Chapter 420

If the Delaney family hadn't collapsed and Isabella hadn't vanished without a trace, Juliette would never have resurfaced.

And Diana would have remained dead in everyone's memories.

"Diana, I'm sorry about Isabella." Nathan didn't elaborate. Those simple words carried the weight of his regret.

"How amusing to hear an apology from the great Mr. Sterling. But I don't need your pity. What I need is your help to restore my family's legacy."

"Let's join forces against Evelyn. I want to break her completely. To make her experience the agony of losing everything," Diana declared, her voice laced with steel.

Nathan's eyes darkened as he immediately rejected her. "As long as I'm breathing, you won't lay a finger on Evelyn."

That single sentence spoke volumes about where his loyalties lay.

Diana arched an eyebrow in surprise. The ruthless business titan, feared for his merciless tactics, actually had a weakness.

"Nathan, you only have two choices. Help me, or watch Evelyn and I perish together. My life means nothing, but hers? The precious Kingsley heiress? Surely you don't want her to meet an untimely end?"

The effect was instantaneous. Nathan's face twisted in fury.

He seized Diana's wrist, his grip like iron. "Don't test me, Diana."

His violent reaction only pleased her more. The stronger his response, the clearer it proved Evelyn's importance to him.

She smirked. "Relax, Nathan. I'll spare her life... for now. But I will strip away everything she holds dear. Let her taste what it's like to fall from grace."

With that, Diana wrenched free from his grasp and strode away.

Nathan watched her retreating figure, his knuckles whitening as he suddenly slammed his fist into the concrete wall.

—

The shrill ringtone jolted Evelyn awake. She fumbled for her phone, her voice thick with sleep. "Hello?"

"Evie! Turn on the news! Juliette's holding a press conference right now!"

That snapped Evelyn to full alertness. She bolted upright. "What press conference?"

Natalie's words tumbled out in a rush. "Juliette just announced she's quitting the fashion industry. She's launching a new venture into real estate development."

Evelyn swiped open her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. The hashtag #JulietteExitsFashion was trending at number one.

She tapped into the live feed just as Juliette appeared on camera.

True to form, Juliette made no mention of past scandals or controversies. No explanations, no justifications.

With cool professionalism, she announced her departure from fashion design and the establishment of Blackwood Realty, marking her official foray into property development.

"Blackwood Realty?"

"The Delaneys built their empire on real estate. They dominated Pamore's property market for decades. Now Juliette's stepping into that arena. What does that tell you?"

At minimum, it confirmed Juliette's deep ties to the Delaney dynasty. This move signaled her intent to reclaim what was lost.

A slow smile curved Evelyn's lips. "Seems she's throwing down the gauntlet."

"A challenge? Evie, what's your next move?"