Chapter 5

The moment William Sterling entered the room, Evelyn Sinclair threw herself into his arms, her body wracked with sobs.

William's heart ached as he held his daughter. She had been raised in luxury, never knowing hardship—yet she had debased herself for Nathan Blackwood. And what had that bastard given her in return? Nothing but pain.

If not for their prior arrangement, William would have crushed the Blackwood empire and made Nathan pay for hurting his precious girl.

"Evelyn, remember our deal?" William murmured, stroking her hair as she cried. "If that man didn't love you within three years, you'd return to take your place at Sterling Enterprises. It's time to honor that promise now."

Between shuddering breaths, Evelyn forced out her reply. "I... I won't... be so foolish... again."

She had abandoned everything for what she'd believed was love—her family, her status, her pride—only to crash and burn like a doomed star.

Now, piece by painful piece, she was tearing Nathan from her heart. The scars would remain, but the wound would finally close.

"Good." William's eyes shone with pride. "Your brother Alexander will guide you at the company. Once you're settled, we'll host a gala to reintroduce you to society as a Sterling heiress."

Before the official announcement, Evelyn's closest friend Isabella Montgomery came rushing over. The moment she saw Evelyn, Isabella engulfed her in a fierce embrace. "Darling! I've missed you terribly! Congratulations on your divorce!"

Isabella had been the loudest voice against Evelyn's marriage from the start. Seeing her best friend after years of estrangement brought fresh tears to Evelyn's eyes. They talked for hours, catching up on everything.

Eventually, Isabella demanded to see the divorce papers. With reluctance, Evelyn produced them. "Nathan Blackwood—that blind, arrogant fool!" Isabella exclaimed. "He'll regret this until his dying day!"

Evelyn lowered her lashes. "Even if he does, it no longer concerns me. He's nothing to me now."

"Exactly! With your beauty and pedigree, suitors will line up from Manhattan to Montauk! That bastard wouldn't even make the waiting list!" Isabella scoffed.

Remembering important documents left at Nathan's penthouse, Evelyn resolved to retrieve them. Isabella insisted on accompanying her—a decision Evelyn soon regretted.

Nathan's mother Margaret stood in the foyer when they arrived. The woman had always treated the penthouse as her own domain. Her lips curled in distaste at the sight of Evelyn and her companion.

"Evelyn, how many times must I tell you? This home contains sensitive documents. You can't just bring any random gold-digger here." Margaret's voice dripped with condescension.

Isabella's jaw dropped. "Who are you calling a gold-digger, you old hag? Shouldn't you be in a retirement home instead of insulting guests?"

As a socialite accustomed to admiration, Isabella wasn't about to tolerate such rudeness. The interaction revealed volumes about Evelyn's former life, fueling Isabella's outrage.

Margaret gave a derisive sniff, eyeing Isabella's designer outfit. "Fake labels won't disguise your common roots. I've seen countless social climbers like you, dreaming above your station."

"Margaret, this is my friend," Evelyn interjected coldly. "Show some respect."

The demand stunned Margaret. Normally meek Evelyn daring to challenge her? In front of an outsider? Unthinkable!

"Respect?" Margaret spat. "For gutter trash like you? Consider yourself lucky my family tolerated you these three years. You and your little friend reek of poverty—get out before you dirty my floors further!"

The venom in Margaret's voice hung thick in the air as Evelyn and Isabella stood frozen in the doorway.