Chapter 109

"Evelyn!" Nathan called out. He turned to Leonard. "May I speak with her privately?"

Leonard deferred to Evelyn with a glance. Her expression remained unreadable, only the slightest curve of her lips betraying any emotion.

"Very well," she said.

As Leonard departed, he fixed Nathan with a stern look. "The divorce is final. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

Nathan simply nodded before turning back to Evelyn.

"What do you want?" Her voice was calm, as if discussing the weather.

Nathan remembered their wedding day three years ago - how she'd stood shyly beside him for their marriage photo.

The memory faded as quickly as it came. Now he searched her face for answers.

"Why did you hide your identity to marry me?"

The question caught Evelyn off guard. What difference did it make now?

"Why does it matter, Mr. Sterling?"

Nathan's ocean-deep eyes bored into hers. "Just answer me."

Evelyn looked away, her thoughts drifting to another time.

"My family disapproved. But I couldn't imagine life without you."

She'd abandoned everything for him - her name, her status, her family's approval. All for love that turned to dust.

"Now I understand love requires two willing hearts. My one-sided devotion only brought pain."

A self-deprecating smile touched her lips. "Youthful folly, Mr. Sterling. Now if you'll excuse me."

She walked away, her seven-inch heels clicking with finality. Every step radiated confidence and independence.

The birthday celebration eventually concluded, but the revelations dominated headlines for weeks.

"Unbelievable! Evelyn Carter is actually Kingsley royalty!"

"Is this some fairy tale? Rich girl marries in disguise, divorces, and becomes the world's wealthiest woman!"

"The Sterlings must be kicking themselves! Beautiful, kind, and loaded - she's literally a storybook heroine!"

When Gregory Hammond saw the news in Sterling Heights, he nearly fell off his couch.

He rubbed his eyes, pinched himself. The pain confirmed this wasn't a dream.

Frantically, he texted his group chat: "HOLY CRAP! Evelyn's part of the Kingsley empire!"

Remembering how he'd treated her made him cringe. He'd thought her lucky to marry up - little did he know.

"My face is burning just thinking about it," he typed. "The Kingsleys could crush us like ants. Is it too late to apologize?"

His messages hung in digital silence. No one could process this seismic shift.

The news cycle eventually moved on. After resting at home, Evelyn prepared to return to Sterling Heights. Dominic accompanied her to the airport.

Before boarding, he handed her an envelope.

"What's this?" she asked.