."

"True artistry can't be bought."

"New money never learns."

Vanessa tried dragging Eleanor away, but reporters swarmed them.

"Mrs. Blackwell, how does it feel being publicly rejected by your former daughter-in-law?"

"That necklace is valued at nearly a billion. Rumor says you couldn't afford a $180K piece last month. Care to comment?"

"After how your family treated Ms. Carter, do you really think you can buy her forgiveness?"