Chapter 9

Evelina, somewhat inebriated, failed to grasp the atmosphere,focusing instead on the unease brewing in her gut.

She selected a vibrant red rose from the bouquet,gently pressing its petals against the chiseled jawline of the man standing before her. "Don't hold back,rising star. With your looks? You're clearly destined for the spotlight."

While speaking,Evelina casually broke the stem and placed the rose in his suit pocket as if it perfectly belonged there.

The man, Jasper Russell, clenched his jaw, his face turning cold.

A rising star? Did this woman genuinely mistake him for a male escort?

"Stop this now!" In an attempt to defuse the situation,Cary intervened abruptly, forsaking his previous concern for Margot. He seized Evelina by the arm,steering her towards the door. "My apologies, sir-she's not herself; she's had too much to drink."

He nearly introduced her as his wife but swallowed the term at the last moment.

"I am not drunk. Release me!" Evelina shot him a fierce look, pulling her arm away. "We're divorced,remember? Start acting like it."

Evelina, with no word of apology,thrust the remaining roses into Jasper's hands and made her exit.

Cary,seething, hurried after her. "Evelina, what on earth are you doing? Flirting with someone else right in my presence?"

Unfazed,Evelina continued on her path, not giving him the satisfaction of a response.

Her silence only fueled his anger. "Seriously? This is what you've come to? This is your big move to get my attention? Pathetic. You're acting like some spoiled kid."

She halted, turning to face him with a weary and dismissive gaze.

"Finished?" Evelina asked, her voice dripping with fatigue. "I'm eager to get some rest. And don't flatter yourself.I've never loved you, and I never will."

Cary's expression contorted with frustration. "Alright then! Tomorrow at eight, the courthouse. We finalize the divorce. Don't be late."

Her eyes sparkled with relief. "Sure," Evelina replied with a radiant smile. "And if you're late, prepare to imitate a dog."

They went their separate ways after the exchange; he reentered the venue, she walked away.

Outside, as Evelina waited for her taxi, she quickly composed a message to Kristina, saying, "Located your 'rising star.' Mission accomplished. Off to bed now."

Just as she was about to send the message, a dark figure loomed behind her.

She turned sharply, only to be caught off guard.

A sack was thrown over her head, plunging her into darkness as her phone clattered to the ground.

Two minutes later, Margot's phone vibrated with a new message.

Margot,having discreetly followed a group of trainees backstage, blended in unnoticed by the staff who mistook her for a crew member, allowing her to move freely behind the scenes.

Margot was indulging in the scene before her when Hayden's call interrupted her reverie. She picked up with enthusiasm. "You secured her? Excellent, Hayden, this will definitely count in your favor."

Suddenly, Cary's voice interrupted from behind."Secured who?"

Startled, Margot ended the call abruptly. "C-Cary?What brings you here?"

He seized her wrist, pulling her from the scene. "I was looking for you! This isn't a suitable place for someone of your standing."

As he recalled her conversation with Hayden, he warned,"Keep your distance from the likes of Hayden Reid. He's bad news. Remember, you're to marry into the Russell family. It's time you behaved accordingly."

"I know, I know..." Margot beamed as she latched onto his arm, all sweet and cheerful again while they walked away from the backstage area.

Yet,her eyes betrayed a sinister resolve.

"Evelina won't escape this time. Nobody will come to rescue her," she thought.