Chapter 130

Evelyn dodged Ethan's outstretched hand, her voice laced with warning. "Keep your hands to yourself, cousin. Unless you want Alexander to deal with you later."

Ethan's patience snapped. "Evelyn, cut the act!"

Vanessa seized the opportunity to clutch Ethan's arm. "It's my fault for causing this scene," she said with practiced meekness. "My parents will make sure Evelyn learns her place."

Turning to Evelyn with a venomous smile, Vanessa added, "Three years in prison didn't teach you any manners, did it?"

The word "prison" made Evelyn's expression darken. Those three stolen years of her youth, wasted behind bars.

The Caldwells exchanged glances, realization dawning. "Of course," their expressions seemed to say. "How could we forget she's an ex-con? No wonder she's so shameless."

At that moment, Ryan finally looked up from his phone.

He'd been immersed in a ranked match - playing on his professional esports account no less - but the escalating argument had become impossible to ignore. With a frustrated sigh, he abandoned the game mid-match.

"Isn't it disgraceful for all of you to gang up on one woman?"

The tension in the room thickened.

"We're supposed to be celebrating today, aren't we? Let's get on with it. I brought her here."

Ethan Caldwell shot Evelyn Carter a sharp look. "She's my friend. What’s wrong with her attending the ceremony?"

Evelyn lifted her chin. "I'm not just your friend." Her voice was firm. "I'm your aunt."

Ethan suppressed a groan. I just saved her from humiliation, and she still won’t back down? Unbelievable.

Vanessa Hart stepped forward, her expression the perfect blend of apology and distress.

"Respected elders," she began, her voice soft but carrying, "please forgive my sister. I’m Evelyn’s sister, and I beg for your understanding. I’ll take her away immediately."

Her words were honeyed, but the underlying message was clear—Evelyn is causing a scene, embarrassing us all.

Vanessa turned to Evelyn, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know you despise me. You came here today just to humiliate me, didn’t you?" She raised her voice slightly, ensuring everyone heard. "Please, stop this. Do you want to make my life in the Whitmore family unbearable?"

The room buzzed with whispers.

Vanessa played the victim flawlessly, painting Evelyn as the reckless troublemaker who would sabotage her sister’s happiness without a second thought.

Evelyn clenched her fists. She’s twisting everything.

But the damage was done. The crowd’s judgmental stares burned into her.

Ethan sighed. This is spiraling out of control.

And then—

A deep, commanding voice cut through the murmurs.

"Enough."

All heads turned.

Alexander Whitmore stood at the entrance, his presence silencing the room instantly.

His gaze locked onto Evelyn.

And then—

He smirked.

"Did you really think I wouldn’t show up?"

Ethan Caldwell noticed the tears glistening in Vanessa Hart's eyes, her delicate frame trembling with suppressed emotion. His stern expression softened as he drew her closer, wrapping a protective arm around her slender shoulders.

Last night should have been their perfect wedding night. Instead, Ethan had stumbled home drunk, reeking of alcohol. Yet Vanessa hadn’t uttered a single word of reproach.

Even when he’d spiked a fever in the dead of night, she had rushed out into the storm to fetch medicine herself. She could have easily sent a maid, but she’d chosen to go personally—proof of her unwavering devotion.

Ethan’s jaw tightened. Evelyn Carter’s sudden appearance today is clearly meant to humiliate Vanessa in front of the Caldwells later. She’s always been cunning like this.

Since Evelyn was technically family, his mother would undoubtedly take her frustrations out on Vanessa. The Caldwells prized their reputation above all else, and Evelyn’s scandalous behavior would make them the laughingstock of their social circle.

His mother couldn’t punish Evelyn, so Vanessa would bear the brunt of her anger instead.

"One last chance," Ethan growled, his voice dangerously low. "Leave. Now."

He was already showing more patience than Evelyn deserved.

Evelyn merely sighed, shaking her head. "I can’t. I haven’t even congratulated your bride properly yet."

Alexander had secured their marriage certificate in a vault.

Evelyn wished she could retrieve it now and shove it in their faces to end this exhausting charade. No more explanations. No more lies.

Vanessa's eyes lit up suddenly. "Wait! There's a digital version of the marriage certificate online!"

Without hesitation, she snatched her phone from her purse, fingers flying across the screen.

"Vanessa, stop this nonsense!" Ethan's voice was sharp, his expression darkening. A strange, unsettling dread coiled in his chest as he watched her pull up the records.

The fear was irrational but undeniable.

He couldn't let this go any further.