Chapter 227

The crystal chandelier in the hotel lobby cast harsh, glittering reflections.

Evelyn Carter swiftly completed the check-in process and ordered room service.

The five-star hotel's food was exorbitantly priced yet disappointingly mediocre.

But when she saw Natalie Stapleton devouring the pasta like a starving animal, her eyes burned with unshed tears.

This was the cherished daughter of Central Hospital's director!

A young woman who should have been counting calories and maintaining a strict diet.

Now reduced to this pitiful state...

After Natalie finished eating, Evelyn handed her a glass of warm water.

Steam curled from the cup as Natalie finally revealed her ordeal.

Behind Simon Stapleton's prestigious Hudson University pedigree hid a filthy truth.

He'd been expelled junior year—his permanent record stamped with the damning word "rape."

"The journalism department's golden girl..." Natalie laughed bitterly. "He didn't want her. He wanted her family's import business and political connections."

At a class reunion, Simon had taken advantage when the girl was drunk.

"He promised responsibility..." Natalie's fingers whitened around the glass. "What he really wanted was a Beijing residency permit!"

Evelyn gently covered her trembling hand.

"She went straight to the police." Natalie suddenly barked a laugh. "Ironclad evidence. Hudson kicked him out within three days."

Without a degree, Simon couldn't survive in the capital. He slunk back to his mother's hometown.

"Then he met me..." Natalie's voice dropped to a whisper.

Evelyn didn't need to hear the rest.

The same playbook. A different victim.

Pregnancy before marriage. A rushed certificate. A hasty wedding...

"Evelyn, I should have listened to you..."

"It's not too late." Evelyn's voice was steel. "The procedure can be done anytime."

Tears finally spilled down Natalie's cheeks. "But the divorce... There's a mandatory cooling-off period..."

"He made demands?"

"Everything in my name..." Natalie choked. "And half of my father's assets."

Evelyn's breath caught.

The director had nearly bankrupted himself for his daughter's dowry.

Now Simon wanted to swallow it all—even the old man's retirement fund!