Chapter 186

Evelyn's flawless features were accentuated by theatrical makeup that perfectly complemented her costume. With deliberate grace, she turned to face the audience, her slender frame moving like liquid poetry. Those mesmerizing feline eyes held the entire room captive.

Her performance was nothing short of magical - every note, every movement casting a spell over the glittering crowd.

Nathan's gaze remained transfixed, an unreadable emotion flickering in his dark eyes. The distance between them felt like centuries, like he'd need to cross dimensions of time and emotion to reach the radiant woman commanding the stage.

Each subtle expression that crossed Evelyn's face sent Nathan's world tilting off its axis.

"Evelyn? Could that truly be Evelyn?!"

Reginald nearly leaped from his seat, fingers digging into the armrests. "Yes! That's my dear Evelyn! Look at those delicate features - that's my girl!"

The mention of her delicate features made Nathan slump back suddenly, his temples throbbing with sudden pain. Memories flickered at the edges of his consciousness like half-remembered dreams.

"Nathan? Are you unwell?" Julian noticed his friend's pallor and leaned in with concern.

"It's nothing." Nathan massaged his temples as fragments of the past surfaced. Why did Evelyn's name trigger such visceral recognition? As if their souls had met long before their lives intersected.

Reginald requested "O mio babbino caro" - Evelyn's signature piece.

In happier times, Evelyn would visit Reginald with costume trunks, performing short arias to lift his spirits. She still remembered how the old man had wept openly when she first sang for him, transported back to cherished moments with his beloved Margaret.

Margaret Blackwood had been a legendary prima donna, with Reginald as her most devoted admirer. Their love story defied aristocratic conventions, becoming the stuff of legend - exactly the kind of love Evelyn had once dreamed of.

Until Nathan handed her those divorce papers, shattering her illusions. Only then did she understand their love story was never meant to be.

The audience fell silent, captivated by the performance.

"Isn't that Mr. Blackwood's former wife? Such remarkable talent!"

"In this age of shallow pop culture, how rare to find a woman who appreciates true artistry!"

"Former wife? She's clearly moved on with Mr. Kingsley now!"

"Did you see how Mr. Blackwood looked at her? That man isn't over her by a long shot!"

"Who could get over someone like that? Even old Mr. Blackwood adores her. She's in another league compared to that counterfeit-loving socialite!"

Victoria overheard the whispers and stormed away, finding refuge in a shadowed alcove where she could nurse her fury and plot revenge.

Penelope kept pushing for immediate action, but Victoria wasn't foolish enough to be anyone's pawn. If caught, she'd lose everything.

No, she needed a disposable weapon - someone like Cassandra Blackwood.

Perfect.

Within minutes, Cassandra came huffing over, her elaborate gown hindering her angry strides.

"That bitch Evelyn! How dare she steal the spotlight again with her pathetic singing!"

Victoria smirked. "Darling, what does it matter if she can sing? Performing is servant's work. Even if she marries well, she'll always be entertainment for people like us."

Earlier humiliation still burned in Victoria's chest, but now she could freely vent her poison.

"You're absolutely right! She's just making a spectacle of herself! That common blood will always show!"

"Cassandra," Victoria lowered her voice conspiratorially, "wouldn't you love to put that upstart in her place?"

"More than anything! I want to tear her apart limb from limb!"

Victoria grasped Cassandra's arm, eyes glittering with malice. "I have a plan, but I can't do it alone..."