Chapter 497

The grand finale of Isabella Laurent's wedding unfolded like a dream, leaving the world buzzing with admiration.

Evelyn Carter had emerged victorious once again. Not only had she secured both fame and fortune, but she'd also miraculously revived the once-struggling Monarch Grand Hotels, transforming it into a thriving empire within a single year.

In just six months, she had surpassed Harrison Kingsley's expectations with dazzling brilliance.

Now, her first priority was clear—return to Fairhaven and claim her well-deserved reward from Harrison!

Hehe!

That evening, Evelyn arrived at Arabella Kingsley's school to pick her up. The sisters rode back to Fairhaven in a luxurious emerald-green Rolls Royce, the epitome of elegance.

Inside the car, laughter and chatter filled the air as the two sisters leaned against each other, their bond unbreakable.

"Evelyn, I still can't believe you're actually Alexa, the world-renowned jewelry designer!" Arabella pressed her flushed cheeks in astonishment.

"Stop right there—I already know what you're going to say." Evelyn tossed her dark hair over her shoulder, lifting her chin playfully. "You're about to tell me your admiration for me is like an endless, rushing river, right?"

"I've heard enough flattery to last a lifetime, so save your breath." She smirked. "If there's any jewelry you want, just ask. Consider it yours."

"H-How could I?" Arabella shook her head, her cheeks tinged pink. "You're Alexa! Only A-list celebrities wear your designs. You should give one to Cassandra. I heard her husband is about to become the president of Serenia. Wouldn't it elevate your brand if the First Lady wore your jewelry?"

"Pfft, Alexa might be a big deal to the world, but to family, it's just a name." Evelyn wrapped an arm around her sister's slender waist. "Go ahead and brag about it at school. Let them know your sister is Alexa. Trust me, they'll be lining up to kiss up to you. It'd be the honor of their lives to be connected to you."

Arabella's smile faltered slightly as memories of the rumors spread about her at school resurfaced—Ethan Chamberlain's relentless provocations, both overt and subtle.

Her eyes reddened, but she forced a small, tight-lipped smile.

"Sigh... Speaking of which, I really miss Cassandra."

Evelyn and Arabella leaned closer, their eyes shimmering with emotion. "I wonder if her husband is treating her well. If he dares to hurt her, I'll turn him into mincemeat!"

"You probably wouldn't even need to lift a finger," Arabella giggled. "Sebastian, Dominic, Donovan, Maxwell, Raymond, and Dad—none of them would let him off easy."

True enough.

Would Cassandra's husband really be foolish enough to test the wrath of the Kingsley family?

"Hmm? Evelyn, where's Theodore?" Arabella had been wondering about his absence since she got into the car and finally mustered the courage to ask.

"Oh, he's been overworking lately, so I gave him some time off." Evelyn shrugged, her expression unreadable.

The luxury car glided smoothly through the gates of Willow Creek Estate.

Just as the Kingsley sisters stepped out, they ran into the Pembroke family, who had just parked and were making their way toward them.

Evelyn hadn't been informed that Harrison had invited the Pembroke family tonight, so surprise flickered across her face before she quickly schooled her features back into calm indifference.

Lawrence Pembroke shot Evelyn a glare sharp enough to rival a rooster's comb the moment he spotted her. He looked like he was about to start crowing any second.

"Ms. Evelyn..." Theodore called out softly, his voice strained.

He took a hesitant step forward, but the memory of her words from that day made him retreat again. His heart, which had yearned to be near her, shattered all over again.

Evelyn spared him only a fleeting glance.

Tall and broad-shouldered, he stood there like a lost puppy, shoulders slumped, lips bitten pale. The sight was almost painful to witness.

But Evelyn knew better than to give him false hope.

To do so would be the cruelest kindness of all.