Chapter 26

Cary burst into the room, his eyes seething with anger.He found Evelina casually enjoying the company of two notably attractive men.

Next to her was the same handsome man from the Dusk Lounge event, who had previously received ten roses from Evelina under Cary's watchful eye.

His attempts to intervene had clearly failed, as evidenced by their current friendship.

"Evelina, really?" Cary seethed. "We're still married,and here you are, charming other men?"

Jasper,still recovering from his coughing fit,scowled,preparing to have his security remove Cary.

Caleb,however,addressed him first.

"Look who it is. The cheating husband and his mistress,"Caleb said with biting sarcasm.

Towering over Cary at six feet one inch, Caleb peered disdainfully at him and Esme who had followed.

"Who are you?" Cary asked "I'm a lawyer," Caleb replied with cold precision. "I deal with shameless people daily, but you, sir,are exceptional. Cheating on your wife, flaunting your affair before your divorce is finalized, and having the audacity to accuse her in public?"

"Shut up!" Cary shouted, losing his comnposure and throwing a punch.

Caleb easily dodged, making Cary's attempt look foolish.

Cary wasn't actually aiming to hit Caleb; it was a diversion to reach. Evelina. He jabbed a finger accusingly at her, his voice dripping with contempt."You claimed you were sick, confined to bed rest.What is this charade? Cozying up with your new lover?You deceitful slut!"

Was he referring to Jasper as her boy toy?

The bodyguards of the Russell family tensed instantly.History had it that the last individual who dared yell at Jasper Russell vanished without a trace.

A chilling calm settled over Jasper's features, his anger nearing its peak. Before he could erupt, Evelina stepped closer, touching his shoulder subtly, her gesture surprisingly tender.

For anyone else, such familiarity would have warranted immediate ejection.

Yet,for Evelina, Jasper remained unbothered, almost appreciative of her touch.

Evelina met Cary's fury with cold disdain. "The manI'm with now surpasses you in every conceivable way-more attractive, wealthier, and vastly/ superior in bed."

Her words struck Cary like physical blows.

Cary lost it. "That's a lie!"

Esme, catching every word, teared up. "Cary... have you really been with her?"

Cary's denial was swift and desperate. "No! I swear,I haven't laid a finger on her since our marriage!"

Evelina's smirk deepened. "Caught onto my deception,have you? So what grounds do you have for your accusations?"

She slapped his pointing hand aside with force.

The sound of the slap filled the room, and Cary shouted, nursing his hand in agony.

"Good heavens, Cary!" Esme hurried to his side,her concern veiled with an opportunity to criticize Evelina."That's uncalled for! Hitting someone like that -I'm calling the cops!" Evelina looked at her coolly. "Sure, go ahead. That should help them investigate who got Margot to hire those kidnappers."

Esme stopped, her phone halfway to her ear. "What..Are you suggesting I was involved?"

Evelina had entertained the thought. Margot had the malice but not the brains for such a plot-unless she was coached.

The subtle change in Esme's expression was telling.

"Strange, isn't it? Three years my marriage went smoothly. Then you come along, and suddenly I'm facing thugs? Quite the coincidence." Evelina's tone was frosty, slicing through the mounting tension.

"Don't forget-I challenged you openly. I dared you to heal Florrie's eyesight or admit to being a sham. You had a motive to get rid of me."

Cary's expression contorted with uncertainty, as he hadn't thought of this angle before.

He recalled the secretive conversation Esme had with Margot that evening. Could it be that she had manipulated her?

Esme erupted, unable to hide her panic. "She's fabricating everything!Evelina,where's your evidence?" Evelina responded calmly, "Direct proof? I lack it.However, Margot knows who planted the scheme in her head. If she confesses, I'll retract my accusation.She could go free."

Now Cary faced a dilemma. Should he support his sister or stand by his girlfriend? Evelina's statement had forced him to choose.