Chapter 183

Victoria's nails dug deep into her palms as tears welled in her eyes. "Isabella, your father said...he'll divorce me if I don't apologize to Evelyn."

Isabella's pupils constricted violently. The teacup in her hand nearly slipped. "What?!"

"After all these years of sacrifice for this family, he actually..." Victoria's voice broke with sobs.

"Don't worry, Mom." Isabella grasped her mother's trembling hands, shadows flickering in her eyes. "I'll handle this."

Victoria jerked her head up, defiance burning in her gaze. "I'll never bow to that bitch!"

"If it comes to that..." Isabella soothed softly, her fist clenching unseen behind her back.

Back in her room, Isabella swept all the bottles and jars off her vanity. The realization that Ethan would reject her pleas yet make exceptions for Evelyn cut like a knife.

She stared at her phone screen, lips curling into a cold smile.

"Ethan, remember those three wishes you owe me?"

Silence stretched for several seconds before his response came. "I remember."

"For my first wish..." Her crimson lips parted, each word dripping venom. "I want you to break up with Evelyn immediately."

Ethan's breath hitched audibly.

"Fine." The single word sounded wrenched from between gritted teeth.

Hanging up, Isabella studied her twisted reflection in the mirror. This game was hers to win.

......

Dawn light filtered through the curtains as Evelyn's phone screen illuminated.

She opened the file sent by the black-profile contact, fingers flying across the screen. A cold laugh escaped her when "Brocade" appeared in the text.

The ping of a bank transfer coincided with Zoe's voice calling from downstairs. "Evelyn, come quick!"

Tucking away her phone, Evelyn padded barefoot across the cold floorboards. Outside the window, an unexpected figure stood in the courtyard.