Chapter 173

Sophia slammed her palm against the bathroom sink, sending icy droplets splashing onto her face.

"I can't swallow this insult!"

She whirled around and stormed out of the restroom, her stilettos clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Evelyn Sullivan leaned against the railing, her fingers gliding swiftly across her phone screen. The moment she sent Vanessa Cruz's message, she locked her phone and lifted her gaze to the massive advertisement hanging in the mall atrium.

The plagiarism scandal loomed like a ticking time bomb, threatening to obliterate MY Fashion Group at any moment.

"Evelyn Sullivan!"

A shrill voice sliced through the air.

Evelyn turned slowly to see Victoria Farley striding toward her, Isabella Jackson clinging to her arm. The luxury shopping bag in Isabella's hand gleamed under the lights, its prominent logo impossible to miss.

Victoria closed the distance in quick strides, her meticulously groomed brows furrowed in anger.

"Too busy to see us yesterday, but now you have time to shop?"

Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Mrs. Farley, you never even fulfilled your duty as a mother. What right do you have to demand anything from me?"

Victoria's crimson-nailed fingers clenched into fists.

"We took you back into the Jackson family at sixteen. Did we ever deprive you of food or clothes? Did you lack anything Isabella had?"

Evelyn studied Victoria's twisted expression and found it almost laughable.

"Are you done?"

She turned to leave, but Victoria seized her wrist.

"When are you filing for divorce?"

Evelyn's gaze flicked to Isabella's suddenly pale face. A soft chuckle escaped her.

"In such a hurry to take my place?"

Isabella's lips trembled.

"Ethan doesn't love you..."

"Did he tell you that himself?"

"Everyone can see it!"

Evelyn nodded, her eyes filled with pity.

"So not only are you a scheming little snake, but you're also blind."

Victoria's shriek drew stares from passersby.

"Divorce him now, or you'll regret it!"

Evelyn leisurely extracted her wrist from Victoria's grip.

"Who was it that publicly disowned me at the press conference? What gives you the right to order me around now?"

Victoria shook with rage.

"Pay back every cent the Jacksons spent on you!"

Evelyn's expression turned glacial.

"Fine. Let Isabella vomit up my bone marrow first."

Victoria staggered back a step, and Isabella hurried to steady her.

"Mom, she's just confused right now..."

"She's an ungrateful wretch!" Victoria spat through gritted teeth. Then she turned to Isabella. "Your father wants to invite Ethan to dinner. You'll go personally."

Isabella nodded obediently, a glimmer of triumph flashing in her eyes.