Chapter 23
The guests’ stares burned into Evelyn’s back, but she remained unfazed.
She tilted her head toward Ethan, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “Your little sweetheart is about to cry. Aren’t you going to comfort her?”
Ethan’s eyes turned icy. “Evelyn, know your limits.”
She let out a soft laugh and fell silent.
Victoria stormed over, her face tight with undisguised loathing. “Making a scene in public—have you no shame?”
Evelyn emotionlessly pulled her wrist free from Ethan’s grip. “You should be saying that to Mr. Sullivan.”
“How dare you!” Victoria trembled with rage. “Do you even respect me as your mother?”
“Enough!” Charles slammed his cane against the floor. “All of you, silence!”
William quickly stepped in, ushering Ethan away with an apologetic smile.
Ethan tightened his grip on Evelyn’s wrist, making her wince.
“Mr. Sullivan,” she said in a low voice, “you have guests to attend to.”
His eyes burned with fury. “Run off again, and I won’t hesitate to announce our relationship to everyone here.”
“Fine,” she suddenly smiled. “Let them all see how the second Jackson sister seduced her sister’s fiancé.”
She yanked her hand free and walked away without looking back.
Ethan watched her slender figure retreat, his knuckles whitening from the force of his grip.
In a secluded corner of the garden, Evelyn finally exhaled—only for a maid to rush over. “Madam Sullivan requests your presence.”
Victoria’s slap came with a sharp whistle through the air.
Evelyn sidestepped, watching coldly as the woman stumbled.
“You ungrateful wretch!” Victoria shrieked. “You knew Isabella loves Ethan, yet you humiliated her on purpose!”
“Three years ago, when Ethan was paralyzed,” Evelyn enunciated each word, “where was your precious daughter?”
“She was young and foolish!” Victoria snapped. “Now that he’s recovered, what right do you have to cling to him?”
Evelyn suddenly laughed. “The right I earned when I saved Isabella’s life.”
“Without the Jacksons, you’re nothing!” Victoria jabbed a finger at her. “Don’t forget who pulled you out of that backwater village!”
Her nails dug into her palms as Evelyn heard her own icy reply: “Then I’ll go back to that village right now.”
