Chapter 415

Lila Sinclair couldn't suppress the smug satisfaction curling in her chest. Without the Black family's protection, how long could Evelyn Hartley keep up her haughty act? The thought alone made her lips curl into a smirk as she strolled toward the restroom, humming a carefree tune under her breath.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had just returned to the Caldwell residence after leaving the hospital. The moment she stepped inside, she found Cassandra Blake and Julian Montgomery in the living room, along with Olivia Sinclair and Ethan Caldwell.

"Evelyn, you're back!" Olivia exclaimed, immediately rising from the sofa the second she spotted her.

"Olivia," Evelyn greeted with a soft smile, moving toward her.

But Olivia's expression darkened the moment she noticed Evelyn's uneven gait. She rushed forward, concern etching deep lines across her forehead. "What happened to you?"

"Just a minor sprain. It's nothing serious," Evelyn dismissed lightly, waving a hand.

"You need to be more careful," Olivia chided, her voice laced with worry. She reached out, gently steadying Evelyn by the arm, her touch feather-light yet firm.

"Evelyn," Cassandra called out softly, her tone dripping with false sympathy. She hurried over as well, reaching for Evelyn's other arm as if eager to help.

"I'm fine, really," Evelyn insisted, subtly pulling away from Cassandra's grasp.

"Let us assist you," Cassandra murmured, her grip tightening just slightly. "It'll ease our minds."

Once seated on the sofa, Evelyn couldn't help but study Cassandra from the corner of her eye.

Though she had no concrete proof that Cassandra and Julian had drugged her that night, the suspicion clung to her like a second skin.

Cassandra met her gaze head-on, offering a saccharine smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her expression remained perfectly composed, betraying nothing.

After a while, Cassandra and Julian excused themselves politely.

The moment they were inside their car, Julian turned to Cassandra, his face grim. "Did you notice how Evelyn was looking at you? Do you think she suspects something?"

Cassandra didn’t so much as flinch. "What is there to worry about?" Her voice was steady, almost bored.

A slow, calculated smile curled her lips.

"Evelyn has nothing but baseless suspicions. That drug leaves no trace. No matter how hard she digs, she’ll find nothing."

That night, Cassandra had indeed tampered with Evelyn’s drink—not with an aphrodisiac, but with an experimental alcohol enhancer she’d procured from the black market. The effects had been more potent than she’d anticipated, confirming the drug’s strength.

But she hadn’t expected Evelyn’s extreme reaction after getting drunk. As a result, her plan with Julian had failed spectacularly.

"You’re right," Julian conceded with a stiff nod. Then, his expression darkened. "Looking back, it’s a good thing our plan didn’t succeed. Otherwise..."

Cassandra’s jaw clenched. "Who would’ve guessed Evelyn is Nathan Black’s wife?"