Chapter 339

Eleanor Langley's fingers trembled slightly as the ruby necklace glinted sharply under the light. So this gift had been part of his scheme all along.

She should have known.

Vincent Langley's cruelty never failed to disappoint.

Isabella wasn't her flesh and blood, but she carried Vincent's genes. That man had swapped her real daughter with his mistress's child years ago. What was he plotting now?

A sharp pain pierced her chest. For twenty years, she'd wondered where her true daughter might be.

Vincent owed his success entirely to her family's support. Every dirty deal he'd made—she'd been the one cleaning up after him.

And this was how he repaid her.

Her lips curled into a cold smile as she set the necklace gently on the coffee table. "You'll get what's due to you. We'll discuss your marriage when your father returns."

If Vincent dared to conspire with Margaret Valentine, if he dared to push Isabella into the Valentine family—then he'd brought this upon himself.

He'd destroyed her daughter's life. Now she'd make sure his daughter wished she were dead.

"You're the best, Mom!" Isabella sprang up eagerly. "Get some rest. I'm heading upstairs."

Eleanor watched her leave, her gaze lingering on the necklace. Ice formed in her eyes.

She placed the necklace inside the display case herself. This ruby would serve as a constant reminder—the flames of vengeance would never die.

Night had fallen when Evelyn Roland returned home. Her first stop was the nursery.

Two little bundles immediately crawled toward her the moment she entered.

Gabrielle Flores pouted nearby. After spending all day playing with them, these ungrateful rascals forgot her the second their mother appeared.

"Go rest, sis." Gabrielle yawned. "These clever little things are a breeze to handle."

Evelyn rubbed her sore shoulders. "Thanks for your help."

"But..." Gabrielle lowered her voice. "Still no change with Christian Lefèvre. If he stays like this, I can't guarantee his bodily functions will hold up in three years."

Evelyn frowned. "We've done all we can. The rest is up to fate."

"Honestly, even if he wakes up, what's the point?" Gabrielle scoffed. "Wasting his prime years moping around instead of making something of himself."

In her opinion, life offered endless possibilities. She holed up researching every day and still enjoyed herself.

After Gabrielle left, Evelyn bathed the children. They nestled against her, hungrily nursing.

By ten o'clock, the little ones were fast asleep, their cheeks flushed with dreams.