Chapter 423

Evelyn's phone slipped from her fingers.

Her legs gave out beneath her as she collapsed onto the cold marble floor. The world she knew had just imploded.

Meanwhile, Cassandra luxuriated in her nightly routine. The warm bathwater lapped at her skin as she applied her expensive skincare products before the vanity mirror.

Ever since Julian had issued his ultimatum, an unshakable tension had settled in Cassandra's bones. Sleep had become an elusive stranger.

What was so special about that simpleton anyway? Why did Evelyn keep defending Eleanor? Why did Julian take her side?

"That conniving little actress," Cassandra spat.

Her manicured fingers snatched up a lipstick. With violent strokes, she scrawled Eleanor's name across the mirror before obliterating it with angry slashes. "You're not worth my time now. Just wait until I take control of the Blackwood Hotel—"

Her phone's shrill ringtone shattered the moment.

Seeing Isabelle's name flash across the screen, Cassandra's face twisted in disgust before smoothing into a practiced smile. "Darling Isabelle, what a surprise. Calling so late?"

"We have a serious problem!"

Isabelle's hushed voice carried an edge of panic. "The mole on Evelyn's team has been exposed. The police already have him in custody."

"What? How?" Cassandra's grip tightened on her phone. "And Vivian?"

"You haven't seen? Vivian and her boss got caught in bed during a live broadcast tonight. The wife walked in and streamed everything. They didn't even have time to cover themselves. The internet's having a field day."

Cassandra's mind went blank.

Her carefully constructed world collapsed between one breath and the next.

"Delete all your communications with Vivian before the police trace them back to you," Isabelle warned grimly.

"Understood."

Another call beeped through—her personal assistant.

"Hold on, Isabelle." She switched lines. "Report."

"It's bad news, Ms. Blackwood."

Her assistant's voice trembled. "Ms. Prescott was in a car accident near Hawthorne Boulevard. She's unconscious and in critical condition."

"Perfect timing." Relief flooded Cassandra's voice.

"Excuse me?"

"With the mole caught, it was only a matter of time before Evelyn connected everything to Vivian and us. This accident couldn't have come at a better moment."

Cassandra's eyes glinted with cold calculation. "She served her purpose by ruining Evelyn's deal with Isabella. Now it's time for her exit. A hospital bed will keep her conveniently silent."

Meanwhile, Evelyn had already received news of Vivian's accident.

She was selecting a vintage bottle from the wine cellar Sebastian had designed for her, planning a nightcap.

"The accident happened when Vivian lost focus while driving. I suppose that livestream scandal affected her more than she let on." Theodore steadied the ladder as Evelyn reached for a bottle.

"She made her choices. A woman with her looks didn't need to sell herself so cheaply." Evelyn's tone remained detached.

"Margaret certainly didn't hold back." Theodore shook his head. "Serves as a warning to other women eyeing married men."

Evelyn's marriage had crumbled when Victoria stole her husband.

Though Nathan had never loved her during their three years together, that gave Victoria no right to trample on Evelyn's dignity and insert herself between husband and wife.

"With the pawns eliminated, shall we focus on the queen, Ms. Carter?" Theodore's gaze held unspoken meaning.