Chapter 192

"You dumped a bowl of soup on my mother, Victoria," Evelyn said coolly. "Now, I've poured coffee on you. Fair's fair. We're even."

Her voice was soft, yet each word cut like a blade, delivered with chilling precision.

"You—" Victoria sputtered, rage burning in her eyes as she raised her hand to strike.

But before the slap could land, Evelyn caught her wrist effortlessly.

Victoria's face twisted further, teeth clenched as she hissed, "Let go! Evelyn, release me this instant!"

Evelyn tightened her grip briefly before shoving Victoria back with deliberate force. The momentum sent Victoria stumbling, collapsing onto the sofa in an undignified heap.

"How dare you!" Victoria shrieked, scrambling up, chest heaving.

Evelyn merely returned to her seat, reclining with an air of indifference. Her icy gaze locked onto Victoria's.

"Victoria," she began, voice measured, "you should be grateful that soup wasn't boiling. If it had been..."

Her tone dropped, sharp as winter frost. "Then what I poured on you today wouldn't have been lukewarm coffee."

Victoria's glare didn't waver, though her fingers trembled as she snatched a napkin, dabbing at the sticky streaks on her face. Her breath came fast, shallow.

After a moment, she steadied herself, forcing a mocking laugh. "Oh, look at you now. The Caldwells have your back, so suddenly you think you're invincible."

Evelyn smirked, leaning forward. "If you know they support me, then take my advice—don't test me."

Victoria barked a laugh, eyes glinting with derision. "You really think the Caldwells care about you? If they did, why refuse Gregory's proposal? They know he's your uncle. Yet they didn't give him—or you—an ounce of consideration."

Evelyn's expression remained unreadable. She tilted her head slightly, lips curving. "Want to know why they refused him?"

Victoria's smirk faltered, uncertainty flickering across her face.

Evelyn's voice was soft, lethal. "When Gregory went to meet Marcus, Marcus told me immediately. He even asked if I wanted to hand you the project." Her gaze hardened. "I said no. So Marcus rejected him outright."

Victoria's face drained of color.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "That's impossible!"

Evelyn didn't blink. "Believe what you want. But remember this—cross me again, and next time, it won't just be coffee."

Victoria's hands clenched, but for the first time, fear flickered beneath her rage.