Chapter 490

Evelyn's head snapped up at the familiar voice. Adrian stood in the corridor shadows, his tall frame elongated by the dim lighting. Like a lone wolf, his sharp eyes glinted coldly in the darkness.

"Stay out of my business." Evelyn turned away. "Stop haunting me."

Adrian's brow furrowed. He'd assigned guards to protect her discreetly, knew exactly where she'd been today. Yet she still rejected his presence.

His gaze dropped to Cassandra's flushed face. "What happened this time?"

Cassandra scoffed, finally catching her breath. "Your precious fiancée Isabella strikes again. Failed last time, so she tried once more. How dare you judge me, Adrian?"

Evil always finds opportunity.

"She's not my fiancée." His voice turned glacial.

"Spare me the act." Cassandra sneered. "You and Isabella are cut from the same cloth—running when things get tough. Evelyn divorcing you was the smartest decision."

Leaning on Evelyn's shoulder, she continued her tirade. "Oh, you're so impressive, so handsome, with women throwing themselves at you. But divorcing Evelyn? That's the one decent thing you've done. Couldn't just admit you fell out of love? Had to cheat with that viper Isabella?"

Adrian's expression darkened. His cousin's words painted him as irredeemable.

"You're my sister. Is this appropriate?"

Cassandra barked a laugh. "When have you treated me as family? You knew the truth yet stayed silent, letting your sister and adoptive mother torment me. I nearly died years ago because of you. Don't call me 'sister.'"

She'd heard the family secrets from Grandmother. If Uncle were still alive, the Valentines would reign supreme in Vienna.

Suddenly, Cassandra turned to Evelyn. "I heard you're with Sebastian now? Good choice. Don't let this one slip away."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. Why drag her into their feud?

Adrian's stare turned arctic, locking onto Evelyn.

"Feeling better?" Evelyn asked Cassandra. "If you can stand, let's get you home. I have things to do."

Thoughts of her two children softened her gaze.

Adrian's breath hitched at her fleeting smile—a rare splash of color in his monochrome existence.

His attention snagged on the bunny charm bracelet around her wrist. She still wore it. But the bare ring finger sent his heart plummeting again.

"Evelyn," Cassandra whimpered, "I feel awful. Take me home? Or...let me stay at your place tonight?"

She couldn't face that ice-cold mansion. Her parents only saw her as a cash cow. Returning in this state meant another round of scolding.

Evelyn sighed. "I'll take you home."

Helping Cassandra up, she deliberately avoided Adrian's scorching gaze.