Chapter 76

Victoria Sinclair left the office with the thermal scan, a sly grin curling her lips as she thought, Evelyn Carter, you don’t stand a chance against me.

She would persuade Julian Montgomery by any means necessary to perform the surgery on Eleanor Whitmore. This was the only way to eliminate Evelyn for good.

Nathaniel Whitmore rubbed his temples in frustration after reviewing the documents in his office.

He called out to Robert Chambers. "Transfer the remaining payment to her."

Robert immediately handled the matter. Then, he placed a takeout container on the table.

"Mr. Whitmore, it's time for lunch."

Nathaniel set the documents aside and walked toward the coffee table.

When he saw the contents of the container, his expression darkened instantly.

"What is this?"

"Beef stew. I thought it was your favorite?"

Nathaniel was immediately reminded of Evelyn’s earlier words.

Irritated, he massaged his temples and snapped, "Never bring this dish to me again!"

Just as Evelyn arrived at her studio, her phone buzzed with a bank notification.

After counting the digits, she confirmed the remaining eight hundred thousand dollars had been deposited into her account.

She had assumed Nathaniel wouldn’t pay her—not after she’d called him a masochist.

This was unexpected.

Had she misjudged him? Despite his infidelity, was he actually decent?

Cassandra Blake stepped out of the office and sneered, "Evelyn, where’s the rest of the payment? We’ve been waiting."

Jonathan Reeves stood nearby and added lightly, "No rush. Take your time."

Evelyn waved her phone with a smirk. "Sorry to disappoint, but the payment’s already here."

Jonathan smiled. "I knew you’d pull it off, Evelyn."

Cassandra’s face twisted with fury at his support.

"Of course it was easy for you. I heard you got very cozy with the mansion’s owner during the supervision."

Jonathan’s expression hardened. "Cassandra, watch your words."

"What’s wrong? Can’t she handle the truth?"

Evelyn laughed.

She met Cassandra’s glare. "Jealous? I heard you volunteered to supervise a certain rich, handsome client—only to get kicked out."

Cassandra’s face paled.

"You’re lying!"

"Oh? I have the housekeeper’s number. Want me to confirm?"

Enraged, Cassandra lunged to slap her. Evelyn caught her wrist and shoved her back instead.

"Evelyn Carter! How dare you?"

"You started it. And the security cameras caught everything."

Cassandra trembled with fury before whirling toward Jonathan.

"Jonathan, you saw what she did!"

He quickly pulled her into the office and shot Evelyn a look.

"Evelyn, you can leave early today."

Evelyn didn’t linger. After packing her things, she left.

Nathaniel’s words about Eleanor’s condition lingered in her mind.

At home, she mentioned it to Margaret Dawson.

Margaret sighed. "Go. Mrs. Whitmore was always kind to you these past three years."

Evelyn packed lightly—just a few clothes for the two-day stay.

Her gaze landed on the folic acid pills in the drawer. She grabbed the bottle and tossed it into her bag. Nathaniel had already seen it once; he wouldn’t question it again.

After dinner, she took a cab to the marital home.

The moment she stepped inside, her stomach dropped.

Eleanor and Beatrice Harrington sat on the couch.

Eleanor wasn’t supposed to be here yet.

Oh no.