Chapter 108: Agrees to Attend
“Evelyn…” Damian cried out, his voice choked with tears. “Don’t go… forgive me…”
Sienna froze, her expression instantly twisting into a mask of pain. He was in her bed, being nursed by her, calling out another woman’s name.
“Damian, look at me, it’s Sienna!” she tried to wake him.
But Damian couldn’t hear. He clung to her hand like a lifeline, muttering devastating promises.
“I was wrong… I shouldn’t have yelled at you for her…”
“I’ll cut all ties with Sienna… really… I swear…”
“I’ll only be good to you… Evelyn… please, don’t leave me…”
Every word was a slap in Sienna’s face. Cut all ties? Only be good to her? Sienna trembled with rage, tears pooling in her eyes, but she held them back with sheer hatred. She stared at Damian’s face and let out a cold laugh.
“You want to ditch me? You want to go back to your wife?” Sienna leaned down, whispering in his ear. “Dream on, Damian. You’ll never get rid of me.”
If I can’t have your heart, I’ll destroy what you cherish most. You’re afraid of losing Evelyn, aren’t you? You want to maintain Omni Group’s image? Fine.
“Tomorrow is Omni Group’s listing press conference…” Sienna murmured. “I will publicly ruin Evelyn in front of all of New York. I will make sure you lose her forever.”
Once Evelyn is completely destroyed, once she’s a pariah, let’s see if you still beg her for forgiveness like a dog! Damian groaned in his sleep, turning onto his side, falling deeply into unconsciousness.
Sienna stood up, gave him one last cold look, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The rain outside continued, shrouding New York in gloom. She took out her phone and dialed an unlisted number. The call was answered after two rings by a deep, husky male voice. “Ms. Sienna, what are your orders this late?”
“Proceed with the plan tomorrow.” Sienna looked at her own perfectly sculpted, yet slightly menacing reflection in the glass. “I want a grand gesture. I want Evelyn to be humiliated in front of all the media and New York’s elite at that conference.”
“Don’t worry, it’s all set,” the man chuckled. “If she dares to show up, I guarantee her ruin.”
The next morning, the storm had just cleared. A weak sunlight broke through the heavy clouds, falling on the second-floor balcony of the mansion. Evelyn hadn't slept. She sat at her easel, the trash can by her feet filled with discarded sketches. Her eyes were bloodshot, but her expression was intensely focused.
The scene from last night—Damian collapsing in the rain and being taken away by Sienna—flashed through her mind. If it were the old Evelyn, she would have softened, worried, and rushed downstairs. But the current Evelyn felt only detached indifference.
Buzz. The phone on the desk vibrated. Evelyn glanced at the screen, and a subtle ripple disturbed the calm in her eyes. The sender was Octavia Green—Damian’s mother, her high-society mother-in-law who had always scorned her “orphanage background.” In eight years, Octavia had rarely texted her, only to mock her for not having children or to order her to attend pointless society events for show.
Evelyn picked up the phone and opened the message.
[Evelyn, today’s listing press conference is crucial. It concerns Omni Group’s stock price and the Green family’s honor. I know Damian has been out of line, but he is still your husband.]
[I require you to attend today as Mrs. Green, cooperate with Damian, and project the image of a loving couple to the media to shut down all the divorce rumors.]
[If you comply, this money is your payment. Consider this a plea from me, your mother.]
Attached was a screenshot of a bank transfer. The number of zeros was staggering. It was a massive sum, enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for generations.
Evelyn laughed, the sound dripping with sarcasm. This was high society. This was her imperious mother-in-law. When Evelyn married Damian for love, Octavia sneered at her poverty. Now that Damian had messed up the company and faced a stock crisis, the haughty noblewoman had finally lowered herself, trying to buy Evelyn’s “performance,” her “tolerance.”
Plea? Evelyn quietly repeated the word.
In the past, she might have endured it for the sake of “family honor” and Damian’s reputation, playing the part of the perfect, obedient wife once more. But now…
She touched her abdomen. The money had come at the perfect time. She needed it. She needed it to escape this cage, to raise her child, and to pave her own path to freedom. Since it was offered, why refuse?
Besides, this conference was probably more than just a performance. Given Sienna’s spiteful, short-sighted nature, she wouldn't let the humiliation from yesterday go unpunished. Today was Sienna’s best moment for revenge.
But it was also Evelyn’s chance to take the first step toward leaving Damian—and even turn the tables.
A sharp glint flashed in Evelyn’s eyes. Her fingers flew across the screen.
[I will attend. I’ve accepted the money.]
[But I have one condition: I will speak freely during the Q&A session. If you don't agree, find a substitute for your little show.]
Sent. Less than a minute later, Octavia’s reply came: a single, brief word.
[Deal.]
A short while later, the doorbell rang. It was Sophie. She rushed into the bedroom, carrying several large garment bags, throwing them onto the bed while catching her breath.
“Evelyn! Are you really going? Have you lost your mind?” Sophie was frantic. “I heard Sienna will be there too. That lunatic is up to no good! This is a trap! You’re pregnant, what if…”
“I know it’s a trap.” Evelyn walked to the bed and opened one of the bags. Inside was a dress. “But I have to go.”
Evelyn held the dress up to herself, looking at Sophie’s worried face in the mirror. A slow smile spread across her lips. There was no fear in it.
“Sophie, hiding won’t help. Since they’ve set the stage, it would be a shame not to perform in their little play, wouldn't it? Besides, some debts need to be properly settled.”