Chapter 18

The penthouse elevator doors slid open, and Nathan stepped inside, shrugging off his suit jacket. His phone buzzed—another message from Lila. He ignored it, tossing the device onto the couch.

Across the city, Evelyn stared at her own screen, Natalie’s words echoing in her mind. A notification flashed: Security Alert: Unauthorized Access Attempt – Sterling Mansion.

Her blood ran cold.

Someone was trying to break into the place that had just rejected her.

And she had a terrifying suspicion who it might be.

Natalie let out a soft sigh, relief washing over her delicate features. "At least you finally see the truth now."

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she tilted her head. "Did anything... unusual happen when you visited the Sterling mansion? Did anyone act strangely when they found out about the hormone medication causing your weight issues?"

Evelyn shook her head, her dark curls swaying. "Their reactions were carefully controlled. But I've struggled with my weight since I was a child. Even if it's true that someone gave me those pills without my knowledge, it's unlikely the Sterlings were behind it. Still... I can't ignore the possibility that someone in that house knows more than they're letting on."

Natalie nodded thoughtfully, her manicured nails tapping against her glass. "True. You only discovered Victor was your biological father at seventeen, and you moved into the Sterling estate after that. Who would target a child like that? It couldn't have been your mother, right?"

Evelyn shot her a dry look.

Natalie quickly laughed, waving a hand. "Kidding! Grace adores you. Everyone knows that."

It was true. Grace loved Evelyn fiercely—but she was also painfully submissive to Victor, treating his word as law. Whenever Victor punished Evelyn, Grace could only weep and beg on her behalf.

Natalie's expression turned serious. "Uncovering something buried for over twenty years won't be easy, but secrets always leave traces. We'll find the truth."

"I know," Evelyn replied, her voice steady.

Then, shifting gears, Natalie arched a brow. "So... you're really going through with the divorce from Nathan?"

Evelyn scoffed at the mention of his name, her lips curling in disdain. "Nathan and I ended three years ago."

Natalie sighed, swirling her drink. "Probably for the best. That marriage brought you more misery than joy. A relationship that only leaves you lonely isn't worth clinging to. Look at you now—gorgeous, successful, with your pick of anyone you want. Why waste another thought on someone like Nathan?"

"Exactly." Evelyn raised her glass with a dazzling smile. "To new beginnings."

After finishing their drinks, they hit the dance floor.

Evelyn and Natalie immediately became the center of attention, their beauty and confidence magnetic. At first, others danced around them, but soon, the two women commanded the space entirely.

Evelyn, in particular, was mesmerizing—her movements fluid, her elegance effortless. Every flick of her hair, every sway of her hips held the crowd captive.

Nathan watched from the shadows, his jaw tightening as he observed his wife—still legally his wife—dancing like she hadn’t a care in the world.

Did she really think she could just move on?