Chapter 7

"Fled?" Evelyn Hartley's lips curled into a mocking smile as if she'd just heard the most absurd joke.

She met Nathan Black's gaze head-on, her emerald eyes flashing with undisguised scorn. "You're the one who stood me up that day, Nathan. You set the time, then changed it last minute. Did you expect me to wait around like some obedient puppy? Newsflash—you're not that special."

The venom in Evelyn's voice made Nathan's jaw tighten visibly.

As his expression darkened, she cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Save your breath, Mr. Black. The divorce is happening. Ten o'clock sharp at the courthouse tomorrow."

Turning on her heel, she paused mid-step and threw him one last scathing look over her shoulder. "Do try to be punctual this time. Unlike you, I value my time."

The click of her stilettos echoed through the hallway as she walked away without a backward glance.

Rounding the corner, Evelyn pressed a trembling hand against the wall, her carefully constructed composure cracking. Beneath the icy facade, her pulse raced like a trapped bird.

After steadying her breathing, she smoothed her dress and reentered the ballroom—only to be met with chaos.

"Mr. Patel! Someone help!"

"Raj! Stay with me!"

"Call 911 now!"

A panicked crowd parted as a figure rushed past Evelyn toward the commotion's epicenter.

Raj Patel, a distinguished businessman, lay sprawled on the marble floor, his face turning an alarming shade of purple as he gasped for air.

Nathan was already kneeling beside him when Evelyn arrived.

"Nathan!" Priya Sharma, Raj's distraught wife, clutched at Nathan's sleeve like a lifeline.

"Stay calm, Mrs. Sharma," Nathan said in that infuriatingly composed voice. "Marcus—fetch Dr. Donovan immediately!"

"Make way!" Evelyn's commanding voice cut through the hysteria as she pushed forward.

Her couture gown restricted movement, so without hesitation, she ripped the delicate fabric up to her thighs and dropped to her knees beside the gasping man.

With practiced efficiency, she tore open Raj's collar and pressed two fingers to his throat. "Ethan!" she barked at the nearest familiar face. "Emergency kit. Now!"

As Ethan Caldwell sprinted away, Evelyn addressed the gawking crowd. "Everyone back! He needs oxygen!"

Her sharp tone sent guests stumbling backward, creating a clearing around the scene.

Raj's lips were turning blue when Evelyn tilted his head back—just as his body went terrifyingly limp.