Chapter 187

Beverly's dramatic outburst made Evelyn lower her voice to a barely audible whisper. "We should take this conversation outside."

"Absolutely not!" Beverly declared loudly. "Let's settle this right here in front of all your fancy coworkers. I want them to know exactly why you're refusing to help your own family. Remember who took you in when you were starving in that orphanage? We gave you a home!"

Walter played his part perfectly, nodding along as he addressed the gathered colleagues. "We've spent our entire savings raising this girl. Now when we need help, she turns her back on us."

Evelyn's icy gaze locked onto her so-called parents. "You never paid a single cent for my education."

Beverly let out an exaggerated wail. "How can you say such things? Who else would have paid for your schooling? You won scholarships and now have this fancy job, but you won't share a penny with your own family!"

The commotion drew Jonathan from his office, his brow furrowed in concern. "What's happening here?"

Seizing the opportunity, Beverly launched into her performance. "You must be Evelyn's boss. Does she make good money? As her legal guardians, her salary should be going directly to us."

The sheer audacity almost made Evelyn laugh aloud. She'd never encountered such shameless behavior in her life.

Her adoptive parents always managed to redefine the boundaries of disgrace.

Jonathan studied them carefully. "You're claiming to be Evelyn's adoptive parents?"

"That's right," Walter confirmed. "We sacrificed everything to raise her, and this is how she repays us. We need that money to save a life. You should hand over her earnings immediately."

A cold laugh escaped Jonathan's lips. "Hand over her salary? On what legal grounds? You're making outrageous demands!"

Both Evelyn and Walter froze, unprepared for Jonathan's sharp rebuttal.

Jonathan continued mercilessly, "From what I understand, it was Margaret Dawson who raised Evelyn and funded her education. Her so-called adoptive parents relegated her to servant status the moment they had their own biological child."

He stepped closer to Evelyn's defense. "If not for Margaret's kindness, who knows where Evelyn might have ended up. How dare you show your faces here demanding money?"

Beverly and Walter exchanged uneasy glances, their carefully constructed facade cracking under Jonathan's scrutiny.

Dropping all pretense, Beverly revealed her true nature. "I don't care about any of that! We raised her, so she owes us. Either she pays up, or we'll take this to court. We've got nothing to lose."

Walter added his own threat: "If we don't get that money, we'll camp outside your precious studio every day. We'll pitch a tent right in your lobby. Let's see who lasts longer."

To emphasize their point, Beverly dramatically collapsed onto the floor. "Actually, this office isn't bad. Spacious, well-lit, air-conditioned... much better than our shack back home."

Even Jonathan seemed taken aback by their brazen behavior.

Evelyn, long accustomed to their antics, remained composed. She turned to Jonathan with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry for causing another scene, Jonathan. I'll submit my resignation immediately."

If she left the studio, her adoptive parents would have no reason to cause trouble there.

Jonathan's frown deepened. "Evelyn, you need to reconsider this decision carefully."

Beverly immediately interjected, "Why would you quit such a good job, Evelyn? Our whole family depends on you! You can't resign - you need to work harder than ever!"