Chapter 264

"Theodore, what's wrong?" Evelyn asked with concern. Her breath caught as she took in his disheveled appearance.

The usually composed Theodore stood before her with bloodshot eyes and trembling lips, looking utterly devastated.

Sebastian stepped forward from behind Evelyn, drying his hands with a monogrammed handkerchief. Evelyn's gaze flickered to the crimson stains marring the fine linen. She exhaled sharply—her brother had once again taken justice into his own hands, denying her the chance to demonstrate her strategic brilliance.

"I'm so sorry... truly sorry!" Theodore's voice cracked as he bowed deeply, the weight of his apology hanging heavily between them.

Evelyn's phone buzzed abruptly. Dominic's name flashed across the screen.

"Dominic?" she answered.

"Evelyn, Penelope just left my office." Dominic's tone carried equal parts frustration and self-reproach.

He continued, "My team has spent days compiling evidence of her embezzlement and bribery schemes. But she was prepared—every trail now leads to Vincent Whitmore."

A bitter chuckle escaped him. "Leonard hired Lawrence Pembroke. That man could defend the devil himself with his loophole exploitation. Without concrete proof, we had to release her."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around her phone. "You did everything possible. The Westridge project remains ours—that's what matters. We'll handle the rest when the time comes."

Unlike the seething men surrounding her, Evelyn remained composed. Their collective rage could incinerate Penelope where she stood.

Though Penelope was despicable, Evelyn understood a crucial truth: reckless vengeance bred mistakes. Leonard's obsession with his wife guaranteed he'd move heaven and earth to protect her. Escalating this into a corporate war over a single project? Not worth the fallout.

Dominic sighed. "Theodore called me earlier. Poor man sounded devastated. Please reassure him this isn't his fault."

Another weary exhale. "He's torturing himself over you—terrified you'd blame him, so he's shouldering guilt that isn't his to bear."

"I see," Evelyn murmured.

Ending the call, she turned to Theodore with newfound understanding. "Theodore..."

His knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. "Ms. Carter, my family has failed you. I'll accept any consequences."

Earlier that day, Theodore had discovered his brother Lawrence took Penelope's case. The revelation sent him storming into Pembroke & Associates, where their argument turned explosive.

"Our father was a man of integrity! He spent his career prosecuting corrupt officials—do you remember how they came for us after his retirement? If not for Harrison Kingsley hiring him as legal counsel, shielding our family under Monarch Group's protection, where would we be now? How dare you represent the Blackwoods against Evelyn? This is betrayal!"

Twenty years of brotherly harmony shattered in that office. Theodore had never stood his ground so fiercely—not until Evelyn's honor was at stake.

Lawrence's retort still echoed: "The Blackwoods showed us kindness, but we owe them no fealty! Father spent decades winning cases for Leonard—any debt is paid. I'm a lawyer first. Every client deserves my best effort, regardless of personal ties. But you? Our parents sacrificed everything for your education, not to make you the Kingsleys' lapdog!"

Those words had carved Theodore's heart open. Torn between familial duty and unspoken love for Evelyn, he'd returned to her feeling unworthy.

"Theodore, listen to me." Evelyn closed the distance between them, her touch gentle as she steadied his shaking shoulders.

"Don't torment yourself. We won't let Penelope poison relationships that matter. She's not worth our anguish."

"Ms. Carter, I—" His voice fractured under the weight of shame.

Evelyn interrupted firmly. "Lawrence is doing his job—as he should. When we need legal counsel, I trust your family will stand with us. Isn't that right?"

Theodore's nod was barely perceptible, his gaze fixed on the floor.

The trio entered the waiting car. Sebastian laced his fingers through Evelyn's, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. "What's our next move, darling?"