Chapter 419

"I've made myself perfectly clear. Do I need to repeat it?" Evelyn's voice was icy, cutting through the tension like a blade.

For a moment, Victor Sterling thought he had misheard. "You!" he finally bellowed, his face turning crimson with rage. "Have you lost your mind? How dare you demand a divorce?"

Beside him, Lila Sinclair stiffened in shock. Had she heard correctly?

Evelyn Hartley—the woman who had once been utterly devoted to Nathan Black—was the one who had initiated the divorce? It seemed impossible. Lila was certain Evelyn was lying out of wounded pride.

Evelyn's voice sliced through the silence, sharp and unyielding. "Why shouldn’t I be the one to ask for a divorce?"

Victor’s expression twisted with fury, his self-control shattering. His words spilled out, venomous and cruel.

"Evelyn, you are nothing but an illegitimate child of this family. The fact that Mr. Black married you was the greatest stroke of luck you’ll ever have! With your pitiful background, you should be groveling in gratitude that he even looked at you! And yet, you have the audacity to demand a divorce? Who do you think you are? Know your place!"

The moment his tirade ended, silence descended—heavy and suffocating, both in the study and over the phone.

Evelyn clutched her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her heart felt as though it had been stabbed, her eyes burning with unshed tears. But she refused to let them fall.

Lila stared at Victor in disbelief. She had always known he was cold toward Evelyn, but hearing him lash out like this still stunned her.

After what felt like an eternity, Victor seemed to realize the weight of his words. His lips pressed into a thin line.

Just as he was about to speak, Evelyn’s voice cut through the silence. "Mr. Sterling," she said, her tone eerily calm, "am I truly your daughter?"

Victor froze. A flicker of unease passed through his eyes before his expression hardened again.

Within seconds, he regained his composure. "Evelyn, what kind of nonsense is this?" he snapped. "Now that you have the Caldwell family’s backing, you think you can discard your own father?"

Evelyn let out a derisive laugh at his baseless accusations. "I’ve never heard a father speak to his daughter the way you just did."

Victor took a sharp breath. "Evelyn, I demand you apologize to Mr. Black immediately! Tell him your decision was a mistake. Beg for his forgiveness and reconcile at once!"

Evelyn scoffed. "Mr. Sterling, my divorce from Nathan is final. Your approval—or lack thereof—changes nothing. If there’s nothing else, this conversation is over. And please, don’t contact me unless absolutely necessary."

She didn’t wait for his response before ending the call.

Emotions surged within her, dragging her spirits down like an anchor. But she refused to dwell on it. She had known for years that Victor held no affection for her. What kindness could she possibly expect from him now?

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn set down her phone and walked toward the bathroom. She reminded herself not to let the words of someone so insignificant wound her.

Yet, Victor’s cruel words echoed in her mind.

It wasn’t just him. Many saw her marriage to Nathan as a godsend for an illegitimate daughter like her. She was supposed to be grateful.

That was why everyone thought she had lost her mind when they learned she was the one who had asked for the divorce.