Chapter 35

"Nathan, why are you even entertaining this conversation with that cursed woman?"

Eleanor Blackwell gripped Nathan Sterling's arm tightly, her nails digging into his suit sleeve. She had never seen him lower himself to negotiate with Evelyn Carter—let alone with such deference.

Since when did Evelyn, who had always been obedient, dare to challenge them?

Eleanor stormed toward Evelyn, her chin lifted in disdain. "So what if we ruined your pathetic little shop? What reputation do you even have to protect?"

Her voice dripped with venom. "You never fought back before when we put you in your place!"

But the moment she saw Nathan's expression darken, she realized her blunder.

She had just exposed how horribly they had treated Evelyn for years.

Dominic Kingsley, standing beside Evelyn, scoffed in disgust.

"These are the people you've been serving all this time?" His voice was laced with disbelief. "This is the family you called your own?"

Then, remembering his sister's suffering, he clenched his jaw. "It's your choice to deal with them, but if you embarrass our family by being weak now, I won’t forgive you."

Evelyn gave him a small, reassuring smile before turning back to Eleanor, her gaze icy.

"Let me guess," she said coolly. "You're about to tell me that your precious daughter just needs to compensate me, right?"

Eleanor didn’t even bother denying it.

"Am I wrong?" she sneered. "How much could that dump possibly be worth? We can afford whatever petty sum you're demanding."

Evelyn tilted her head, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Three hundred million dollars."

Eleanor nearly choked.

"What?" she shrieked. "That’s impossible! Who do you think you’re scamming?"

Evelyn didn’t flinch. "If you don’t believe me, I have the financial records to prove it. But don’t worry—you’ll believe me soon enough."

"You wretched girl!" Eleanor’s face twisted in fury. "I’ll tear you apart before I let you humiliate us!"

She lunged forward, but Nathan caught her wrist, his grip unyielding.

"Enough," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous.

The argument had drawn the attention of half the gala’s attendees, and whispers spread like wildfire.

"That’s the Blackwell family? Disgusting."

"Did you hear how they treated her? No wonder she left."

"Honestly, if I were Evelyn, I would’ve cheated on him too."

Nathan flinched at the words.

Had he really been so blind?

While Vanessa sobbed theatrically and Isabella played the victim, Nathan exhaled sharply.

"Evelyn," he said, forcing calm into his voice. "I’ll pay the three hundred million. Can we end this here?"

Evelyn smiled, but there was no warmth in it.

"Oh, they’ll pay," she said. "And they’ll go to jail."

Nathan stiffened. "That’s excessive."

"Is it?" Evelyn arched a brow. "Destroying a business worth three hundred million is a felony. If your family failed to teach her consequences, the justice system will."

Then her gaze locked onto Isabella, sharp as a blade.

"And you."

Isabella paled.

"You know exactly what you did," Evelyn murmured. "By the time the police finish with you, I’ll have all the evidence I need."