Chapter 373

The moment Evelyn exited Titan Capital Group, Alexander sped toward her in his sleek black Lamborghini.

Grace, lingering nearby, gaped at the striking young man bathed in golden sunset light.

Only when the sports car roared away did she finally blink back to reality.

Was that Evelyn’s brother?

Her pulse quickened as she replayed the image—Oliver leaning lazily against the car, a cherry lollipop dangling between his lips like he owned the world.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. She shook her head violently, snapping herself out of the trance.

Damn it!

I got so distracted I forgot why I came here!

Ethan had been comatose since his midnight hospitalization. A full twenty-four hours passed before he stirred that evening.

Now, he lay motionless, refusing food, water, even words—a hollow shell of the ruthless businessman he once was.

The machines beeped around him, the only proof he was still alive.

Grace bit her lip, guilt gnawing at her.

This is all my fault.

She reached for her phone, fingers trembling.

I need to fix this.

Before it’s too late.

The sunlight streamed through the car window, warm against Evelyn's skin.

But her thoughts had wandered too far, and now she'd lost sight of where Margaret had gone.

Stepping out of the car, Evelyn immediately spotted Richard standing outside, locked in a heated argument with Margaret.

"How dare you show your face here!" Margaret's voice trembled with fury. "Did you sign the divorce papers yet?"

Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands clenched into fists. "Every time I see you, I want to strangle you with my bare hands! Get out!"

Without hesitation, she grabbed a broom from a nearby maid and swung it at Richard with all her strength.

"Margaret, please! Listen to me!" Richard dodged, desperation lacing his words. "I've been staying at a hotel for days. We've been married for decades—can you really just erase all of that?"

"And what did you give me in return?" Margaret spat, her voice raw with betrayal. "You stole my child! What else is left for me to cherish?"

"It wasn't me!" Richard's hands rose in defense. "It was Evelyn Sinclair! She switched them behind my back—I only found out later!"

"What does it matter?" Margaret's grip on the broom tightened. "You both deceived me! You cheated, you used my money to fund your affair, and now you expect forgiveness? You're delusional!"

"I've cut all ties with her!" Richard insisted, his voice breaking. "Three days—I haven't seen her once! Please, Margaret, just one more chance. I don’t want a divorce!"

Margaret's lips curled into a bitter smile.

"Too late."

She raised the broom again.

This time, Richard didn't dodge.

Richard couldn't fathom how his thirty-year marriage was crumbling over this scandal.

The first workday after the holidays began with uneasy glances the moment he stepped into Horizon Enterprises.

Whispers slithered through the corridors like snakes.

As CEO, his authority had dissolved overnight.

The affair with Evelyn Sinclair and the twisted secret of their swapped daughters had exploded into public spectacle. Business partners were fleeing—termination notices piled on his desk like funeral wreaths.

Online, the mob raged. Competitors stoked the flames. Social media erupted with vows to boycott Horizon Enterprises forever.

Alexander Whitmore had already crippled him earlier this year. Now, this new disgrace...

By noon, stocks had nosedived. Richard was drowning.

The internet had unearthed every skeleton in his closet. If he didn’t salvage this fast, his father’s empire would be dust.

Divorcing Margaret wasn’t an option.

Evelyn Sinclair had been a fleeting indulgence. Even Vanessa—

He would never choose Evelyn Sinclair over Margaret.

Margaret came from old money, while Evelyn was just a gold-digging mistress with empty hands. Richard knew exactly where his bread was buttered.

His desperate gaze locked onto Margaret. "What do I need to do to make you take me back?"

Over Richard's shoulder, Margaret spotted Evelyn Carter approaching through the garden.

"You want redemption?" Margaret's lips curled into a cold smile. "Simple. Renounce Vanessa Hart as your daughter before the entire family. Cast her out of Hawthorne Estate. Then... maybe I'll think about it."

Secret Longing: A Second Chance at Love After Betrayal (Evelyn) novel