Chapter 244

Victoria Ashford trembled violently at Sebastian Hart's words.

The usually charming, poetic, and refined Second Young Master Hart now looked at her with murderous intent.

Years of unwavering devotion and affection for him crumbled to ashes in that moment.

A flicker of anguish crossed her delicate features.

But no one spared her a glance. Evelyn Sinclair saw right through Victoria's schemes.

With a derisive sniff, she stated coldly, "She's not capable of that."

Both Sebastian and Alexander Sterling visibly relaxed at her declaration.

Evelyn Sinclair studied Nathan Blackwood with a complicated expression.

If she hadn't been in real danger, she wouldn't have triggered the emergency alert. Were those two thugs hired by Nathan Blackwood or Victoria Ashford? And why was Mr. Blackwood here? Nathan's face remained impassive as he stared back at Evelyn, his features carved from stone.

Tristan Whitmore quickly stepped forward to explain the situation again, with Harrison echoing his words. Alexander Sterling turned away. It was unthinkable that a man like Nathan Blackwood would stoop to harming Evelyn.

That left only one possibility - Victoria Ashford. Alexander paused, then turned to his sister. "Evie, what do you want to do about this?"

Evelyn arched one perfect eyebrow. "We'll simply give Victoria exactly what she wanted. Just a few photos, after all." Her voice turned icy as she addressed the trembling woman. "Ms. Ashford, if you cooperate, this will be much less unpleasant for you."

Victoria's head snapped up, her eyes wide with horror.

How dare Evelyn humiliate her like this in front of Sebastian? She was a business icon in Santa Barbara, a legend in her own right! "You wouldn't dare, Evelyn Sinclair!"

"Oh, but I would," Evelyn replied casually, examining her manicure.

"The Ashford family will make you pay for this! The entire business community in Santa Barbara will turn against you!" Victoria threatened.

Before Evelyn could respond, Alexander let out a dark chuckle. "Using your family name to intimidate my sister? How pathetic. Perhaps it's time for a change in Santa Barbara's business leadership."

Victoria paled instantly. She'd spent a decade building her empire in Santa Barbara, and Alexander Sterling could dismantle it all with a snap of his fingers.

Sebastian Hart grew impatient. "Let's get this over with. Just do as Evelyn says." His dismissive tone made it clear Victoria's humiliation meant nothing to him.

"I'd rather not witness this... unpleasantness," Evelyn murmured with a delicate shudder. Turning on her heel, she strode away with perfect posture, every inch the regal queen. The men could handle the dirty work.

Sebastian naturally followed Evelyn without a backward glance. Victoria's face twisted in ugly despair. She had lost completely.

With a sudden burst of hysterical energy, Victoria screamed at Sebastian's retreating back. "Everything I've done has been for you! I've loved you for ten years! How can you just walk away? That bitch Evelyn only keeps you around as backup! She'll never love you - she's incapable of loving anyone but herself!"

Her carefully maintained composure shattered as she screamed out the secret she'd held for a decade, uncaring of the shocked looks from the men surrounding her.

Victoria Ashford - the ruthless business titan who never bowed to anyone - had been reduced to this pathetic creature when it came to matters of the heart.

She stared desperately at Sebastian's back, praying he would turn around. That he would save her from this nightmare.

The silence stretched unbearably long. Then Sebastian stiffened and slowly turned. His eyes held nothing but pure disgust as he delivered his final blow:

"Consider yourself cursed to have ever loved me."