Chapter 22
Isabella’s cheeks flushed pink as she nodded softly. “Alright.”
She glided toward the car, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Ethan, everyone’s waiting for you.”
Inside the vehicle, Evelyn was trapped in Ethan’s iron grip. The saccharine tone sent a shiver down her spine, goosebumps rising on her arms.
“Ethan~” she drawled, mimicking Isabella’s sickly-sweet voice. “Your little sweetheart is pining for you outside. Aren’t you going to let me go?”
Ethan’s brow furrowed, his voice low and warning. “Evelyn, drop the act.”
“How can I speak properly when you’re crushing my wrist?” She arched a brow defiantly.
He abruptly released her, his tone icy. “Get out.”
Evelyn pushed the door open. Isabella’s eager expression froze the moment she saw her, her face draining of color.
“What are you doing here?!”
Evelyn’s red lips curved. “You seem surprised to see me, little sister.”
The Jackson family’s expressions darkened instantly. Victoria’s glare could have flayed her alive—this wretched girl was stealing Isabella’s spotlight again!
Ethan stepped out from the other side and casually took Evelyn’s hand.
She tried to pull away discreetly, but his grip only tightened.
“Are you insane?” she hissed under her breath. “Everyone’s watching!”
“Since when is holding my wife’s hand a crime?”
Their seemingly intimate gesture sent shockwaves through the crowd.
“I thought Ethan was into Isabella. Why is he so close to Evelyn?”
“Three years apart must have killed the spark.”
“Isabella was just bragging about Ethan coming. This is so humiliating!”
Isabella’s nails dug into her palms as the whispers cut deep. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at Ethan. “How could you do this to me?”
With that, she covered her face and fled.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. What a masterful retreat—playing the victim in just a few words.
Truly a world-class manipulator.
