Chapter 6
Cedric's voice was calm and measured, each word landing with perfect clarity.
"Dragging a woman around in public against her will—if word gets out, that won't look great for Ashford Group's reputation."
Sebastian's wrist stiffened. He turned and met Cedric's unreadable gaze.
"Mr. Parker?" Sebastian knew exactly who Cedric was. Parker Group was an absolute powerhouse in the business world. Ashford Group had been trying for years to get a foot in the door with them, but they could barely get a meeting with Cedric.
Sebastian swallowed his anger and forced himself to sound civil. "Mr. Parker, this is between me and my wife. A little marital spat doesn't really call for outside interference, does it?"
Cedric released Sebastian's wrist and picked up a napkin from the nearby bar, wiping his fingers slowly and deliberately.
That one small gesture made Sebastian's face darken instantly.
"Marital spat?" Cedric tossed the napkin into the trash, his tone flat. "What I just saw was a man in a public place trying to use force on a woman who clearly didn't want to go with him. Legally, that's called assault."
Sebastian clenched his jaw. "Mr. Parker, you're joking. Eve is my wife—"
"Ms. Kendall." Cedric ignored Sebastian entirely and turned to Evelyn. "Do you want to go with him?"
Evelyn rubbed her reddened wrist, her voice clear and firm. "No. And we won't be married much longer anyway."
Sebastian's temper finally snapped. He stepped forward. "Evelyn, do you have to make a scene like this in front of people? Don't forget—our families arranged this marriage. You can't just end it because you feel like it. If you don't come home with me right now, I'll shut down every project you're working on tomorrow!"
He thought the threat would make her back down. But Evelyn didn't even blink.
"Go ahead." She looked straight at him. "You don't need to shut them down. I'll send my resignation to HR tomorrow. Sebastian, I'm saying this for the last time—leave me alone."
Sebastian froze.
The usually gentle, compliant Evelyn was now looking at him with nothing but undisguised annoyance.
"Did you hear that, Mr. Ashford?" Cedric stepped between them, one hand in his pocket. "If you keep pushing, Parker Group's legal team would be happy to assist Ms. Kendall. After all, forcing women to do things against their will—if that hits the news, it won't be great for Ashford Group's stock price."
Sebastian's face cycled through shades of red and white.
Parker Group's legal department was legendary—undefeated in court. And Ashford Group was in the middle of bidding on a major government contract. The last thing they needed right now was a scandal.
He stared hard at Evelyn, forcing words out through gritted teeth. "Fine. Evelyn. We'll see how long you last out there on your own."
Sebastian turned and stormed off, his retreating figure radiating fury and embarrassment.
Sophie had been watching the whole thing with her jaw on the floor. Once Sebastian was out of sight, she slapped her thigh. "Yes! That was amazing! That's exactly what he deserved!"
Evelyn let out a breath of relief and turned to Cedric. "Cedric, thank you again. If you hadn't stepped in, I don't know how long I would've had to deal with him."
Cedric glanced at the obvious red marks on her wrist. His brow furrowed just slightly.
"Don't mention it." He pulled a black and gold business card from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and handed it to her. "I already had someone send that drink for testing and saved the security footage. When you decide how you want to handle it, contact me anytime."
Evelyn took the card with both hands. "I will. And I'll reimburse you for the testing costs."
Cedric didn't respond to that. He just gave her a slight nod. "Get home safe."
As Cedric turned and headed back upstairs, Sophie elbowed Evelyn. "Okay, who the hell was that? His presence is insane! When he stood there, Sebastian looked like a total clown. When did you meet someone that high-level?"
"He was a senior in college, two years ahead of us. We've run into each other a few times at alumni events." Evelyn tucked the card into her bag. "Come on, let's go back to your place."
The next morning, Evelyn sat at Sophie's dining table, drinking milk and typing up her resignation letter on her laptop.
Sophie shuffled out of the bedroom, yawning. "You're really quitting? That project in the East District is almost done. If you leave now, you're kissing that bonus goodbye."
"I don't care." Evelyn hit the final key. "I'm not staying at Ashford Group and running into Sebastian every day. It's disgusting. Plus, with Arianna around, he's going to hand all my resources over to her sooner or later anyway. I'm not sticking around to do someone else's job for them."
Just then, her phone buzzed on the table.
The name flashing on the screen: Grandpa Richard.
Evelyn's fingers froze over the keyboard.
Richard was the only person in the Ashford family who'd ever been kind to her. Years ago, her mother had been caught up in false accusations and labeled a homewrecker. Evelyn had been bullied mercilessly at school. Richard had stepped in, shut down the rumors, and arranged her marriage to Sebastian.
She'd spent three miserable years in the Ashford family, but she'd always been grateful to Richard.
She answered the call. "Grandpa."
Richard's voice was serious. "Eve, there's an important business dinner tonight. It's tied to a major deal for Ashford Group in the second half of the year. The other party specifically requested that the Ashford family attend as a couple to show stability and unity. I'm too old to go myself. Could you do me this favor and go with that idiot grandson of mine? Just this once?"
Evelyn was quiet.
Richard continued, "Please. For my sake?"
Evelyn couldn't refuse when he put it like that.
"Alright, Grandpa. I'll do it."
At four o'clock that afternoon, Sebastian's assistant called.
"Mrs. Ashford, Richard asked me to remind you that the dinner starts at seven. Mr. Ashford will send a car to pick you up at six. The gown has already been delivered to your friend's building."
Evelyn's tone was flat. "I don't need him to pick me up. I'll get there myself. And I'll pick my own dress."
She hung up without waiting for a response.
Sophie rolled her eyes. "Sebastian's got some nerve. He treats you like you don't exist until he needs you to play the perfect wife for show."
Evelyn pulled a sleek black halter dress from her suitcase. She'd bought it herself a while back but never had the chance to wear it.
"It's just for show. Once this is over, I'll be done with the Ashford family for good."
At six-thirty that evening, Evelyn took a cab to the InterContinental Hotel downtown.
The ballroom was on the top floor. When the elevator doors opened, she was greeted by a glittering hallway filled with well-dressed guests.
Evelyn handed her coat to an attendant, took a deep breath, and walked toward the ballroom.
She hated these kinds of events. Tonight, she just planned to make an appearance, fulfill Richard's request, and leave.
She made her way down the long corridor and stepped through the main entrance of the ballroom, scanning the room for Sebastian.
Then a ripple of soft laughter erupted from a nearby group.
Evelyn followed the sound. Her feet stopped dead.
Beneath the crystal chandelier in the center of the room, Sebastian stood in a custom-tailored suit, holding a champagne flute and laughing with several older executives.
And clinging tightly to his arm was a woman.