Chapter 39

The entire room fell into stunned silence at her words. All eyes locked onto Isabella Sinclair.

None of the aristocratic ladies had guessed the breathtaking woman before them was Alexander Kingsley's former wife. They'd assumed she must be some foreign princess. How else could her family afford such extravagance to openly challenge Margaret Vanderbilt?

Isabella trembled with fury, her lips curling into a sneer. "Ms. Sinclair, how you've changed with your newfound status. I never realized you could be so... articulate."

Evadne merely arched a perfect eyebrow, completely unshaken by the venomous remark. "I simply mirror how people address me. What does status have to do with it?"

Isabella's face flushed crimson, her composure crumbling.

"Evadne! How dare you speak to my mother like that!" Glynnis sprang forward, fists clenched, ready to defend her mother's honor.

Evadne's laugh was cold as winter.

Glynnis shared her mother's cunning but lacked her ruthlessness. Engaging with such transparent schemers wasn't worth her time.

"Does anyone here require glasses?"

Nathaniel stepped forward, his expression glacial. "The instigator was quite obvious to anyone with functioning vision."

"How... popular Ms. Sinclair is," Acacia sneered from the sidelines. "First protected by President Ashbourne, now this gentleman. Quite the collection of champions."

"Acacia," Evadne's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, "gossip requires only a mouth. But have you considered the consequences?"

Acacia's pulse spiked.

She'd dismissed this woman as some naive country girl easily intimidated.

Now, facing those piercing eyes, fear coiled in her stomach. The more she interacted with Evadne, the more unpredictable she became.

"Ms. Sinclair, we're merely concerned for your reputation." Una's tone dripped with false concern. "After all, you did... interfere with Acacia and Alexander's relationship. Though we don't blame you - it was clearly unintentional. But now that Acacia and Alexander are engaged, your presence as his ex-wife is rather... inappropriate."

Acacia smirked triumphantly at her mother's expertly delivered barb.

The noblewomen gasped, their gazes turning judgmental.

So this was the infamous ex-wife - and a homewrecker too!

How disgraceful!

"I interfered?" Evadne's laugh rang out sharp and clear. "Mrs. Vanderbilt, has your mind become as shoddy as your company's furniture?"

Una's face purpled with rage.

"When I married Mr. Kingsley, he was single. Your daughter ended things because she couldn't handle the pressure. How is that my fault?" Evadne's smile turned lethal. "Shall I list every time your daughter harassed my husband during our three-year marriage? Would that satisfy your... curiosity?"

Acacia paled.

During those years abroad, she'd sent countless vicious texts, even called to hurl abuse. Evadne had never retaliated... until now.

"Nathaniel, show them."

With a nod, Nathaniel produced a folder from his briefcase. The marriage certificate inside struck like a physical blow.

"As you can see, Mr. Kingsley and I haven't finalized our divorce." Evadne's smile could have frozen hell. "Yet some can't wait to steal what's still mine."

Acacia's face burned hotter than molten lava.

Who carried their marriage certificate around?

But Evadne always prepared for every contingency. This document was her mirror, reflecting their lies back at them.

Isabella and Una found themselves speechless. Legally, Evadne still held the upper hand. Any further argument would only deepen their humiliation.

"Now, who's the unwanted third wheel here? I'll let you decide."

With that, Evadne departed amidst shocked whispers, leaving Acacia trembling with impotent rage.

As the auction's commencement neared, VIPs filled their assigned seats. Isabella and Glynnis sat in the third row, the younger woman's gaze darting constantly toward Jareth.

"He's breathtaking," Glynnis sighed.

"This Jareth Foundation gala is impossibly exclusive," Isabella muttered. "I couldn't even secure front row seats."

"Mother, Alexander and Jareth are close. Couldn't you ask Alexander to introduce me?" Glynnis pleaded.

Isabella's expression darkened at the mention of her stepson. "Absolutely not."

"Where's Mari?"

"Probably making a spectacle somewhere." Glynnis wrinkled her nose. "Must you bring her? She's an embarrassment to the Sinclair name!"

"Your sister needs to socialize. At twenty, she should be married off already - one less problem to manage." Isabella sighed as if discussing expired goods.

Meanwhile, Acacia and Una fumed from their seats at the very back of the venue.

"Mother! Alexander's in the front! I want to sit with him!" Acacia made to storm forward but was blocked by security.

"Seating is assigned, Ms. Vanderbilt. No exceptions."

"Do you know who I am?" Acacia hissed.

"Mr. Kingsley's girlfriend," the guard said flatly. "But these arrangements were made by the Jareth Group chairman himself. Not even his wife could change them."

Una yanked her daughter back. "Enough! It's just a seat!"

Her eyes burned with resentment watching Isabella and Glynnis chatting comfortably in better seats. Her sister had always pretended to help while actually undermining her.

The hall was packed, with only one empty seat remaining in the front row - reserved for Cas sius.

Alexander's gaze flickered toward it before he looked away.

"Strange," Jareth mused. "President Ashbourne hasn't arrived. Could he be skipping?"

At that moment, the grand doors swung open.

Every head turned. Even Alexander, normally indifferent, found himself glancing back.

His breath caught.

His ex-wife strode in, clad in a razor-sharp black suit and stilettos, commanding the room like a queen claiming her throne.