Chapter 115

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh. Cassandra Valentine didn't seem so detestable after all.

From the shadows, Adrian Valentine stared daggers at her retreating figure.

"Humans and dogs are fundamentally different," Evelyn said with deliberate nonchalance. "I didn't lose. I simply didn't want it. Don't flatter the Valentine name."

She turned to leave. "Since you delivered yourself to my doorstep, I'll gladly take this scandalous material. Fight amongst yourselves all you want—just leave me out of it. We're long since settled."

Cassandra made no move to stop her.

She approached Adrian, his expression unreadable in the darkness, but the icy aura around him was unmistakable.

"Adrian, I recorded tonight's little show," Cassandra sneered. "It's time to settle the score from a year ago."

Her gaze flicked to the bruises on Isabella's neck and the swelling on her cheek. "Self-directed melodrama is amusing, isn't it? Pity you didn't go all the way. Next time, tell Adrian to just stab Evelyn to death. He obeys your every word, after all."

"Enough!" Adrian roared.

Cassandra ignored him. "Evelyn was wise to leave. A scoundrel and a schemer—a match made in hell."

Isabella clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. She'd underestimated this woman and now found herself cornered.

"What do you want?" she hissed through gritted teeth.

This footage could never go public. The persona she'd painstakingly crafted couldn't afford to crumble.

"You think you're in any position to negotiate?" Cassandra adjusted her cuffs with elegant precision. "I've had proof since last year. I just couldn't be bothered to expose you. But you seem addicted to playing the victim."

She leaned close, whispering in Isabella's ear, "Know why I've let you climb so high? The higher you rise, the harder you fall. I can wait for the show."

Straightening, Cassandra cast a disdainful glance at her. "A homewrecker who tramples on others' happiness—how blindingly bright you shine."

Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she walked away.

"Adrian!" Isabella's eyes welled with tears. "Why didn't you help me?"

The air around him turned glacial. "You staged this farce and got caught red-handed. And you dare ask me that?"

"I just—" Her voice cracked. "Seeing you go after her, I couldn't bear it—"

"Enough," he cut her off. "Intervening would only humiliate you further."

Watching him leave, Isabella bit her lip until it bled. Adrian treated her well, but his heart was never in it.

If it had been Christian Lefèvre, he would have fought for her without hesitation.