Chapter 47

Evelyn rose gracefully from her seat. The weight of countless stares pressed against her skin like invisible fingers.

Penelope's jaw dropped. "This must be some mistake, Victoria! How could Evelyn possibly win first place?" Her voice cracked with disbelief. "Everyone knows Cassandra is actually Zoe!"

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Cassandra hadn't denied being Zoe earlier - everyone had taken her silence as confirmation. But if Evelyn was the true winner... did that mean...?

Penelope's manicured nails dug into her palms. This couldn't be happening. Evelyn was just some nobody from the slums. How could she possibly be the legendary designer Zoe?

Victoria's perfect mask slipped for just a second. Her panicked eyes darted toward Nathaniel, who was staring at Evelyn with unsettling intensity.

Nathaniel watched as Evelyn stood from the second row. Her golden dress shimmered under the lights, making her skin glow like honey. There was a radiance about her he'd never seen before - her eyes sparkled, her smile held secrets.

This wasn't the meek, invisible woman he'd married. This version of Evelyn burned bright enough to hurt his eyes.

And if she was Zoe... that meant she'd deliberately rejected every one of his offers. The realization sent a hot spike of anger through his veins.

Evelyn walked toward the stage with her chin lifted, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. She paused beside the frozen Victoria. "Was this your idea of a surprise, Ms. Sinclair?" Her voice carried perfectly in the silent hall.

Victoria's fists clenched. "Congratulations on your... unexpected win."

"An apology would be more appropriate, don't you think?" Evelyn's tone was honey-sweet. "The Fleur International Design Competition prides itself on integrity. Mistakes like this undermine its credibility."

Victoria's eyes darkened. This little bitch was mocking her! But with all eyes on them, she forced a smile. "Our oversight will be properly addressed."

"Then perhaps you'd do me the honor of presenting the award?" Evelyn held Victoria's gaze, unblinking.

Victoria glanced desperately at Nathaniel. Surely he would intervene? Evelyn always obeyed him.

But Nathaniel remained stone-faced, his dark eyes locked on Evelyn with an expression Victoria couldn't read.

After a charged silence, Nathaniel spoke. "As the organizer's representative, it's your duty to present the award, Ms. Sinclair."

Victoria had no choice. She nodded stiffly, her smile brittle enough to shatter.

Evelyn turned away first, gathering her skirts as she ascended the stage. Three years. Three long years since she'd last stood here.

As Victoria handed her the trophy through gritted teeth, one of the judges called out, "Ms. Carter, your designs bear an uncanny resemblance to Zoe's signature style. Are we to understand you're one and the same?"

Evelyn's smile was enigmatic. "I wouldn't call myself renowned. I've been... absent from the scene for quite some time."

"Why did you disappear three years ago?" the judge pressed.

Evelyn felt the sudden intensity of Nathaniel's gaze like a physical touch. She turned slowly to meet his burning stare across the crowded room.