Chapter 31

The ten-million-dollar check gleamed coldly under the lights.

Evelyn Roland's lips curled into a mocking smile as she pushed the check back toward Sebastian Valdemar with a flick of her fingers.

"Quite generous of you, Mr. Valdemar."

Her gaze swept over Nathan Evans and Victoria Lowell, who were forcing smiles on the stage. Disgust simmered in her eyes.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, swirling his wine glass with long fingers. "Not enough?"

"Money is a wonderful thing," Evelyn said coldly. "But when spent on trash, even it becomes tainted."

The banquet hall buzzed with clinking glasses and laughter.

Victoria swayed through the crowd in stiletto heels, champagne flute in hand.

"Sister!"

The sickly sweet voice made Evelyn stiffen.

Before she could turn, icy liquid trickled down her neck and into her collar.

"Oh no!" Victoria gasped, feigning shock. "My hand slipped."

The sheer blouse turned transparent, clinging to Evelyn's skin.

All eyes turned toward them.

Victoria's eyes gleamed with triumph, though her face remained the picture of innocence. "You're not angry with me, are you?"

Evelyn paused.

Slowly, she untied the silk scarf from her hair, letting her dark locks cascade down to cover her damp back.

"Careless today, aren't we?" she murmured with a smile. "Perhaps the engagement has left you too excited to walk straight?"

Victoria's face froze.

A few knowing chuckles rose from the guests.

Nathan appeared just in time. "Victoria, didn't you prepare a spare dress for Evelyn?"

His gaze lingered on Evelyn's figure, his Adam's apple bobbing.

In the dressing room, Evelyn had just undone her buttons when the lock clicked.

"Leave the towel outside," she said.

But the footsteps grew closer.

She whirled around to meet a pair of hungry eyes.

"Evelyn..." Nathan locked the door behind him. "I've missed you."

His breath came fast, his collar damp with sweat.

"Get out," Evelyn hissed, clutching her collar.

Nathan ignored her, advancing step by step. "I know you still love me—"

Before he could finish, she drove her knee upward with brutal force.

"Ah!"

Nathan crumpled to the floor with a howl.

Evelyn seized his hair and slammed his head against the wall.

"That," she said through gritted teeth, "was for the girl I used to be."

Blood trickled down the wall.