Chapter 181

Evelyn Sullivan and Zoe Zade lounged on the sofa in the villa's living room, cracking sunflower seeds between their fingers.

A melodramatic soap opera played on the TV. Suddenly, Zoe tossed the remote onto the coffee table with a clatter.

"That ex-husband of yours has impeccable timing. Showing up right after your parents made a scene—what a performance of devotion."

She rolled her eyes and grabbed another handful of seeds.

Evelyn's fingers stilled. The shells pattered into the dish like dry rain.

"I'm going to shower."

As she stood, the doorbell rang.

Ethan Sullivan stood on the doorstep, his expression storm-dark.

"William came here?"

Colin Keller shrank back half a step.

"Mr. Sullivan, I delivered your message exactly as instructed—"

Ethan turned toward William Jackson, each step heavy with menace.

"I made myself perfectly clear yesterday."

His voice could have frozen hell.

"If you invite me to dinner, my wife comes with me."

Beads of sweat formed on William's forehead. He retreated instinctively.

"Mr. Sullivan, we called—"

"So you thought that gave you the right to harass her?"

Ethan's sudden shout sent sparrows scattering from the trees.

William's face drained of color. His lips trembled.

"Those projects—"

"Were approved solely out of respect for my wife."

The words landed like a slap across the Jacksons' faces.

Isabella Jackson jerked her head up, nails biting into her palms.

Victoria Farley seized her daughter's wrist.

"You lied to me?!"

Her voice rose to a shrill, unrecognizable pitch.

Ethan watched the spectacle with icy detachment.

"One month."

He yanked the car door open, his tone lethal.

"If my wife doesn't forgive you, those projects terminate immediately."

The black sedan roared away, leaving three figures stranded in the night wind.

Victoria wrenched free of Isabella's grip, eyes blazing.

"I paid ten million! For nothing but your lies?!"

Isabella bit down hard on her lip. The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth.