Chapter 185

A sharp pang of pain pricked at Evelyn Roland's chest.

She remembered with perfect clarity—this necklace had been a gift from Sebastian Valdemar's mother, as Olivia Valdemar herself had declared.

Evelyn took a deep breath, forcing down the surge of emotions. Her lab coat lay discarded over the chair. Rubbing her temples, she turned and walked into the laboratory's break room.

The next morning.

Dawn had barely broken when Evelyn awoke. With only a few finishing touches left on her design sketches, she washed up quickly and headed straight to CH Jewelry Inc.

At a nearby café, Vanessa Valrose sipped her latte leisurely. A familiar figure flashed past the window.

Wait—was that Evelyn?

Vanessa slammed down her cup and rushed outside. But the street was already empty.

For the next few days, Vanessa camped outside CH Jewelry like a paparazzo. When Evelyn appeared again, she snapped a photo instantly.

"Got you," Vanessa smirked, her fingers flying across her phone as she typed a message.

"Isabella! Guess what juicy scoop I just uncovered!"

Inside a shopping mall, Isabella Langley's phone buzzed incessantly. Her pupils dilated as she opened the message.

The photo clearly showed Evelyn entering and exiting CH Jewelry.

"Cousin, you're amazing!" Isabella replied, barely containing her excitement before dialing a number.

Dinnertime.

Isabella's gaze clung to Evelyn like a venomous snake. Sensing the hostility, Evelyn frowned slightly.

"Dad. Mom." Isabella suddenly stood, her voice dripping with feigned hesitation.

Every head at the table turned.

Evelyn scoffed and continued eating gracefully. What drama was this woman concocting now?

"I... I just think it's unfair to Alexander," Isabella said, throwing a挑衅 look at Evelyn.

She pulled a stack of photos from her bag and slammed them onto the table.

The images unmistakably captured Evelyn's comings and goings at CH Jewelry.

The air in the dining room froze.

"Isn't my sister a designer?" Isabella pretended to be heartbroken. "With our family's company struggling, why is she spending all her time at a competitor?"

Edward Roland's face paled as he stared at the photos.

"Evelyn, what is this...?" Sophia Roland trailed off, her expression unreadable.

"How could our family raise such a traitor?" Isabella fanned the flames. "While Alexander works late every night, you—"

A glacial glare cut her off mid-sentence.

Evelyn's eyes were sharp as daggers.

"What exactly do you mean by this, sister?" Isabella forced a defiant tone. "Did I say something wrong?"

Hah. Let's see you talk your way out of this one!