Chapter 266

Oliver Valrose clutched his bleeding nose, crimson droplets seeping between his fingers. His swollen eyes were bloodshot, all traces of his usual aristocratic charm gone.

"You're the one who invited me here!" He glared venomously at Evelyn Roland. "Stop pretending to be some innocent saint!"

Julian Roland's expression darkened. Another brutal punch landed on Oliver's face. The sickening crunch of bone made the guests gasp.

"A note?" Evelyn caught the key detail, stopping her brother mid-swing. "What note?"

Grimacing, Oliver yanked a crumpled paper from his pocket and hurled it at her.

The note arced through the air. Evelyn caught it effortlessly, unfolding it with deliberate slowness.

A soft laugh escaped her lips as she held it up. "Look at this smudged ink." Her slender fingers traced the paper. "Only sweaty palms could blur writing like this."

She suddenly spread her pristine hands under the lights—spotless. "This special ink stains on contact. Yet my hands—"

Whispers erupted before she could finish.

Oliver's face turned ashen. "A server gave it to me!" He jabbed a finger toward the crowd's edge. "Her!"

A uniformed figure was edging toward the exit. Julian moved like lightning, hauling her back like a ragdoll.

Isabella Langley stood beside Alexander Roland, nails digging into her palms. Her venomous gaze locked onto the trembling server.

She'd warned this wretch in the restroom last time...

"Who put you up to this?" Evelyn's voice was glacial.

The server shook like a leaf, head bowed.

"Silence?" Evelyn stepped closer. "Who do you fear more—the Roland heiress, or the adopted daughter?"

The words struck like daggers. The server's head jerked up, her eyes flickering to Isabella's bloodless face. "I-It was Miss Isabella Langley!"

Gasps filled the room.

Isabella staggered back, toppling a champagne tower. Amid shattering glass, she shrieked, "You lying snake!"

"Sister..." She turned tearful eyes to Evelyn. "She's clearly been bribed—"

Evelyn smiled faintly, unfolding the note again. "Notice the signature—just 'Roland.'"

Her gaze settled meaningfully on Isabella. "If you and Oliver are truly in love, why hide it? Father and Mother adore you. They'd never oppose this match."

Isabella stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.