Chapter 240

Evelyn Sinclair had only encountered that distinctively icy, luxurious fragrance on one person before - Victoria Ashford.

At their initial meeting during the charity gala.

In Sebastian Hart's penthouse.

And again tonight at the opera house benefit.

The same signature scent lingered in the air now. A soft, mocking chuckle came from the shadows.

"Ms. Sinclair, how perceptive of you." The voice dripped with false sweetness. "To recognize me so easily?"

Evelyn didn't dignify that with a response, rolling her eyes dramatically.

Pity Victoria couldn't see the gesture. What a wasted performance.

Victoria Ashford - the legendary business magnate who built an empire from scratch, worshipped by Forbes and Fortune alike - resorting to kidnapping? This wasn't some impulsive act. Nor was it about money.

"I assume you didn't bring me here to exchange pleasantries, Ms. Ashford?" Evelyn's voice cut through the darkness like polished steel. "Get to the point. What do you want?"

A sharp intake of breath.

Evelyn could practically taste the fury Victoria was swallowing. What fascinated her most was her own unnatural calm.

No panic. No fear. Just icy disdain as she'd unmasked her captor with effortless precision.

The shadows shifted as Victoria stepped into the dim light, her designer heels clicking against concrete.

"Aren't you frightened, Ms. Sinclair?" Victoria's manicured fingers toyed with a cigarette. "What comes next won't be... pleasant."

Evelyn lifted her chin, their gazes locking like dueling blades.

Then she laughed.

A rich, melodic sound that seemed absurd in their grim surroundings. Her lips - still perfectly painted despite everything - formed each word with crystalline clarity.

"This is about Sebastian Hart, isn't it?"

The temperature seemed to drop twenty degrees.

That name was Victoria's open wound. A decade of unrequited longing hidden beneath power suits and boardroom victories. She'd convinced herself there was still time, still hope - until tonight.

Until she saw the way Sebastian looked at Evelyn.

The way he'd been about to kneel before the entire opera house.

It shattered something fundamental in Victoria.

No failed merger, no billion-dollar loss had ever made her feel this unraveled. This... desperate.

Her smile turned razor-sharp. "Clever girl. Yes, this concerns Sebastian Hart."

Evelyn shook her head, genuine confusion knitting her brows. "Even if you destroy me, it won't make him love you. Surely a woman of your intellect knows how... primitive this approach is?"

She emphasized the last word, letting it hang between them.

Force was for thugs and fools.

And this was Evelyn's city. The Sinclair family's domain. One word from her, and Victoria's precious Ashford Enterprises would burn.

Was Sebastian worth torching her life's work?

Victoria's laugh was hollow. "Effective is effective, darling." She took a deliberate step closer. "Ruining your special night does seem cruel, but what choice did you leave me? Your family guards you too well."

A lighter flicked open.

The flame illuminated Victoria's face, highlighting the madness in her eyes. "I only need some... compromising photos. Enough to ensure you disappear from Sebastian's world permanently."

She exhaled smoke directly into Evelyn's face. "Then you'll be a good girl and listen, won't you?"

Evelyn didn't flinch.

The glow from Victoria's cigarette reflected in her eyes - twin pools of liquid defiance. That famous Sinclair smirk played across her lips.

"Of course I'll listen," Evelyn purred. Then her voice hardened to tempered steel. "But you'll fail."

The sheer arrogance in that statement made Victoria stiffen.

Even bound and outnumbered, Evelyn Sinclair remained untouchable. A queen among peasants. The realization made Victoria's blood boil.

After a stunned moment, Victoria recovered with a predator's smile. She raised one hand, signaling unseen figures in the darkness.

"Let's test that theory, shall we?" Her voice dripped with false sympathy. "My apologies in advance, Ms. Sinclair..."