Chapter 79
Through the door, Evelyn couldn't see the expression on the person inside.
But the rapid breathing coming through the crack was enough for her to imagine the middle-aged woman's fury.
It seemed Mabel was no delicate woman—she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Evelyn had been overthinking it.
Hearing the sound of high heels from behind the door, she quickly slipped into the nearby restroom.
After touching up her makeup, Evelyn turned to leave, only to run into Violet in the hallway.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
A good girl like Violet—she had no interest in bullying her, yet she couldn't help but dislike her.
Violet had her eyes on Evelyn's man. She had pretty good taste.
Too bad Violet had zero self-awareness.
Evelyn didn't want to deal with Violet. She was about to walk right past her when Violet called out.
"Ms. Thomas, can we talk?"
"Talk?"
Evelyn stopped and looked at Violet, who stood before her, clearly anxious and nervous, yet still blocking her path.
To anyone watching, it would look like she was bullying Violet.
She casually sized up Violet—a pink knee-length tulle dress. Violet still had the taste of a little girl.
"What is there for us to talk about?"
"About Mr. White."
As Violet's words fell, Evelyn's expression turned cold.
Violet still hadn't given up on Benjamin?
She stared coldly at Violet without saying a word.
Violet seemed scared by her, growing even more nervous, opening her mouth several times without managing to speak.
"Ms. Bailey, I'm not interested in watching someone play statue."
Evelyn nodded slightly and prepared to walk around her.
"Ms. Thomas!"
Violet seemed to gather all her courage—her voice was so loud it even startled Evelyn.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, looking at Violet before her.
They were roughly the same age, yet the difference between them was huge.
One sharp and capable, the other just a schoolgirl.
Meeting Evelyn's indifferent yet slightly mocking eyes, Violet bit her lip hard but continued speaking.
"If you don't like Mr. White, why can't you let him go?"
"Let him go?" Evelyn's lips curved up, seemingly interested. "What, who told you I'm the one keeping him tied to me? Did he say that?"
"Everyone knows you don't like him..."
"So what?"
Evelyn's face hardened as she cut off Violet's words.
"Ms. Bailey, the Bailey family's upbringing should have taught you what a homewrecker is, right?"
"Benjamin is my fiancé. He and I are an engaged couple approved by both the White family and the Thomas family, and we're getting married soon."
"Under these circumstances, you come here asking me to let him go—what exactly are you trying to do?"
Evelyn's cold tone fell on Violet's face like shattered ice, and her already anxious face instantly flushed red and white.
In this moment, Violet's girlish feelings had nowhere to hide.
Violet's anxiety reached its peak, yet her feelings for Benjamin couldn't be suppressed.
"Yes, I like him!"
"But I haven't done anything to damage your relationship. I just hope he's happy—is that wrong?"
Meeting Evelyn's eyes that gleamed with cold amusement, Violet tried hard to suppress her panic.
In this moment, she set aside all her girlish pride, just wanting the man she loved not to suffer.
Evelyn clicked her tongue lightly. "You're really brave, coming to someone's fiancée and saying all this dramatic stuff. Can it change the facts?"
"It's just the 'true love' theory of a mistress, except you're a mistress-wannabe who hasn't even been noticed."
Her gaze on Violet grew even colder as Evelyn shook her head.
"Even if—and this is a big if—he and I broke up, he still wouldn't be with you. Why bother making yourself the villain?"
"You don't understand!" Violet seemed angry now. "I'm doing this because I want him to be happy, not because of what you think..."
"Really? How noble of you. Hoping for his happiness even if that happiness has nothing to do with you?"
Evelyn raised her hand and gently patted Violet's shoulder, leaning in close.
"If you're so kind, you should perform in front of him, not run to me shouting about how great your love is."
"After all, I won't be moved by you—I'll just confirm your status as a homewrecker."
She straightened up and walked away, paying no more attention to Violet, whose face was flushed red and white.
Back in the banquet hall, she didn't see Samuel anywhere.
Didn't Samuel say he would keep an eye on her?
Her brow had just furrowed when several laughing voices rang out.
"Who would have thought Ms. Thomas and Mr. Martinez had that kind of relationship?"
"What's so strange about it? She's so beautiful, it's totally normal for Mr. Martinez to have his eye on her."
"But Mr. White..."
"Mr. White likes her, but she has someone else in her heart. To break off the engagement, she'd really do anything."
Having grown up in this wealthy circle, Evelyn knew well that the slightest hint could spread like wildfire.
Not to mention her troubled relationship with Benjamin and the widespread rumors about wanting to break off the engagement.
But how did she get dragged into anything with the Martinez family?
Jeremy?
He had just proposed to Mabel, and immediately after, rumors about them started—he really was afraid someone else would steal his Playboy reputation.
She didn't want to deal with these women, and even less did she want to confront the Martinez family on their own turf. She turned to leave.
After all, she'd delivered the birthday gift and made an appearance at the party—leaving now wouldn't be rude.
Evelyn had no interest in getting caught up in all the drama. She took out her phone, wanting to text Benjamin to see if he was done with work.
She hadn't even left the banquet hall when a burst of mocking laughter rang out, impossible to ignore.
"Is Ms. Bailey going for a look where people need makeup, and dresses need makeup too? Some kind of hippie style?"
Violet walked in looking confused, and a group of people immediately surrounded her, laughing.
She instinctively looked down at her dress, and only after being prompted did she notice the obvious lipstick mark on her shoulder.
On a dress with such a youthful vibe, the bright red lipstick was clearly scribbled on carelessly.
Not exactly a huge embarrassment.
But Violet was thin-skinned, and the mocking laughter from the crowd around her immediately brought tears to her eyes.
Evelyn had no intention of coming to Violet's rescue, nor was she interested in watching the spectacle. She was about to turn and leave.
But then Violet saw her, and her tearful voice rang out.
"Evelyn, how could you do this?"
With that, many eyes turned to them, and people unconsciously formed a circle around them.
It wouldn't be easy for Evelyn to leave now.
Having her rhythm disrupted, Evelyn frowned, feeling that Violet had truly angered her.
Her cold gaze swept over, the chill in her eyes completely unconcealed.
"What did I do, Ms. Bailey?"
Evelyn's words maintained basic politeness, but the expression on her face was terrifyingly cold.
"You ruined my dress with lipstick, and you won't even admit it?" Violet's face flushed red as she tried hard to hold back tears, seemingly furious to the extreme.
But Evelyn couldn't help wanting to laugh.
Did this Violet think this would make her back off, or make Benjamin pay more attention to her?
Ridiculous!
Glancing at the lipstick mark on her dress, Evelyn spoke slowly.
"Ms. Bailey, you need evidence when you make accusations. Do you have any?"
"You were the only one who touched me just now, and you touched exactly where the shoulder is!"