Chapter 133

Evelyn Sullivan's lips curled into a faint smile as her gaze shifted between Lily White and Sophia Reynolds. "No need for paint. I just hope you'll remember today's humiliation."

She paused, her voice soft yet cutting. "Think twice before acting next time."

Lily's nails dug into her palms as she clung to her last shred of dignity. "I'll remember your advice, Ms. Sullivan."

As she stepped off the stage, Lily caught sight of a figure in the corner. Alexander King stood there, watching her with a complicated expression.

Her heart clenched. The cold rejection from his phone call at the police station still echoed in her ears.

Taking a deep breath, Lily walked toward him in her high heels.

"Happy now?" She lifted her chin, her voice sharp.

Alexander shook his head, disappointment flooding his eyes. "I just wanted to see the real you—the woman I've loved for years."

"See it now?" Lily sneered. "I'm not the sweet, innocent girl you imagined."

His familiar face now felt foreign. Alexander suddenly realized he'd been in love with an illusion.

"Why did it have to come to this?" His voice was hoarse.

"Because this is who I am." Lily met his gaze. "When I left the country after our breakup, it was because I knew we weren't right. Coming back was just self-deception."

Alexander's face paled instantly. The hesitation of the past few days finally had its answer.

"I see."

He turned and walked away, his retreating figure devoid of any lingering attachment.

Lily bit her lip hard. Even if she begged, history would repeat itself. It was better to let go.

Upstairs, cheerful music played, making her humiliation even more pronounced. She wouldn't forget tonight's disgrace.

At the Sullivan villa, Victoria Farley waited anxiously. The moment Isabella Jackson walked in with red, swollen eyes, she rushed forward.

"Isabella! Who hurt you?"

Isabella shook her head, but tears kept falling. "Mom, please don't ask..."

"Was it Evelyn?" Victoria's voice rose sharply.

"My sister..." Isabella sobbed. "The necklace Ethan bought in Seattle—I thought it was my birthday gift, but today..."

Victoria shot to her feet. "She even stole that from you?!"

"Don't..." Isabella grabbed her mother's hand. "I don't want to make things difficult for Ethan. Maybe... this is just fate."

Victoria wiped her daughter's tears away tenderly. "Silly girl, I'll make sure you get the happiness you deserve."

She patted Isabella's back, her eyes hardening with resolve. That usurper had overstayed her welcome in the Sullivan family. It was time for her to go.