Chapter 42

Sebastian Hart's expression turned utterly shocked.

He grasped the outrageous accusation immediately. Kiss your brother? What absolute nonsense.

Evelyn Sinclair wasn't some desperate fool who'd go after a worthless playboy.

"If you don't believe me, ask anyone present!" Sophia Blackwood insisted shrilly.

Her entourage gave hesitant nods, their eyes darting nervously between the parties.

Sebastian scoffed dismissively. "Why would I trust your little clique of conspirators? Do I look stupid to you?"

Sophia's face flushed crimson with rage. "It's true! Evelyn, too cowardly to admit it? My brother only cares about Vanessa Holloway."

She leaned forward venomously. "You were just a walking blood bag for her. Did you really think you could stay married into our family? We'd never accept trash like you!"

Vanessa's name had always been Evelyn's Achilles' heel - a wound Sophia delighted in reopening.

Yet Evelyn merely arched one perfect eyebrow, her lips curling into an icy smile. Her gaze swept over Sophia's cowering friends like a winter gale.

"The entire world knows about your brother's affair with Vanessa Holloway." Evelyn's voice dripped with disdain. "Your outburst only confirms his infidelity during our marriage. How... illuminating."

Sophia paled, then exploded. "You shameless gold-digger! Everything you're wearing, eating, living on - all paid for by your string of sugar daddies!"

Her shrill voice carried across the entire second floor, drawing shocked stares.

"Do they know you're no heiress? Just some penniless beggar who had to grovel to my brother for pocket money?" Sophia's laughter turned hysterical. "Our maids took vacations when you visited - because you'd do their work! Laundry, cooking, gardening - our personal live-in servant!"

She was panting now, drunk on her own cruelty. "My brother didn't marry a wife - he acquired free labor!"

"Sophia Blackwood!"

A voice like cracking ice cut through her tirade. Sophia spun to find Nathan Blackwood looming behind her, his face stormy.

"B-Brother?" Her bravado evaporated.

Nathan's presence seemed to suck all oxygen from the space. No one had noticed when he'd arrived, but now his fury was a tangible force.

Sophia recoiled, her face draining of color. The household staff had been strictly forbidden from discussing how they'd treated Evelyn. If Nathan discovered...

But no - what did it matter now? The divorce was final!

Drawing herself up, Sophia attempted damage control. "Brother, I was just putting this woman in her place. She tried to seduce—"

"Oh, spare us the act!" Sebastian interjected furiously. His hands clenched into fists. "Is this how the Blackwoods treated the woman we cherished?"

His voice dropped to a dangerous timbre. "You dare boast about such despicable behavior? It was Evelyn's misfortune to ever marry into your wretched family!"

Sebastian positioned himself protectively before Evelyn. Those three lost years of her life weren't fodder for public ridicule.

Sophia's eyes darted between them. "What's your relationship really? Were you two carrying on behind my brother's back?"

"Sophia! Enough!" Nathan's roar silenced the room.

Veins stood out on his forehead. His chest constricted painfully - whether from rage or something else, he couldn't tell.