Chapter 138

Sebastian staggered out of the study, his face ashen. His chest constricted painfully, as if an invisible weight threatened to crush him.

Evangeline was like a festering wound on his soul—one he couldn't bear to touch. The slightest brush against the memory sent searing agony through him, threatening to shatter him completely.

But what terrified him more than Evangeline herself was the undeniable truth: she had once loved him.

Sebastian had always carried himself with unshakable pride, even as a boy. Hunger and hardship had never broken his spirit or forced him to bow to anyone.

"Mr. Sebastian," Preston hurried toward him, voice low. "Three urgent updates."

"Speak." Sebastian steadied himself, a thin sheen of sweat forming on his brow.

"First, Ms. Seraphina is awake but unstable. She's demanding to see you."

Sebastian's eyes darkened. "And the second?"

"The chairman secured a high-profile lawyer for Eloise. She'll be released tomorrow morning. Rumor has it her cousin, Earl, took full responsibility, clearing her name." Preston's tone dripped with disdain.

"Who's the lawyer?" Sebastian's jaw tightened.

"Cedric Lockwood."

Sebastian cursed inwardly. Frederic was playing chess, not checkers—pulling strings to enlist Cedric, a legal powerhouse.

Preston leaned closer. "Here's the twist—Cedric is the brother of Mrs. Kingsley's personal secretary, Jason Lockwood. Turns out Jason is the baby of the Lockwood family. Hard to believe, right?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Sebastian's face.

The Lockwoods weren't social elites, but their legal influence was unmatched. Patriarch David Lockwood was a legendary judge, renowned for his impartiality. His eldest son, Cedric, had never lost a case. The middle son, Ivan, was equally formidable on the bench.

Then there was Jason—the youngest, seemingly unremarkable. But a glance at his résumé would leave anyone speechless.

Top-tier education. Youngest doctorate holder in history. He could've coasted on his looks, but instead, he buried himself in books, earning full scholarships and perfect grades.

Yet this prodigy chose to serve as Evangeline's secretary—practically her glorified errand boy.

Sebastian shouldn't underestimate the caliber of people surrounding Evangeline.

Bitter resentment rose in his throat. "Eloise's release was inevitable. But she'll never set foot on the Board again. That door is sealed."

"Mrs. Kingsley is ruthless! She dismantled the opposition in one move. Like it or not, we benefited from her strategy." Preston grinned, rubbing his hands.

Sebastian shot him a glacial glare. "If you admire her so much, why don't you beg for a job under her?"

Preston froze.

"I've won countless battles, yet I've never seen you this thrilled. Remember who signs your paycheck."

Preston swallowed hard.

"What's the third update?"

"Oh! The man with Mrs. Kingsley that night—I identified him! You won't believe it!" Preston's eyes gleamed with drama.

Sebastian's gaze turned arctic. "Who?"

"Avery Chambers—youngest son of the Chambers Group chairman! He's been living in Helgen and just returned to Elmsworth!"

Avery? The Chambers Group?

Sebastian's pulse spiked.

The Chambers Group dominated half of Elmsworth's projects. Business circles whispered that the Kingsleys ruled the south while the Chambers controlled the north.

Both families boasted billions in assets, divided by a river. They maintained a fragile truce, but the rivalry simmered beneath the surface.

Sebastian had heard rumors that K Group and Chambers Group had collaborated on major international ventures. Their chairmen were old friends, their alliance spanning decades.

Had Evangeline and Avery known each other since childhood?

The way they'd looked at each other—exclusive, intimate—suggested a history. Were they childhood sweethearts?

Preston sighed enviously. "It makes sense. Mrs. Kingsley is Emeric's favorite. Everyone in her orbit is elite. Even Jason, the Lockwood heir, is just her assistant."

He side-eyed his boss, pity creeping in.

Sebastian might be CEO and soon vice-chairman, but his achievements paled next to Evangeline's.

Didn't that make him the ultimate trophy husband?

Sebastian's knuckles whitened, a vein throbbing at his temple. He braced against the wall, fist clenching.

What game was that woman playing, surrounding herself with men from powerful dynasties?

He pinched the bridge of his nose, voice strained. "Preston, fetch my migraine pills."

Elsewhere

11:06 PM

A sleek emerald Rolls-Royce glided to a stop outside the abandoned warehouse known as the Black Room.

Purchased years ago by K Group, the derelict building sat in Wye's outskirts. Emeric had foreseen the area's future value—rumors of an upcoming subway line made it a shrewd investment.

The basement was damp, dark, and reeked of decay. Prisoners here endured hell.

Knowing this, Cassius refused to let his sister face it alone. He accompanied her tonight.

"Sir. Ma'am." Two guards bowed as they approached.

"How's our guest?" Evangeline's tone was icy.

"Still breathing."

The words carried weight.

Evangeline nodded, descending the stairs with Cassius.

The stench of mildew and rot assaulted them. A rat skittered past Evangeline's stilettos, but she didn't flinch. She'd endured worse during her Doctors Without Borders missions.

Under flickering lights, George dangled upside down, his face swollen and purple from congestion.

Seeing them, he writhed like a trapped insect, snot and tears streaming upward. "I was wrong! Ms. Evangeline, spare me! I'll do anything!"

The man who'd threatened her with such bravado had cracked in three days.

Cassius tensed, but Evangeline stopped him with a glance.

"We agreed—I handle this. No interference."

"Fine." Cassius exhaled sharply, stepping back.

Evangeline crossed her arms, striding forward. Without warning, she drove her stiletto into George's shoulder.

He swung violently, gagging.

"Ms. Evangeline! I didn't know it was you! If I had, I'd never have listened to that witch Seraphina!"

George's snot nearly reached his eyebrows. "I'll atone! Send me to prison—just let me live!"

"Then answer my questions." Her voice cut like steel.

"Anything!"

Evangeline's eyes glinted. "As Seraphina's lover, tell me—has she ever borne a child?"