Chapter 103

Lucas Sterling's gaze lingered on the smartphone in Evelyn Sinclair's hand. "That's definitely mine!" he confirmed.

Every member of the Sterling family used Evelyn's birthday as their passcode - a thoughtful gesture to help her remember. With this knowledge, Evelyn completed the transaction effortlessly.

A muscle twitched in Lucas's jaw. He found himself nostalgic for the days when his sister merely requested yachts - at least those purchases were more economical.

While $800 million was merely pocket change for Lucas, watching such a sum vanish still left an odd hollowness in his chest. He gave himself a reassuring pat.

"She's my sister. Spending my money is her birthright," he reasoned aloud. "Besides, it's only eight hundred million! Her happiness is priceless."

Leo, the AI tiger companion, finally warmed up to him, rubbing its head affectionately against Lucas's leg. Distracted by the adorable display, Lucas scooped up Leo and wandered off to play.

That afternoon, while Evelyn's scandal dominated headlines, another trending topic emerged: @RichBaby.

[First time seeing how the 1% shops - price tags don't even register!]

[@RichBaby - the name says it all!]

[Age is just a number! Marry me and take my last name!]

[Who IS this @RichBaby? The internet demands answers!]

After providing the livestreamer with a delivery address, Evelyn happily set aside Lucas's phone.

Her own device displayed seven missed calls - one from Nathan Blackwood, four from Patriarch Blackwood, and two from Isabella Montgomery and an unknown number. As Evelyn reached to call Isabella back, her phone rang again. A cold smile curved her lips.

"Getting impatient, are we?" she murmured. Though Patriarch Blackwood had backed her into a corner and turned public opinion against her, Evelyn still held the ultimate bargaining chip - the emerald pipe. What did she have to fear?

She answered with deliberate nonchalance. "Hello?"

On the other end, the butler exhaled in relief. "Sir, she answered!" he announced excitedly to Patriarch Blackwood.

Evelyn's smile widened. She heard the phone change hands, followed by Patriarch Blackwood's measured tone. "Evelyn, have you finally come to your senses?"

"Come to my senses?" Evelyn feigned confusion, her brow furrowing slightly. "Patriarch Blackwood, I'm afraid I don't understand. What exactly am I supposed to be admitting to?"

A derisive snort came through the line. "How have you been faring? I hear you've stopped going to the office entirely. Did Alexander Sterling cast you out? I warned you that marrying into high society isn't as simple as you imagined. Not everyone is as gullible as Nathan!"

Evelyn's smile remained unshaken. "How kind of you to inquire, Patriarch Blackwood. I've been living my best life lately. Lounging about aimlessly has always been my dream."

Her days consisted of leisure and lavish spending - what could be more enjoyable?

"Still stubborn, I see," Patriarch Blackwood scoffed, refusing to believe her unaffected demeanor.

"Was there something you needed? Otherwise, I'll be hanging up now." Evelyn had no intention of wasting another second on undeserving individuals.

"Trying to play tough?" she thought derisively. "Nathan Blackwood and his grandfather are cut from the same cloth. I'll never let them look down on me again."

Several seconds of silence passed before Patriarch Blackwood's voice deepened. "Evelyn, no matter what you do, you can't escape your past. Unless... the Blackwood family publicly supports you. Do you comprehend?"

He'd practically spelled it out for her. Surely she'd take the hint - she had no other options.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow, releasing a scornful laugh. "You orchestrated this entire fiasco and now want to console me? Patriarch Blackwood, isn't your arrogance showing?"

"Hmph! You have no alternatives," he stated with absolute certainty. "Return the emerald pipe, and I'll cease the online attacks against you. I might even appoint you as a manager in one of our subsidiary companies - enough to keep you from starvation."