Chapter 187

The crowd gasped collectively. Evelyn wasn't the only one at risk here - every guest in attendance could become a target.

This was the Hart family's prestigious event. Any scandal would reflect poorly on their reputation.

The Hart family butler's expression turned stony. He snapped his fingers at two security personnel. "Escort her backstage immediately. Performers have no business mingling with guests."

Evelyn exchanged knowing glances with Natalie before following the butler inside. They paid their respects to Reginald Hart first before searching for their host.

Sebastian Hart was drowning in admirers when he spotted Evelyn. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Ah! The goddess has graced us with her presence! Now you peasants can see what real beauty looks like."

His friends groaned at his theatrics but fell silent when they saw Evelyn approaching.

She wore an emerald gown that made her glow like moonlight on water. Her chestnut waves cascaded effortlessly over bare shoulders.

Even in this sea of elites, Evelyn commanded attention effortlessly. Hearing the wolf whistles, she rolled her eyes and turned away.

Sebastian broke through the crowd like a man possessed. "Did Aphrodite herself descend from Olympus tonight?" Natalie fake-gagged and made her escape.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow dangerously. "Keep talking and I'll demonstrate how goddesses smite mortals."

Sebastian leaned in with a roguish grin. "But I only speak divine truths." His fingers playfully tugged at her dress sash.

Evelyn swatted him away, though to outside observers, their banter resembled lovers' teasing. Across the ballroom, a pair of stormy gray eyes tracked the emerald-clad figure.

The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees.

Tristan Whitmore wisely kept silent. The woman who supposedly had urgent business overseas - the same woman Nathan Blackwood had waited for all night - now glittered at Sebastian Hart's birthday gala.

Two parties. Twelve hours apart. Polar opposite atmospheres. The slap to Nathan's pride couldn't be louder if she'd physically struck him.

Tristan cleared his throat. "The Harts really go all out for birthdays, don't they? Almost vulgar with the extravagance."

For someone of Nathan's stature, merely attending was honor enough. That he'd come at all shocked Tristan.

Nathan's gaze remained fixed across the room. "Curiosity," he murmured. "Wondering who'd lower themselves to attend this circus."

Tristan nearly choked on his champagne.

Curiosity about whether Evelyn would show, more like. Since their divorce, she'd appeared with frustrating frequency. Suddenly, the stage erupted with pulsing music.

Spotlights crisscrossed as performers took the stage. The bass thumped through marble floors, drawing every eye.

The event planners knew their audience - the younger elite crowd ate up these pop performances.

Evelyn and Sebastian stood nearest the stage. The lead performer's face made Evelyn's breath catch - Yuna Takahashi, the Korean pop princess.

Yuna gyrated with manufactured sensuality, mimicking popular dance moves. Her stage persona bore zero resemblance to the vicious woman Evelyn knew.

"Fans actually buy this act?" Evelyn muttered as the decibel level climbed. She accepted a flute of champagne from a passing waiter.

Before she could comment further, warm hands covered her ears. Sebastian's breath tickled her neck. "This noise pollution isn't worthy of your ears, goddess."