Chapter 64

Vanessa finally shuffled toward Evelyn with all the enthusiasm of a condemned prisoner. "I... apologize," she mumbled, barely audible.

Olivia crossed her arms. "Speak up! The entire room didn't hear that."

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms as she forced out louder words. "I'm sorry! Okay? Are you happy now?" Her gaze darted to Nathan. "Satisfied?" The expression on her face suggested she'd rather be anywhere else.

Nathan's voice could have frozen hell. "The question isn't for me to answer." Vanessa turned pleading eyes toward Evelyn.

"If apologies solved everything, we wouldn't need law enforcement. Did I ever say sorry was enough, Mr. Sterling? You overestimate your influence," Evelyn countered.

Her mocking smile made Nathan realize he no longer recognized this woman before him.

"Why should I forgive being wronged so easily? Does her last name make her untouchable?" Evelyn continued.

Vanessa had grown bold precisely because the Sterlings kept excusing her behavior. Evelyn wouldn't make that mistake.

When Sophia understood Evelyn's position, she immediately dialed 911. Within minutes, officers were dragging a screaming Vanessa away for the second time that week.

Watching his sister being manhandled into a squad car, Nathan's expression darkened like a gathering storm.

"All this over jewelry?" He stared at Evelyn in disbelief. "When did you become so cruel?"

Before their divorce, she'd endured every slight with quiet dignity. Now she treated the Sterlings like sworn enemies.

This new version of Evelyn grew more unrecognizable each day. He'd forced Vanessa to apologize, even offered compensation. What more did Evelyn want?

"Funny. I've always been this person. You simply never cared to notice." Evelyn's careless smile didn't reach her eyes. She owed Nathan no explanations.

Without another word, Nathan left for the police station. The moment he disappeared, Evelyn's mask slipped away.

Days later, Sophia's jewelry exhibition opened to much fanfare. Tickets sold out instantly, but she'd reserved prime seats for her closest friends.

Backstage before the show, Evelyn and Olivia arrived wearing custom Prada that complemented Sophia's designs perfectly.

Sophia had been pacing anxiously until their arrival visibly relaxed her. "Two models dropped out last minute. I was terrified we'd have to cancel displaying some pieces."

Her assessing gaze swept over them. "You'd both be perfect."

"Seriously?" Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

Sophia winked. "Absolutely. You'll outshine any professional model."

Exchanging amused glances, the friends realized they'd been recruited as impromptu models. "Well then," Olivia grinned, "let's give them a show to remember."

The exhibition's "Nature's Essence" theme featured jewelry inspired by organic forms and colors. Critics praised how these pieces redefined traditional design paradigms.

Every guest sat riveted, unwilling to blink and miss any detail of Sophia Whitmore's groundbreaking collection.

For lively Olivia, Sophia selected "Golden Sunrise" - yellow diamonds arranged like sunbeams. Paired with flowing chiffon, Olivia became a woodland nymph come to life.

As music swelled, Olivia's radiant entrance captivated the audience. The jewelry sparkled, but her infectious energy stole the show. Catching Sophia's eye, she tossed her hair with theatrical flair before making way for the professional models.

Then came the moment everyone awaited - the reveal of the collection's pièce de résistance.

Under ethereal lighting, a vision in blue emerged. When Nathan recognized the model, his breath caught painfully.

Evelyn moved with effortless grace, her delicate collarbone adorned with Sophia's masterpiece - "Ocean's Lament."

The exquisite blue diamond necklace should have been the star. Yet somehow, Evelyn's quiet elegance outshone even these priceless gems. Together, they created magic.

The audience sat transfixed. No one dared breathe as Evelyn commanded the space with each measured step. Her subtle smile held mysteries they longed to solve, her poise demanding their complete attention.

For those privileged few, time stood still before such breathtaking beauty.

Vanessa finally shuffled toward Evelyn with reluctant steps. Her apology came out in a whisper barely louder than rustling leaves. "I... I'm sorry."

Olivia crossed her arms, her voice sharp. "Speak up! That's not an apology."

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms as she forced the words out louder. "I said I'm sorry! Are you happy now?" Her gaze darted to Nathan. "Is this enough for you?"

Nathan's expression remained frosty. "That's not my decision to make." His eyes flicked toward Evelyn meaningfully.

Vanessa turned pleading eyes toward Evelyn, who merely arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "If apologies solved everything, we wouldn't need law enforcement. Did I ever say an apology would keep you out of handcuffs?" Evelyn's laugh was cold. "You overestimate your family's influence, Mr. Sterling."

The mocking curve of Evelyn's lips made Nathan's chest tighten. This woman before him felt like a stranger.

"Why should I forgive being framed so easily?" Evelyn tilted her head. "Does the Sterling name grant immunity from consequences?"

Vanessa had grown bold precisely because the Sterlings had always shielded her from repercussions. Evelyn had no intention of letting history repeat itself.

Sophia wasted no time calling the authorities. Within minutes, officers arrived to escort a screaming Vanessa away for the second time. She kicked and thrashed like a wild animal being caged.

Watching his sister being manhandled into the police car, Nathan's expression darkened to thunderous levels. "All this over jewelry?" He stared at Evelyn in disbelief. "When did you become so cruel?"

Before their divorce, she'd endured every slight with quiet dignity. Now she treated the Sterlings like sworn enemies.

This version of Evelyn grew more unrecognizable by the day. He'd forced Vanessa to apologize publicly and offered compensation. What more did Evelyn want?

"Darling," Evelyn purred, "I've always been this person. You simply never bothered to look closely enough." She waved him off without further explanation, her smile vanishing the moment he turned toward the police station.

Days later, Sophia's highly anticipated jewelry exhibition opened to rave reviews. Tickets had sold out within hours, but Sophia had reserved front-row seats for her closest friends.

Backstage before the show, Evelyn and Olivia arrived in stunning custom Prada ensembles that turned heads. Sophia, who'd been pacing anxiously, visibly relaxed at their arrival.

"Two models dropped out last minute," Sophia confessed, running a hand through her hair. "I was panicking about filling their spots in time." Her assessing gaze swept over them. "You two would be perfect."

Evelyn blinked. "Seriously?"

Sophia grinned. "Absolutely. You'll outshine any professional model out there."

Exchanging amused glances, the friends agreed. "Alright, let's do this."

The exhibition's "Nature's Symphony" theme featured pieces inspired by organic shapes and colors. International critics praised the collection for revolutionizing traditional jewelry design.

Every attendee remained riveted, unwilling to miss a single moment of Sophia Whitmore's genius.

For vibrant Olivia, Sophia selected the "Golden Sunrise" set - yellow diamonds that complemented her effervescent personality perfectly. As the music swelled, Olivia floated down the runway like a woodland nymph, earning gasps of admiration.

Then came the moment everyone awaited - the reveal of the collection's pièce de résistance.

Spotlights illuminated the runway as a breathtaking vision emerged. Nathan's breath caught when he recognized Evelyn gliding toward him, her delicate collarbone adorned with Sophia's masterpiece - "Ocean's Lament."

The exquisite blue diamond necklace paled in comparison to Evelyn's ethereal beauty. Together, they created magic.

The audience sat transfixed, unable to look away from Evelyn's graceful movements. She commanded the space with effortless elegance, her aloof magnetism holding everyone captive.

No one dared breathe for fear of breaking the spell. Every eye followed her, every heart beat faster at her smile. In that moment, Evelyn Carter wasn't just beautiful - she was unforgettable.