Chapter 188

Evelyn Carter glared at Walter and Beverly Simmons with fire in her eyes. "Over my dead body! I'd rather be homeless than give you a single penny!"

"Mind your tone, girl!" Walter's face twisted with rage, his fists clenching. "You think I won't slap you right here?"

Jonathan Reeves moved like lightning, seizing Walter's collar. "Go ahead. Make my day."

The office erupted as male colleagues formed a protective circle around Evelyn, while female coworkers flanked her sides. The air crackled with tension.

"Let me educate you on basic law," a sharp-voiced colleague snapped at Beverly. "Child abuse is a felony. Evelyn could have you arrested for what you did to her."

"Disgusting parasites," another woman muttered. "Coming here to extort money from their own daughter."

Outnumbered, the Simmons couple retreated several steps.

Beverly planted her hands on her hips, her voice shrill. "This isn't over, Evelyn Carter! We'll be back!"

As the door slammed behind them, Evelyn turned to her colleagues with watery eyes. "I... I don't know how to thank you all. Coffee's on me today."

Jonathan flashed his trademark charming smile. "Don't mention it. Those vultures were clearly trouble. But how will you handle this? They won't stop harassing you."

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes. "That's why I'm resigning."

"Absolutely not." Jonathan's voice turned serious. "If it's money you need—"

"It's not about money." Evelyn shook her head firmly. "If I give in now, they'll bleed me dry forever."

She knew her adoptive parents' nature all too well - like sharks scenting blood in water.

Jonathan snapped his fingers. "Then fake your resignation! Come back when they stop lurking around."

"Jonathan..." Guilt twisted Evelyn's stomach. He'd gone above and beyond for her too many times already.

The office drama had left her emotionally drained, shame burning in her chest.

"Hey, that's what friends are for." Jonathan winked, sparking giggles from nearby coworkers. "Anytime you need help, just call."

Evelyn managed a small smile before heading out for coffee orders.

Her phone buzzed with an unknown number. "Hello?"

"Evelyn, did your lovely parents pay you a visit?" The smug female voice dripped with malice.

Evelyn's grip tightened on the phone. "Penelope Whitmore. You told them where I worked."

How else would they have found her? This had Nathaniel's scheming cousin written all over it.

"Listen carefully," Penelope hissed. "If you want peace, tell Nathaniel to unfreeze my accounts."

Evelyn's laugh held no humor. "A sincere apology might've worked, Penelope. I could've spoken to Nathaniel on your behalf."

"APOLOGY?" Penelope's shriek nearly shattered Evelyn's eardrum. "You delusional little—"

"My thoughts exactly." Evelyn ended the call and blocked the number with practiced ease.

She spent the day buried in textbooks at the university library, grateful for the temporary peace.

Jonathan called later. "They came sniffing around again. I told them you quit and owed the company damages." His chuckle was rich with satisfaction. "You should've seen them scramble away like roaches."

Evelyn's laughter bubbled up unexpectedly. Leave it to Jonathan to outsmart them.

As twilight painted the sky, her phone buzzed again. Evelyn frowned at the unfamiliar caller ID. Why would this person be contacting her now?