Chapter 84

Evelyn remained motionless.

"Slap yourself, kneel, and beg for forgiveness. You still owe me both. What gives you the right to act so superior?"

Isabella's face twisted with fury. "Have you lost your mind? I'd never kneel to someone like you!"

That icy, detached expression on Evelyn's face infuriated Isabella most of all. She seethed at her failed attempt to eliminate Evelyn, which had backfired spectacularly.

"No matter. If you refuse to kneel now, you'll still end up behind bars after delivering that baby. I have all the time in the world to watch karma claim you."

Isabella scoffed. "Even in prison, I'll bear Nathan's child - the living proof of our love. Our bond can never be severed." Her lips curled maliciously. "Unlike you. Three years of marriage and you couldn't even produce an egg!"

Evelyn's eyes turned glacial. That had always been her breaking point.

The cruelest insult from her failed marriage.

Remembering how Isabella had orchestrated that car accident yet escaped consequences due to pregnancy, Evelyn's restraint shattered. Now this woman dared flaunt her advantage?

Evelyn seized Isabella's collar, yanking her backward like handling a ragdoll. "Say that again."

Isabella flailed helplessly, her petite frame suspended mid-air. One released grip would send her crashing down. At her advanced pregnancy, the consequences didn't bear thinking. Panic set in. "I'm carrying a child! You can't—"

"Where's that arrogance from moments ago?" Evelyn's laugh was arctic. "Scared now?"

Isabella nodded frantically, trembling.

Her frantic gaze found no potential rescuers in the deserted hospital corridor.

"Will you kneel and apologize?"

"Yes! Yes!"

Evelyn had no intention of actual harm - she simply wanted to shut Isabella up. With a vicious shove, she released her grip.

Isabella collapsed to her knees, tear-streaked face pale with shock.

Then she spotted Nathan approaching.

"Nathan! She attacked me and your baby!"

The scene mirrored their confrontation at the Frenda exhibition. Nathan's expression darkened, Isabella's crocodile tears grating on his nerves.

He made no move to assist her, having long since stopped believing her theatrics.

His concerned gaze found Evelyn instead. "Why are you at the hospital? Have your injuries from the accident fully healed?"

"Don't trouble yourself over her. My Evie's perfectly fine!" Julian interjected irritably. Slinging a protective arm around Evelyn, he steered her away.

Isabella struggled upright, tears flowing freely. "Nathan, why won't you defend me anymore?"

Nathan's glacial stare pierced her. "Fabricate enough false alarms, and eventually no one comes when you're truly in danger."

Receiving no comfort, Isabella could only trail after him, silent sobs shaking her shoulders.

Days later, in the executive office...

"Ms. Carter, preliminary negotiations with Langley Group are complete," Maxwell reported. "Mr. Langley returns from overseas shortly for detailed discussions about the technology upgrades." He accepted the signed documents from Evelyn.

"Excellent."

Maxwell hesitated after his report.

Evelyn turned. "Was there something else?"

"Ms. Carter... Sterling Enterprises just announced Nathan Sterling and Isabella Delaney's engagement."

Evelyn's smile turned glacial. "How fitting for the adulterous pair."

Her phone interrupted the moment.

Julian's voice bubbled through. "Evie, come help me select accessories for my next concert theme today? Please?"

Walter had confined Julian to mandatory rest, monitoring his every move. Only by summoning Evelyn could he escape house arrest.

"You need more recovery time."

"It's just browsing designs! No strenuous activity! Come on!"

Evelyn chuckled at her restless brother's antics. "Fine. Have Walter bring you after work."

"Freedom at last!"

At VERE Jewelry...

No staff dared disrespect Evelyn now. The employee who'd accused her of theft had been promptly dismissed.

Since Sophia Whitmore revealed Evelyn as the exhibition's lead designer, staff regarded her with starstruck awe.

And she arrived with Julian Hartwell!

The pop icon himself!

Those relationship rumors must be true!

Employees itched to snap photos of the gorgeous pair but restrained themselves during work hours.

As Evelyn advised Julian on accessory pairings, a familiar voice carried from the entrance.

"Let's select our engagement rings from VERE. What do you think, darling?"