Chapter 73
Nathan's breath hitched. His pulse roared in his ears like a tempest.
He stared at his ex-wife with widening eyes. How could the docile woman he'd once married transform into this venomous creature capable of such brutality?
"Evelyn... is this true?" The words scraped against his constricted throat. His obsidian gaze burned into her.
Victoria's lips curled in triumph beneath her feigned tears.
Julian Montgomery pressed a hand to his chest, utterly bewitched by Evelyn's sinister smile.
No woman had ever embodied such lethal allure - equal parts temptation and danger.
"What exactly are you implying, Nathan?"
Seeing his hesitation, Victoria unleashed hysterical sobs. "You'd believe her over me? After everything?" Her mind raced. Why did that idiot confess? No matter - my plan's working.
"Look what kind of viper you married!" Margaret Sterling shrieked, clutching her "injured" daughter. "She nearly slit Victoria's throat! This was attempted murder!"
Nathan's lashes lowered, shadowing his conflicted expression.
"You were never violent at Cliffside Manor." His voice turned gravelly. "This isn't you."
Penelope Blackwood's laugh dripped acid. "Now that the divorce is final, the mask comes off, doesn't it? Thank heavens Nathan saw through you before—"
"That's enough." Julian stepped forward, only to be halted by Evelyn's raised hand.
Cassandra Blackwood's nails bit into her palms as she watched Julian defend her former sister-in-law. The betrayal stung like salt in an open wound.
"What exactly do you want?" Evelyn's mocking tone sliced through the tension.
"Apologize. Now." Nathan's icy detachment erased three years of shared history in an instant.
Victoria barely concealed her triumph. See, you fool? Your devotion meant nothing. A single tear from me outweighs your—
CRACK!
Evelyn's palm connected with Victoria's cheek with enough force to snap her head sideways.
Gasps echoed through the room.
Nathan barely registered the movement - just a blur of motion and the whistle of displaced air.
"You— How dare—!" Victoria staggered, stars exploding behind her eyelids.
"That was for shattering Grandfather's bracelet." Evelyn's voice trembled with barely leashed fury. "Come at me next time, not precious heirlooms."
"Evelyn!" Nathan's roar shook the walls. His gaze caught on the angry red marks circling her delicate wrist - then dismissed them in his rage.
Penelope, Margaret, and Cassandra gaped at Evelyn's audacity.
Not one of them noticed the calculating glint in Evelyn's eyes as she flexed her stinging palm. This is only the beginning.