Chapter 229

The private dining room was thick with suffocating tension.

Zoe Zade and Lucas Laurier exchanged forced small talk, attempting to lighten the mood. Ethan Sullivan and Evelyn Sullivan sat like two icebergs, silently eating without so much as glancing at each other.

Lucas stole a glance at Ethan and nearly laughed. The man had dropped everything to rush here the moment he heard Evelyn was coming, yet now pretended complete indifference.

Typical stubbornness.

When the bill arrived, Zoe and Lucas tactfully excused themselves first. Evelyn lingered behind, maintaining a careful three-step distance from Ethan.

At the corner near the exit, Ethan suddenly stopped.

"I apologize for this afternoon," he said, his voice low. "I won't interfere with your choices again."

Evelyn arched a brow. An apology? From him?

"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Sullivan. I didn't give it a second thought."

"Evelyn!" A shrill shriek cut through the air.

Victoria Farley and Isabella Jackson stood nearby, faces twisted in shock. Victoria trembled with rage while Isabella glared daggers at Evelyn.

"What are you doing here?" Victoria demanded.

Evelyn gave them a frosty once-over. "None of your business."

Isabella quickly steadied Victoria, feigning concern. "Sister, I know you're working as a temp for the design competition. This place is expensive—are you..."

"You're working here?!" Victoria exploded. "Quit immediately! You're embarrassing the Jackson family!"

Evelyn smirked. Isabella's knife twisted so smoothly behind her mother's back.

Before she could retort, a tall figure stepped between them.

"Let's see who dares lay a finger on my wife," Ethan said, his voice glacial.

Victoria and Isabella paled.

"Ethan..." Isabella's eyes welled with tears. "You said you were busy today."

"Since when do I report my schedule to you?"

Isabella went sheet-white. Evelyn, however, laughed.

"Mr. Sullivan, we're divorced," she enunciated clearly. "Stop meddling in my affairs."

The words detonated like a bomb. Victoria and Isabella gaped in disbelief.

Ethan's aura turned murderous. "Evelyn!"

"I'll play along for Grandma's sake, but there's no need to act in front of them, is there?" Evelyn's lips curled in mockery. "The whole city knows you and Isabella are the real couple."

She turned to leave, but Ethan yanked her back.

The private room door slammed shut behind them.

Ethan pinned her against the door, his eyes dark with stormy fury.

"Are you that desperate to cut ties with me?"