Chapter 355

The crowd gradually dispersed. Evelyn Langley was about to head to the next exhibition hall when she turned and nearly collided with Margaret Evans.

Sophia Laurent dramatically gasped.

Evelyn remained composed, calmly averting her gaze.

They had long become strangers, not even on nodding terms.

This was for the best—no entanglement, no connection.

To everyone's surprise, Margaret stepped forward with a forced smile. "Evelyn, what a coincidence."

William Langley and Victoria exchanged puzzled glances.

Sophia whispered something in their ears.

Victoria's eyes instantly turned frosty.

The smile vanished from William's face.

Before Margaret could speak, Linda Lombardi's shrill voice cut in—

"What's taking so long? This dump is stuffy and reeks. Let's go!"

"Mom, I'm hungry." Tyler Lombardi kicked the ground impatiently.

Linda commanded imperiously, "Go buy my son the most expensive food you can find!"

Margaret wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Evelyn and Sophia exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Was this the same haughty Margaret they knew?

Sophia's eyes sparkled mischievously as she smiled at Tyler. "And you are...?"

"I'm Tyler Lombardi!" The teenager's eyes lit up. "What's your name, beautiful?"

The Lombardis...

Evelyn's gaze darkened.

She'd already heard from Sophia about Chloe Valentine's miscarriage and hospitalization. Margaret had turned a blind eye, and Nathan Evans had avoided the situation entirely.

It had come to this.

Evelyn felt no satisfaction—only sorrow for another woman's fate.

Sacrificing youth, education, and health for a man...

Was it worth it?

She was grateful she'd extricated herself in time.

Sophia feigned curiosity. "So you and Mrs. Evans are...?"

"She dragged us to this dump!" Tyler complained like a burst dam.

Sophia's eyes widened in mock realization. "So Aunt Margaret has become someone's lackey now."

"Sophia Laurent!" Margaret's face turned ashen. "Watch your tone!"

"Did I say something wrong?" Sophia smirked coldly. "The Evans and Laurent families share no connections."

Her words stabbed Margaret's heart like knives.

"Let's go." Sophia linked arms with Evelyn. "Don't waste time here."

Linda watched their retreating figures and sneered. "How unpopular."

Margaret clenched her fists.

The brief encounter was soon forgotten. Evelyn took her parents through the remaining exhibits before leading them to an upscale French restaurant.

"This place must be expensive," Victoria remarked, eyeing the elegant decor.

Evelyn smiled, looping her arm through her mother's. "It's a rare outing. Let's indulge."