Chapter 118
Evelyn Sinclair sat with Margaret and Genevieve, all three women sharing a silent understanding of Rebecca’s plight.
Yet, the online discourse surrounding Rebecca was nothing short of bewildering. Without realizing it, one could easily be swept into the same toxic narrative as the masses.
Men cracked crude jokes about Rebecca’s curves and sultry gaze. Eight out of ten comments dripped with suggestive humor, yet they insisted it wasn’t disrespect—just their way of appreciating her, as if she should be flattered.
They even picked fights with women defending Rebecca, pitting genders against each other. But this so-called protection felt suffocating.
The women were no better, split into two factions. One group, led by Ruth and her ilk, sneered at Rebecca as if they’d personally witnessed her seducing every man in sight. They clutched their pearls, terrified the harlot would sink her claws into their idols next. The other faction? Delusional mistresses who idolized Rebecca, seeing her as their twisted role model.
Only a rare few genuinely admired Rebecca’s beauty and undeniable talent.
Evelyn exhaled sharply. The internet, once a place of harmless fun, now felt like a battlefield.
No wonder only the ruthless survive this industry.
She had no interest in digging into others’ private lives. At most, she’d enjoy the drama from the sidelines.
So, she closed the tab.
When she looked up, the gaggle of society wives across from her still stared, waiting for her response.
Women should stand together. Yet some chose to side with the oppressors, betraying their own.
Pathetic.
“See now? You understand what kind of woman she is, don’t you?”
Evelyn nodded quickly. Oh, she understood perfectly.
Ruth mistook her agreement for compliance and puffed up with self-righteousness. “We must remove her—cleanse the industry of her filth!”
Evelyn tilted her head. “Aren’t you worried this might backfire on Mr. Gonzales? Last time we tried something like this… well, it didn’t end well.”
Ruth’s face twisted. “Of course not! I’ll make sure my husband sees her for the snake she is. She’s the seductress—my husband is just a victim of her schemes!”
Evelyn smirked. “A man willing to divorce you for another woman clearly doesn’t love you. And you still want him?”
Ruth’s lips thinned. “Our bond runs deeper than you could fathom. I won’t abandon him just because he’s lost his way. Now, focus on what we need from you.”
Evelyn leaned back, grinning. “I refuse.”
Silence.
Then—chaos.
“You dare reject us?”
“Who do you think you are? Some nobody who got lucky?”
“We should speak to your benefactor instead. You’re just a glorified sugar baby.”
Ruth’s eyes gleamed with malice. “Your man is high up in Quirk Group, isn’t he? My cousin sits on the board. I could have him put you in your place.”
Evelyn bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Across the room, Margaret and Genevieve trembled against the table, struggling to contain their amusement.
“Oh, so you didn’t approach Nathan because you knew you couldn’t control him?” Evelyn mused. “How… convenient.”
The wives exchanged uneasy glances.
One suddenly smirked. “You and Julian seemed awfully close on that show. Imagine if your boyfriend saw the footage…”
Evelyn blinked.
Oh, this is rich.
Margaret and Genevieve nearly collapsed from suppressed laughter.
Ruth lifted her phone. “Be smart, darling. My cousin could make things very difficult for you.”
Evelyn pressed her lips together, feigning distress.
What now?
She could drag in the waiter who knew her true identity. Or let Ruth call her cousin—every board member knew her. The shock would be delicious.
Margaret and Genevieve vibrated with excitement. They could reveal themselves, play the overbearing in-laws, put these women in their place—
The door burst open.
“Ruth? What are you doing here?”
Ruth’s head snapped up. “Liam! I—I came to see you.” She shot Evelyn a venomous smile. “Some girls these days have no respect. Maybe you could remind her benefactor to teach her some manners.”
Evelyn’s pulse quickened. Showtime.
But Liam froze, paling.
“Mr. Blackwood? What—?”
Nathan Blackwood stood in the doorway, his presence commanding the room.
Ruth’s mind blanked.
The other wives whispered frantically, sensing the shift.
Nathan ignored them, stepping to Evelyn’s side. His hand settled on her shoulder, warm and possessive. “What happened?”
Evelyn looked up, pouting.
My grand moment—ruined!
She buried her face against his chest, fingers skimming the hard planes of his abs.
Mmm. Not complaining.
“Hubby,” she whimpered, “they threatened to replace me! Said I was just another sugar baby. And—and they slandered me with Julian!”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
The wives gaped.
Ruth’s voice cracked. “Mr. Blackwood, she’s—?”
Nathan’s gaze turned glacial. “My fiancée.”
Silence.
Then—
Chaos.
No one steals Evelyn’s spotlight.
And no one threatens Nathan Blackwood’s woman.