Chapter 68

Adrian Valentine's gaze swept over her with icy detachment. "What's wrong? Losing confidence in your acting skills?"

Isabella Langley froze. Crushing her opponent with sheer talent would be the ultimate satisfaction. She had complete faith in her abilities.

Her father had sent her abroad for years of intensive training. She'd honed her craft to perfection. Acting came as naturally as breathing.

The whole "switched at birth" story was a lie. She'd been sent overseas from infancy for elite training.

Evelyn Roland had been deliberately swapped by her mother.

Her father dumped the girl in some rural village with an old man, hoping she'd perish. Only when investigators started asking questions did they fabricate the switched-at-birth story to bring Isabella back under surveillance.

The entire narrative existed solely to lure Evelyn home.

But Isabella had grown weary of exile. She needed an excuse to return. Thus the long-lost heiress persona was born, complete with the elaborate switched-at-birth deception.

Evelyn would always remain trash.

How could that wretch ever compare to her?

Isabella flashed a radiant smile. "Adrian, I'll deliver an award-worthy performance in this drama."

She would surpass Scarlett Orlando and claim next year's Academy Award.

With her family's backing, she feared nothing.

Adrian gave a curt nod. "Let's go in."

Isabella glanced toward the entrance. "But Chairman Lowell hasn't arrived yet."

She prayed silently that Theodore Lowell wouldn't show. His appearance risked exposing everything. He'd only agreed to this deal out of paternal desperation.

Adrian's brow furrowed. Chairman Lowell always kept his word. They'd wait.

His gaze drifted toward the elevators, eyes darkening like storm clouds.

"Adrian! Chairman Lowell's here!" Isabella's voice held equal parts excitement and apprehension.

Adrian watched the approaching figure. Isabella quickly composed herself. "Chairman Lowell, what an honor."

Theodore Lowell hurried over flanked by two bodyguards, beads of sweat on his forehead. "Mr. Valentine, my apologies. My daughter's asthma attack won't wait six months. Miss Langley's sister isn't answering her phone. You must contact her—she has the medication that can save my child."

Isabella's heart lurched. Evidence wasn't enough—now there was some miracle drug?

How would a backwater peasant like Evelyn possess specialized medication?

Adrian's piercing stare locked onto Isabella. "Isabella, call your sister immediately. A life hangs in the balance."

She pressed her lips into a practiced smile. "Chairman Lowell, I'm afraid I can't reach her either. She lost her phone. The evidence is gone too."

Theodore studied her with sudden intensity.

The image of his gasping daughter softened his tone. "Miss Langley, my child is suffering. Just tell me where she lives—I'll go myself. She promised the medication in six months, but now her phone's dead. Show some mercy."

Isabella faltered.

How could she possibly salvage this lie?

"I... don't actually know her address." This much was true—she'd never bothered to learn Evelyn's whereabouts.

Theodore's expression hardened. Decades of corporate dominance radiated from him like an aura. "Miss Langley, you claimed you and your sister saved my daughter together. That's why I trusted you and partnered with your fiancé. Now I simply want to find your sister, and you stonewall me. Tell me the truth—were you ever really my daughter's savior?"