Chapter 191

Vanessa's smile froze when she witnessed Ethan draping his jacket over Evelyn's shoulders.

The heavy rain and dim streetlights masked her momentary slip of composure. No one caught the flicker of irritation in her eyes.

Vanessa approached the car, tilting her head up with practiced grace. She offered Evelyn a saccharine smile.

"Evelyn, darling, it's impossible to get a taxi in this storm. Let Ethan drive you home," she cooed, her voice dripping with false concern.

Without waiting for a response, she reached for the passenger door, positioning herself to slide in first.

When Evelyn didn't move, Vanessa grabbed her wrist and tugged sharply.

"Don't be shy! We're practically sisters now," she insisted, her grip tightening.

Evelyn's injured ankle screamed in protest. The sudden yank sent her stumbling forward, her palm slamming against the car door to steady herself.

She shoved Vanessa away—only for the woman to dramatically collapse into a muddy puddle with a theatrical gasp.

The splash echoed through the night.

Vanessa's designer dress was ruined. Her perfectly styled hair now clung to her face in wet strands.

And yet—her lips curled into a smirk only Evelyn could see.

Checkmate.

Vanessa's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Evelyn. "Evelyn, I was only trying to help by having Ethan drive you home. Why did you shove me?"

Rain streaked down her face, making her already pale complexion appear ghostly.

The moment Vanessa hit the ground, Ethan flung open the car door and rushed to her side, pulling her up.

His gaze darkened as it landed on Evelyn. "You haven't changed at all… Give me back my jacket."

Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile. She hadn't even bothered to put it on.

Her frosty eyes flickered between them before she let out a sharp, humorless laugh.

"Vanessa, it's just a jacket. Did you really need to throw yourself into a puddle over it?" Evelyn's voice dripped with disdain. "The things you're so desperate to steal from me? They're worthless."

With that, she tossed the jacket at them.

Vanessa's teeth sank into her bottom lip. "What are you talking about? You're the one who pushed me! Stop twisting the truth. Why would I deliberately fall into a puddle in this downpour? Do I look insane to you?"

Evelyn took two swift steps forward.

Before either could react, she seized Vanessa's wrist and yanked her out of Ethan's grasp.

Then—

She kicked Vanessa straight into the—

The sharp pain shot through Vanessa's leg like lightning.

She let out a piercing scream, her body crumpling as she collapsed onto the wet pavement.

"Since you love acting like the victim, I'll give you a real performance," Evelyn sneered.

Without hesitation, she swung her foot again, this time striking Vanessa squarely in the lower back.

The impact sent Vanessa sprawling face-first into a murky puddle.

Dirty water splashed everywhere, streaking her carefully applied makeup, leaving her porcelain skin smeared with grime. Her designer dress was ruined, her hair a tangled mess.

Evelyn loomed over her, lips curled in disgust. "Need an encore? I've got plenty more where that came from."

Each kick had been delivered with brutal precision. Vanessa lay dazed, struggling to process what had just happened.

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Evelyn never played by the rules.

Rage burned in her chest, but with Ethan watching, she couldn't fight back. Not here. Not now.

"Stop this madness!" Ethan roared, stepping between them. "Evelyn, have you completely lost your mind? Your family issues have nothing to do with Vanessa! Why take it out on her?"

Evelyn didn't even glance his way. "I despise fakes," she said coldly. "She wanted a scene? I gave her one. Now the performance can be convincing."

The words hung in the air like a challenge.

Vanessa remained motionless on the ground, her trembling fingers curling into fists beneath the muddy water. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

"You..." Ethan's face twisted with rage, his complexion turning ghostly pale. "This is beyond ridiculous!" he spat out.

Tears welled up in Vanessa's eyes as she clung to him. "Let it go, Ethan. She's not worth it. If anyone has to endure this, it should be me..."

Their icy glares bore into Evelyn, Vanessa pressing herself weakly against Ethan's chest as if seeking protection.

The biting wind made Evelyn's solitary figure seem even more delicate, like a lone leaf trembling in a storm.

Just then, the sleek silhouette of a rare vintage car emerged from the distance, its polished chrome glinting under the dim streetlights.

The tension in the air thickened, the sudden arrival slicing through the suffocating atmosphere.

Evelyn didn’t turn to look, but her fingers curled tighter around the edges of her coat.

Vanessa’s breath hitched, her grip on Ethan tightening.

The car slowed to a stop, its engine purring ominously.

A door clicked open.

Then—silence.