Chapter 10
Evelyn was speechless.
She finally realized just how foolish she had been in her past life.
Even if she beat Matthew up, Stella still wouldn't believe she had moved on to someone else.
"Stella, do you have time? Can we meet up later? There are many things I can't explain clearly over the phone."
There was a long silence on the other end before Stella's voice came through cautiously.
"Okay, let's meet at our usual place later."
With things on her mind, Evelyn didn't notice anything unusual about Stella. She got up and quickly went to freshen up.
Only then did she discover that the bathroom was fully stocked with her personal items, all her favorite brands, and they seemed to match Benjamin's couple's editions.
How sweet.
A smile tugged at her lips, her eyes revealing a hint of warmth.
Downstairs in the living room.
"Mr. White, won't you have breakfast before leaving?" Pearl asked, seeing Benjamin's serious expression.
"No."
He strode toward the door, then paused while reaching for his keys at the entrance. "Tell her not to worry about what's online. I'll handle it."
Pearl acknowledged and watched Benjamin leave, then saw Evelyn coming downstairs.
She smiled and approached. "Ms. Thomas, your favorite porridge is ready."
"I won't eat..."
Benjamin and Evelyn were quite in sync.
"Mr. White specially had it delivered fresh this morning and made for you."
"Benjamin?" Evelyn stopped heading out and glanced toward the dining room.
Last night, because of Matthew, they'd had a misunderstanding.
Combined with her fear of being intimate with him, their relationship seemed even worse now.
Would having breakfast with him help ease the tension between them?
Pearl saw her hesitation as uncertainty.
Pearl silently thought it would take Benjamin some time to win Evelyn over, but her smile didn't change.
"Mr. White has already left. He also said not to worry—he'll solve all the problems."
"Ms. Thomas is blessed. You're cherished at home, and Mr. White holds you dear in his heart."
That's exactly why she had been so blind, choosing to trust the wrong people.
She walked into the dining room and ate the sweet, soft porridge, her heart warming bit by bit.
God had given her so many people who loved her and a chance to start over. She absolutely couldn't let anyone ruin this life.
Sweet Haven.
As soon as Evelyn entered, she smelled the sweet aroma of cake and the fragrance of coffee, making the air feel warm.
"Over here!" Stella had been watching the entrance and immediately waved when she came in.
Evelyn hadn't seen her in years in her memories. Seeing her suddenly made her eyes sting and immediately turn red.
"Don't cry," Stella said as her smile faded. She pulled Evelyn to sit beside her, her eyes full of concern. "I know you're hurting, but Matthew doesn't have feelings for you—there's nothing we can do about that."
She lightly tapped her own mouth. "Look at me, saying things I shouldn't be saying again."
"It's okay."
Evelyn knew Stella had misunderstood. She smiled and shook her head. "I've seen Matthew and Sophia's true colors now. I won't be fooled by them anymore, and I won't revolve around Matthew anymore."
"Sounds like you're really heartbroken this time," Stella murmured. "I just wonder how long you can keep ignoring Matthew and Sophia."
"..."
Great.
Her habit of revolving around Matthew had become a fixed impression of her.
Stella didn't believe she could give him up at all.
Evelyn wrinkled her nose. "In your eyes, am I really that pathetic? After he treated me like that, would I still go back to him?"
"Your pride and backbone disappeared after you met Matthew."
She really had been pathetic.
Evelyn couldn't argue with Stella. In the past, for Matthew's sake, Evelyn had thrown away her dignity.
Now it was normal that no one believed she could let Matthew go.
Not just Stella—Benjamin didn't believe it either.
She didn't rush to explain but changed her approach. "What if I kick him out of the Thomas family? Would that be more convincing?"
"No!"
Stella's suddenly raised voice startled Evelyn.
Noticing people looking over, she made an apologetic gesture and lowered her voice. "You're not going to set yourself up as someone fighting him for inheritance just to protect Matthew's reputation, are you?"
She shook her head again. "No, that's impossible. Even if you're crazy in love with Matthew, you wouldn't go after your grandfather."
"Unless... your grandfather agreed to play along with this act?"
Should she say her past image of being blinded by love was too deeply ingrained, or that Stella's ideas were too wild?
She could even come up with such an absurd reason.
But thinking of what she'd done in the past, Evelyn really couldn't argue.
Evelyn touched her nose, a bit embarrassed. "I really want to give him up. After all, someone like Benjamin—with status, position, and who loves me—if I miss him, he's gone."
She thought she'd found a perfect reason, but Stella shot it down in less than a second.
"Did they say something to get you to help them go after Benjamin?"
Shock appeared on Evelyn's face, and Stella grabbed her hand, her expression very serious.
"Evelyn, you like Matthew—I can't stop you."
"But Benjamin truly loves you and truly cherishes you."
"You don't have to love him, but you can't scheme against him. That would be too hurtful."
Indeed.
In her past life, though she hadn't schemed against Benjamin, she had used his deep love and self-harm to force him to give up the White Group, give up his inheritance rights to the gang, and leave Emerald City.
Thinking about it now, she really had lost her mind!
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
She sounded confident, but Stella didn't trust her words.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this. Now my reputation is ruined—help me think of something."
Since she couldn't explain, she'd prove it with actions.
Stella raised an eyebrow, realizing Evelyn really wanted to clear her name.
But when Stella spoke again, her tone was a bit cautious.
"Right now, they're deliberately directing public opinion against you. If you want to change that, you need to shift the narrative. Can you accept exposing their dirt?"
"That would be perfect."
Evelyn answered without hesitation. "Expose them! They're thieves and cheaters."
Stella looked exasperated. "They're both single. Even if they're together, who can say anything? Are you trying to expose who they really are, or are you trying to prove that your hatred truly comes from love?"
Indeed, you reap what you sow.
White Group branch office.
"Mr. White," Chase held a tablet, his brow furrowed. "The video was deliberately muted and re-edited. There's no way to restore it."
Benjamin stared at the video. Evelyn entered the hospital room, said just a few words, then started hitting him.
Never mind what outsiders thought—even he felt she had attacked Matthew out of spite.
"I want results, not excuses."