Chapter 210

Evelyn submitted her college assignments and met up with Sophia for some shopping. It had been ages since they last spent time together.

Sophia beamed at her. "Evelyn, I heard your neighborhood is getting demolished! You're about to become loaded! I'm thrilled for you!"

"Thanks," Evelyn replied with a small smile. "Honestly, I never saw it coming. But I doubt the compensation will be life-changing."

As they stepped into the mall, Evelyn's phone buzzed. It was Jonathan.

"Evelyn, where are you? I don't see you at the office."

"I'm out shopping with Sophia," she answered.

"Ah. How about dinner tonight? Bring your friend along."

She hesitated. "Jonathan, I already have plans with my family. My brother Harrison and his wife just got back from Nord City."

Only then did Jonathan drop the invitation.

The call ended, and Sophia nudged her. "Why’d you say no? It was Jonathan asking you out! Don’t worry about me—I wouldn’t have been a third wheel."

"Sophia, you know my situation," Evelyn sighed. "Jonathan would never accept a divorced woman, let alone one carrying her ex-husband’s child. No man would."

"You’re stuck in the past," Sophia insisted. "Jonathan’s a great guy with serious potential. Just think about it. Come on, let’s get our nails done. There’s a new salon that just opened."

Evelyn shook her head. "Not for me. The smell makes me nauseous." Pregnancy and nail salons didn’t mix.

They sat down inside anyway, and the overpowering stench of chemicals and perfume hit them instantly. Evelyn wrinkled her nose, glancing around—and then she froze.

There was only one person she knew who drowned herself in perfume like that.

Penelope.

Penelope’s heels clicked sharply as she sauntered over, lips curling in a smirk. "Evelyn, do you even know how much a manicure costs here? If you can’t afford it, maybe stick to discount salons. This place isn’t for people like you."

Sophia scoffed before Evelyn could respond. "Only someone as tacky as you would think a manicure is a status symbol. Then again, you do bathe in perfume like it’s water."

"Watch your mouth," Penelope snapped. "Broke girls like you should stick to coupon deals."

Sophia smirked. "Tightening your belt these days, aren’t you? Heard your cards got frozen. Maybe save the attitude for when you can actually pay your own bills."

Penelope’s face flushed with rage. "That’s your fault!"

The mention of money set her off. She lifted her chin defiantly. "Victoria gave me a card, actually. I can spend however I please. Her wedding gifts are beyond anything you’ll ever see."

She smirked. "Mrs. Whitmore spoils her rotten. I’m sure Victoria’s been handed plenty of assets—unlike you, scraping for crumbs and pretending you belong."

Sophia laughed. "You say that like it’s your money. Oh wait—it’s not. Why are you so proud of spending someone else’s cash?"

Penelope’s mouth opened, then shut. She turned back to Evelyn with a sneer. "The engagement party’s this weekend. Victoria’s brothers will all be there. Try not to be too jealous."