Chapter 12

The guests exchanged bewildered glances at the unfolding spectacle.

Everyone was aware of the Blackwood scandal, yet none dared provoke the powerful family further. They merely observed the drama with bated breath.

Could Evelyn Sinclair truly be as innocent as she appeared?

Nathan Blackwood's brow furrowed at Vanessa Holloway's audacious behavior. He moved to intervene when Evelyn turned with glacial composure.

Before anyone could react, Evelyn seized Vanessa's wrist and marched toward the infinity pool.

Vanessa struggled like a helpless kitten, her designer heels scraping against marble as Evelyn dragged her effortlessly.

With calculated precision, Evelyn gripped Vanessa's chin and delivered a stinging slap that echoed through the garden. The sharp crack silenced the murmuring crowd.

Releasing her hold, Evelyn watched dispassionately as Vanessa tumbled backward into the pool with a spectacular splash.

Vanessa's shriek cut off abruptly as chlorinated water filled her mouth. Her flailing limbs created frantic ripples across the pool's surface.

Evelyn wiped her hands on a cocktail napkin, her voice cutting through the stunned silence. "Since you're so determined to paint me as the villain, I might as well play the part properly. Consider this my confession."

The crowd's murmurs grew as Vanessa floundered. This was no graceful dive like her previous performance - this was pure, undignified panic.

Nathan's gaze sharpened as he reassessed the woman before him. The Evelyn he knew would never...

Vanessa, realizing no gallant rescue was forthcoming, began hauling herself toward the edge. Just as her manicured fingers grasped the coping, a crimson waterfall cascaded over her freshly styled hair.

The heady aroma of 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild permeated the air as the vintage wine streamed down Vanessa's face. Evelyn stood above her, tilting the crystal decanter with cold amusement.

"A little parting gift, Ms. Holloway." Evelyn's lips curved without warmth. "But don't rush off just yet. The main event hasn't even begun."

As Evelyn strode away, the crowd's disdainful whispers followed Vanessa like a toxic cloud. The contrast between the two women couldn't have been starker - one composed and regal, the other a sputtering mess of ruined couture and running mascara.

Vanessa's entire body trembled with humiliation and rage. From the moment Evelyn had reappeared, she'd stolen every ounce of attention that rightfully belonged to Vanessa.

If not for Evelyn's sudden return, Vanessa wouldn't be this laughingstock, this pitiful spectacle...

"Na-Nathan?" Vanessa's voice quivered as she searched the man's impassive face.

Nathan signaled a waiter to assist the shivering woman, his voice devoid of warmth. "You staged your earlier fall, didn't you?"

Vanessa's eyes darted nervously. "That's absurd! Why would I—"

"Enough." Nathan's glacial tone silenced her. The weight of his scrutiny made Vanessa shrink back into the pool's embrace.

"I'll arrange your departure."

Vanessa's relief was short-lived. A collective gasp drew all eyes upward.

Evelyn stood on the mezzanine balcony, casually leaning against the wrought iron railing. A crocodile leather suitcase rested at her feet while she took a languid drag from a cigarette, the smoke curling around her like a halo.

The crowd watched, mesmerized, as Evelyn flicked open the suitcase with one manicured hand.

What happened next would be talked about for years.

With deliberate nonchalance, Evelyn began tossing handfuls of hundred-dollar bills over the railing. The crisp banknotes fluttered through the air like golden leaves, carpeting the terrace and floating atop the pool's surface.

Waiters and guests alike scrambled to catch the raining fortune. The scene descended into controlled chaos as Evelyn increased her tempo, her expression one of detached amusement.

When mere handfuls no longer satisfied, Evelyn upended the entire suitcase. A veritable waterfall of cash - twenty-five million dollars' worth - cascaded down upon the stunned crowd, showering Nathan and a dumbstruck Vanessa in a blizzard of Benjamin Franklins.