Chapter 234

"No, Evelyn, you're the lead designer for this event. Your presence is essential to supervise the engagement venue."

Jonathan's voice was firm through the phone.

"Besides, Ms. Sinclair specifically requested to thank you in person."

"You have to come. Otherwise, we won't be able to manage things properly on our end," he insisted.

Evelyn bit her lip, scrambling for an excuse—but nothing came to mind.

"Evelyn," Jonathan pressed, "have you met Ms. Sinclair before? Or is there some kind of history between you two?"

"No," she lied quickly. "I don’t know her."

She had no intention of dredging up the past. Not when it could unravel everything she’d built since then.

With a reluctant sigh, she gave in. "Fine. I’ll go to the venue tomorrow and oversee the setup."

"Good. Just make sure you’re there early. Don’t be late." Jonathan’s tone softened slightly. "Get some rest."

The moment the call ended, Evelyn’s grip on her phone tightened.

Victoria.

That scheming, manipulative—

Of course she was doing this on purpose. That was the only reason Jonathan had been so insistent.

If Evelyn refused, it would raise questions. But attending? Watching her ex-husband pledge his future to her, in a venue she designed?

The thought alone made her stomach twist.

Needing an outlet, she opened a social media app and typed:

"Wedding designer here. Just got assigned to my ex-husband’s engagement—to the woman he left me for. Now she’s demanding I attend tomorrow. Can’t refuse without risking my job. What do I do? Desperate for advice!"

She hit post, expecting nothing.

Within minutes, the replies flooded in.

"Bring a ‘gift.’ Something memorable. Like a funeral wreath."

"Oh honey, this is evil. I love it. Update us!"

"Honestly? Show up looking flawless and pretend you don’t care. That’ll hurt them more than anything."

Evelyn’s lips curved at one particularly upvoted suggestion.

Funeral wreath.

The venue was already decked in flowers. A few white chrysanthemums wouldn’t look out of place.

She immediately placed an order—wreath included.

If Victoria wanted a spectacle, Evelyn would give her one.

If she couldn’t have peace, neither would they.

Her hand drifted to her stomach. Then, with a deep breath, she turned off the lights and forced herself to sleep.

The next morning, Evelyn woke before dawn, nerves humming.

For the first time in her life, she was about to do something wild.

Margaret was already in the living room when Evelyn emerged. "You’re up early," she remarked.

"Work," Evelyn said simply, avoiding further explanation.

As she left, she called the florist to confirm the "gift" would arrive precisely during the ceremony’s climax.

She knew the schedule by heart. She’d designed it, after all.

Now, she had nothing left to lose.

Checking her work group chat, she saw the team already buzzing with updates from the venue.

Then, as she stepped out of her building—

Walter and Beverly stood blocking her path.

"Evelyn," Walter snarled. "You’re not going anywhere until you hand over that money."