Chapter 186

The vintage cello case felt heavy in Evelyn's hands as she pulled it from the dusty storage closet. Strapping it across her back, she turned toward the exit without hesitation.

Not a single moment longer would she endure this suffocating prison called Hawthorne Estate. A family that had never treated her as one didn't deserve her presence.

"Evelyn Carter, don't you dare take another step!"

Margaret's sharp command sliced through the air as Evelyn crossed the grand living room.

"Look what you've done! Vanessa is in tears because of your cruel words!" Margaret's voice trembled with outrage. "You will apologize this instant!"

Vanessa clung to Ethan Caldwell's arm, her delicate sobs pausing abruptly when she spotted the cello case. A flicker of unease crossed her face.

Evelyn hadn't touched that instrument in years. Why now?

Was she planning to return to music?

Vanessa's carefully constructed mask slipped for just a second before she buried her face back into Ethan's shoulder.

Evelyn's lips curled into a bitter smile as her gaze swept over the room's occupants. "Apologize?" Her voice was glacial. "For what? Speaking the truth?"

Richard Hayes slammed his fist onto the marble coffee table. "Walk out that door, and consider yourself disowned! You're no daughter of mine!"

Evelyn carefully placed her cello aside and sank into the plush sofa cushions.

"Richard," she began, her voice steady. "Do you recall our little wager? You swore that if I married Alexander, Vanessa would surrender the deed to Hawthorne Estate."

A cold smile played on her lips. "I know you're a man of your word. When should I expect the transfer?"

Her gaze sharpened. "In fact, you might want to begin packing. It's time for you to leave."

At the mention of their bet, Richard's expression flickered with unease.

When they'd made that agreement, he'd been certain she would never secure Alexander's hand in marriage—certain enough to gamble Vanessa's home for Evelyn's company shares.

Margaret's shrill voice cut through the tension. "How dare you speak to your father like this! Are you truly throwing us out?"

Evelyn didn't even glance her way. "This was between Richard and me. Stay out of it."

"You—"

"I have the entire conversation recorded." Evelyn's fingers brushed her phone. "Unless you'd like to hear it?"

Vanessa's knuckles whitened around the fabric of her dress. "Evelyn," she whispered, her face ashen. "How can you be so cruel? The shares weren't enough? Now you're stealing my home?"

The air thickened with unspoken threats.

Evelyn leaned forward, her eyes glacial. "No one stole anything. This was a fair game—and I won."

A heavy silence fell.

Then—

Crack.

The sound of skin meeting skin echoed through the room.

Vanessa's palm stung from the force of her slap across Evelyn's cheek.

Evelyn didn't flinch.

She simply turned her face back slowly, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.

Her smile was terrifying.

"Now we're even."

Vanessa stumbled back, suddenly uncertain.

Because Evelyn wasn't just claiming a house.

She was dismantling their entire world—one calculated move at a time.

And this?

This was only the beginning.

Evelyn's icy stare burned into Vanessa's face. "Addressing your elder so disrespectfully? Is this how the Harts raised you? Let me make this clear—I'm your Aunt Evelyn! As for the estate, just because your name is on the deed doesn't mean it's yours. Grandfather William's will explicitly states it belongs to me and Oliver," she declared, her voice sharp with authority.

Vanessa lowered her gaze, guilt twisting in her stomach.

Richard's glare darkened. "Aunt Evelyn? This is the Hayes family, not the Caldwells! You and Vanessa are both my daughters. Why should she call you that?"

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "And that bet about the house? A joke, nothing more. I'm still alive, which means I decide who inherits what. Not you."

His words dripped with defiance, making it clear he had no intention of honoring their agreement.

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. "Richard, you're spitting on your own father's dying wishes. Aren't you afraid he'll rise from his grave to curse you for your betrayal?"

Ethan stood nearby, and the venom in Evelyn's words made Richard's face flush with humiliation.

Before anyone could react, Richard's hand shot out, aiming for Evelyn's cheek.

She barely had time to register the movement before the slap was already descending—too fast, too brutal.

But the stinging impact never came.

Ethan's grip clamped around Richard's wrist, stopping the blow mid-air.

The sound echoed through the grand hall of Whitmore Manor, sharp and unforgiving.

Vanessa Hart staggered back, her hand flying to her cheek where Evelyn Carter’s palm had struck. The force of it sent her stumbling into a nearby table, knocking over a crystal vase.

Silence followed.

Evelyn’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her fingers still tingling from the impact. She hadn’t planned this. But the moment Vanessa had sneered, whispering those vile words about Alexander, something inside her snapped.

Vanessa’s eyes burned with fury. "You—"

"You deserved it," Evelyn cut in, her voice low but steady. "You crossed a line."

Alexander Whitmore stepped forward, his presence commanding. His gaze flickered between the two women, lingering on Evelyn with something akin to pride.

Vanessa’s lips curled. "This isn’t over."

Evelyn met her glare without flinching. "It never was."

The tension thickened, suffocating.

Then, from the doorway, Grace Caldwell gasped. "What on earth is happening here?"

Vanessa’s expression twisted into something wounded, her fingers still pressed to her reddening cheek. "Your sister-in-law just assaulted me."

Grace’s eyes widened, darting to Evelyn.

Evelyn didn’t deny it. She lifted her chin. "She had it coming."

Alexander’s lips twitched, though he schooled his features into neutrality.

Grace hesitated, then sighed. "Vanessa, perhaps you should leave."

Vanessa’s face darkened. "You’re taking her side?"

Grace folded her arms. "I’m taking the side of peace."

With a final scathing look, Vanessa stormed out, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

The moment the door slammed, Evelyn exhaled, her shoulders sagging slightly.

Alexander moved closer, his fingers brushing hers. "You okay?"

She nodded, though her pulse still raced. "Better than I expected."

Grace shook her head, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Well, that’s one way to handle things."

Evelyn smirked. "Effective, wasn’t it?"

Alexander chuckled, pulling her into his side. "Remind me never to make you angry."

She leaned into him, the adrenaline fading. But beneath the lightness, a thought lingered.

Vanessa wouldn’t let this go.

And neither would she.