Chapter 123: Ridiculous! He Hurt Her, Then Saved Her
Ryan placed a thick folder on the nightstand. "This is a plan drafted by the top divorce litigation team in New York."
Evelyn set down her glass of warm milk and touched the rough surface of the folder.
"Damian is buried in scandals, so he’s too busy to bother you for now," Ryan said seriously. "But a cornered animal is dangerous. I’ve assigned four bodyguards to watch you twenty-four hours a day."
"Thank you," Evelyn whispered. She checked her phone and looked at her notes. A red countdown timer stung her eyes. Two weeks until I leave.
Three months was when she would start showing. That was her deadline to escape. To cut ties with Damian completely, she needed more than just proof of his cheating and abuse. She needed to ruin him. She needed to ensure he had no leverage to fight for custody.
She needed Damian’s ledger. She knew he kept backups of his secret transactions in a safe in his study. That safe held the proof of him embezzling company funds for Sienna’s jewelry, her real estate, and even government bribes.
"I need to go back to the Green Manor tonight," Evelyn said, looking up at Ryan. "There are things I have to get myself."
Ryan frowned, looking ready to object. But when he saw the resolve in her eyes, he sighed.
"Wear the tracker." He pulled a button-sized device from his pocket and pinned it to the inside of her collar. "If your location doesn't change for ten minutes, I’m sending people in to level the place."
Night had fallen by the time she arrived at the familiar mansion. Damian was likely hiding in his office to avoid reporters, probably with Sienna in his arms. The servants watched her return with mixed expressions, but no one dared to stop her.
Evelyn ignored their stares and went straight upstairs. She pushed open the study door. The air still smelled like Damian’s favorite cigars. That scent used to make her feel safe; now, it made her want to vomit.
She walked behind the desk and moved a row of law books to reveal the built-in safe. The password was her birthday. It was a sick joke that he locked away proof of his betrayal behind her birthday.
The door clicked open. Evelyn searched quickly and found a black USB drive and a stack of paper ledgers. She pulled out a miniature scanner. Her hands shook, but her movements were precise. Page after page, every transaction was a nail in Damian’s coffin.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated. It was an urgent message from Sophie.
Run! Evelyn, get out of that house! I just got word that Dennis has lost it!
Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat as she scrolled down.
He’s drunk and armed! He can’t get to Damian because of the security, so he’s coming for you instead! He’s heading toward the manor right now!
Evelyn ripped out the USB drive, shoved the evidence into her bag, and bolted out of the room. The grounds of the manor were eerily quiet. She wrapped her coat tight, protecting her stomach as she hurried toward the car parked at the corner.
She was only fifty yards away.
"Mrs. Green..." a sinister voice hissed from the bushes.
Evelyn froze. Dennis stumbled out, his shirt stained and his eyes bloodshot. He was dragging a rusted iron bar that scraped against the concrete with a terrifying screech.
"You bitch... you ruined my life." Dennis let out a drunken burp, the smell of alcohol filling the air. "Damian kicked me out of the group, and you wanted to finish me off? Is that it?"
Evelyn backed away, her hand reaching for the tracker on her collar.
"Don't move!" Dennis roared, raising the bar. "One more step and I’ll crush your skull!"
He was clearly out of his mind.
"Dennis, if you leave now, I can pretend this never happened," Evelyn said, trying to stay calm. She looked for an escape route. "The police are on their way."
"The police? Hahaha!" Dennis laughed like a madman. "If I’m going to jail, I’m taking someone with me!"
Evelyn’s pupils shrank. She clutched her stomach.
"Die!"
Dennis lunged forward, swinging the iron bar with insane strength. The distance was too short. Ryan’s guards were on the perimeter and wouldn't make it in time. Evelyn closed her eyes and curled her body into a ball. She turned her back to him, intending to take the hit with her own spine to protect the child in her womb.
The screech of brakes pierced the night. A black Bentley hadn't even come to a full stop before the driver’s door was kicked open. A figure blurred past, lunging at Evelyn and pinning her to the ground, shielding her completely with his own body.
A dull thud echoed.
Evelyn felt the man on top of her shudder violently. A muffled groan exploded near her ear. A warm liquid splashed onto her cheek. It smelled like rust. It was blood.
"President!"
"Damn it! Grab him!"
The guards finally arrived, tackling the stunned Dennis to the ground. Evelyn’s mind went blank. She reached up and pushed at the man on top of her. He slid off her body and collapsed onto the pavement.
In the glare of the headlights, Evelyn saw his face. It was Damian Green.
The back of his custom suit was torn open. Blood soaked through the fabric, turning it a horrific dark shade. The wound was deep, exposing white bone.
"Da... Damian?" Evelyn’s voice shook.
She hated this man. She wanted him dead. She wanted him to suffer. Yet here he was. The man who had pushed her into an abyss had just taken a lethal blow for her.
Damian struggled to open his eyes. His usually cold, calculating gaze was hazy and unfocused. He looked at Evelyn’s uninjured face, and his pale lips moved slightly.
"Don't... don't be afraid..."
His voice was a whisper, but it hit Evelyn like a sledgehammer. She wasn't moved. She was horrified by the absurdity of it all. It was too ridiculous. When she loved him most, he stabbed her in the heart. When she decided to destroy him, he chose this tragic way to play the hero.
Damian’s fingers twitched as if he wanted to touch her face, but his hand fell limp. He slipped into unconsciousness. The distant wail of an ambulance drew closer. Evelyn sat on the cold concrete, looking at the bloodied Damian, then touched her own pulsing belly.