Chapter 52
Evelyn Sullivan whirled around, her gaze sharp as a blade.
“What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Sullivan?”
Ethan Sullivan tapped the steering wheel with his long fingers, his voice icy. “Have dinner with me, and the Jackson family’s deal is yours.”
Evelyn suddenly laughed, though the smile never reached her eyes.
“Generous of you, Mr. Sullivan. A single meal in exchange for a business deal?”
She leaned forward slightly, her red lips curling in a mocking smirk.
“Plenty of people in the Jackson family would jump at the chance to please you. Why not ask them?”
Pushing the car door open, Evelyn strode away without a backward glance.
“Evelyn!” Ethan’s voice chased after her. “If Sophia keeps making trouble, Alexander won’t let it go.”
Evelyn halted mid-step, her nails digging into her palms.
“So?” She turned, fury blazing in her eyes. “Should the weak just roll over and take it?”
Ethan frowned. “Do you really want this to end in mutual destruction?”
She scoffed. “You’re on Alexander’s side—fine. But don’t expect me to back down.”
“Alexander is willing to compensate, and Lily has agreed to apologize. What more do you want?”
That dress had taken countless sleepless nights to design.
Every stitch, every thread had carried her blessings for Sophia.
“If it were Isabella’s dress that got ruined, would you still be this calm?”
Ethan’s silence cut deeper than any blade.
“Of course. In your eyes, I’ll never measure up to her.” Her voice trembled. “Just because I loved you once, I deserve to be trampled on?”
The words “loved you” made Ethan’s eyes darken instantly.
“What will it take for you to stop this?”
Evelyn looked at him and suddenly felt exhausted.
“Ask Sophia.”
She walked away, her back unyielding.
That night, Evelyn returned directly to Northville Villa.
Without Ethan around, even the air felt fresher.
A week later, Sophia showed up at her door.
“Evelyn, Alexander sent someone to negotiate.”
Evelyn handed her a cup of tea. “What do you think?”
“Honestly… I just want an apology.” Sophia twisted her fingers together.
“Then do what feels right.” Evelyn took a sip. “But make sure she remembers the lesson.”
Sophia’s eyes lit up. “I want her to apologize publicly on the Times Square LED screen!”
“Not a bad idea.”
Sophia suddenly hugged her. “I’m sorry… It’s all my fault for losing Serendipity…”
Evelyn patted her back. “Out with the old, in with the new. Make her pay for it.”
“You’re the best, Evelyn!”
Meanwhile, a loud crash echoed through the King family mansion.
“What?! A public apology in Times Square?!” Lily White shattered the last vase, her perfectly made-up face contorted with rage.
