Chapter 203: Gifting the Shares
"Look who it is."
Camilla, surrounded by a group of fawning guests and holding two glasses of red wine, approached with a sharp, cutting voice. "Our grand design consultant. Why are you hiding in a corner alone? Is it because no one invited you to dance?"
A wave of low snickering rippled through the surrounding guests.
Evelyn remained calm. "I am here to work, not to socialize. However, for a guest of honor like you, Ms. Covington, to spend so much time staring at me is a bit beneath your status, don't you think?"
"You!" Camilla’s face flushed with anger.
Not far away, Ryan was being introduced to several senators by Richard. Hearing the commotion, his gaze immediately shifted toward Evelyn, his brow furrowing.
Camilla caught Ryan’s look. Her eyes darted around, and a malicious grin spread across her lips.
"Work? Well, since you’re working, why don't you hold my glass for me?" Camilla stepped in front of Evelyn, thrusting a full glass of red wine toward her.
Just as Evelyn reached out to take it, Camilla’s fingers suddenly let go.
"Oops!" Camilla let out an exaggerated cry of surprise, her wrist giving an intentional-looking shove forward.
A full glass of dark red wine splashed across Evelyn’s chest and down her skirt. Then, using her momentum, Camilla slammed her shoulder hard into Evelyn’s.
The floor was polished to a mirror shine. Evelyn, in high heels, had no time to react. She lost her balance and began to fall backward.
"Evelyn!" A roar thundered over the music.
Just before Evelyn’s head could hit the edge of a table, a powerful arm caught her firmly around the waist.
It was Ryan.
He hadn't hesitated for a second. To catch her, he had shoved Richard’s hand away and collided with a waiter’s tray, sending it flying. The momentum carried them both in a half-circle, and Ryan’s back slammed hard against the edge of the long buffet table.
Crash!
Glassware shattered across the floor. Ryan grunted in pain but didn't let go. Instead, he pulled Evelyn’s head against his chest, using his other hand to shield her from flying glass shards.
Time seemed to stand still. The room fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the frantic clicking of camera shutters.
Under the flashing lights, the heir to the Lawrence family—who had been lukewarm toward his fiancée all night—was now frantically checking the woman in his arms for injuries.
"Where are you hurt? Talk to me!" Ryan forgot where he was. He forgot the plans, the masks, and the games.
There was only Evelyn.
That raw, uncontrolled love and fear were broadcast live on the giant screens for everyone to see.
Evelyn, still shaken, looked up at Ryan’s face. It was the face she knew best—undisguised and desperate. "I’m okay..." she whispered, clutching his lapels.
"Ryan!" Richard Covington’s roar shattered the silence.
The old man’s face was purple with rage. He threw his cigar to the ground and pointed at the pair. "Is this your explanation? Hugging your ex-girlfriend in front of every guest and the media?"
Camilla stood nearby, her faked surprise turning into pure, poisonous jealousy. Her carefully planned humiliation had instead become the backdrop for their public display of affection.
"Daddy! Look at him!" Camilla stamped her foot, tears flowing on command. "He hasn't forgotten this bitch at all!"
Ryan slowly straightened his back, finally realizing the situation. But he didn't let go of Evelyn. He helped her stand, then took off his own wine-stained suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, covering her ruined dress.
The gesture was heartbreakingly tender. Only then did he turn to face the furious Richard and the sea of cameras.
"An explanation?" Ryan looked at Richard coldly. "If a guest is injured at my gala, that is the greatest disgrace to the Lawrence family."
"You..." Richard trembled with rage. "Fine. Very well. Ryan, it seems you really don't care about the stock price tomorrow."
"Apologize to Camilla!" Richard stepped forward aggressively. "Now. Make this woman get on her knees and apologize to my daughter, or this doesn't end tonight!"
"On her knees?" Ryan repeated the words, a mocking smile appearing on his face.
He let go of Evelyn and stood tall, adjusting his cuffs. His gaze swept over Richard’s bloated face and scanned the crowd.
"Uncle Richard, that’s beneath us. It shames the Lawrences and makes the Covingtons look... small-minded."
"What did you say?!"
"I’m saying a cheap apology is meaningless." Ryan pulled out a checkbook and a pen. He scribbled a few lines, tore off the slip, and held it between two fingers toward Richard.
"Instead of an empty 'I'm sorry,' let’s offer something real. One percent of the original shares of Nova Group, gifted to Ms. Covington as 'emotional distress' for tonight’s little drama."
The room erupted. One percent of the original shares. It sounded small, but everyone knew Nova Group’s current valuation. It wasn't just millions of dollars; it was a golden ticket into the inner sanctum of the Lawrence family’s power.
Even Richard froze. His anger turned instantly into a look of greedy ecstasy. He had wanted to humiliate Ryan, but he hadn't expected Ryan to cut off such a massive piece of his empire to settle the matter.
"Ryan..." Evelyn looked at his back in disbelief.
Ryan didn't look at her. He walked to Camilla and offered his hand like a gentleman. "Is this sincerity enough?"
The jealousy in Camilla’s eyes vanished, replaced by the arrogance of a victor. She glanced at the disheveled Evelyn and gave a contemptuous laugh.
"Of course." Camilla placed her hand in Ryan’s, leaning into his chest. She looked at Evelyn with triumph. "It seems Ryan still knows the difference between a toy and a real mistress of the house."
Half an hour later, in a side corridor.
Evelyn was using a wet wipe to try and clean the dried wine stains from her skirt.
"Don't bother. It’s trash now. Just like you." The click of high heels approached. Camilla swirled her champagne.
"One percent of the shares." Camilla stood over her. "Do you know what that means? It means with one flick of my finger, I can decide your fate at Nova. Ryan gave up core assets just to make me happy. What do you think you are?"
Evelyn stopped her cleaning and slowly stood up. Even with a ruined dress and messy hair, her cold, noble aura completely overshadowed Camilla.
Evelyn looked directly into Camilla’s eyes. "True value is never defined by shares. You got the money, but you’ll never get respect. Just like that expensive gown—it can’t hide the stench of a nouveau riche brat."
"You dare insult me?" Camilla’s smile twisted.
"I’m just stating facts." Evelyn gave her a cold look and walked away.