Chapter 133: Damian’s Penance
The accusations were like rusted blades, sawing slowly through Evelyn’s already bleeding heart. She wanted to fight back, but her throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. No sound came out. Tears broke through again, mixing with the rain on her face.
Was it true? If she hadn't married Damian, if she had been stronger, would Grandma still be alive?
Just as Evelyn’s legs gave out and she began to collapse, a powerful arm wrapped around her waist. Ryan pulled her firmly into a warm, broad embrace. He tilted his black umbrella forward, shielding her from the poisonous glares of the crowd.
He turned around. His eyes, usually full of playful indifference, were now cold enough to freeze the air.
"Take them down."
His voice wasn't loud, but it held an absolute command. The guards surged forward, pinning the agitators face-down into the mud.
"Let go of me! We’re just exposing the truth about this woman!" the leader shouted, struggling against the grip.
"The truth?" Ryan sneered. He pulled a stack of printed bank statements from his suit pocket and slapped them across the man’s face. The wet paper clung to the man’s skin, making him look pathetic.
"Yesterday at 3:00 PM, Sienna Marlow’s private account transferred five thousand dollars to each of you." Ryan’s voice carried through the rain like a hammer. "Is this your 'justice'? Taking money from the woman who wants to tear down this orphanage to slander the person who actually protects it?"
The crowd gasped. The guests, who had been watching with confusion, now looked at the agitators with pure disgust.
"They were paid to ruin a funeral!" "Sienna has no soul. Disrupting a burial for money?"
The men on the ground turned pale, stammering and unable to form a sentence.
"Throw them out," Ryan said with a wave of his hand. "Don't let them stain the Director’s path to heaven."
The guards dragged them away like dead dogs. Ryan turned back to the shivering Evelyn in his arms. He used his thumb to wipe a tear from her eye. "Don't listen to them, Evelyn. This isn't your fault. Evil people don't need a reason to do harm."
Evelyn gripped his lapels, her knuckles turning white. Finally, in that embrace that smelled of cedar and safety, she let out a long-suppressed cry of grief.
After the funeral, the guests dispersed. Evelyn refused to go back to the hospital. She insisted on going to the orphanage—the only place left that held her memories. Ryan didn't stop her; he gave her the space she needed.
In the Director’s modest office, everything remained untouched. A Bible lay open on the desk next to a pair of reading glasses. Evelyn knelt on the old rug and began sorting through the Director’s belongings.
At the bottom of a locked wooden chest, she found stacks of yellowed paper. They were her childhood drawings—scribbles and messy lines that Director Worth had kept as if they were masterpieces. Under the drawings was a handmade rag doll, its stitches fine and careful.
At the very bottom lay a faded envelope and a ring. The envelope was addressed: To my dearest child, Evelyn.
With trembling fingers, Evelyn opened the letter.
Dearest Evelyn, if you are reading this, I am likely with the Lord. Don't be sad, child. This old body was becoming a burden to you. If my passing allows you to break the chains of your past, then it is the last good thing I can do for you. I know things are hard, but you must protect yourself and the baby. That child is innocent, just as you once were.
The ring at the bottom of the box is the only thing your mother left you. It has the letter 'L' engraved on it. It may be the only clue to your true identity. I never told you because your mother was running for her life when she arrived, and I feared the danger it might bring you. But now, you need strength. Perhaps this ring will guide you. Let go of the past, my child. Don't live for hate. Start your new life.
Tears blurred the ink. Evelyn picked up the silver ring. It was an antique design, exquisitely crafted. A flowery "L" was engraved on the inner band, and a circle of tiny sapphires glinted in the dim light.
L... Lawrence? A strange intuition struck her heart.
Suddenly, the office door was kicked open. A gust of cold, wet wind rushed in. Evelyn instinctively hid the ring in her palm and turned around.
A man stood in the doorway, soaked and disheveled. It was Damian. His shirt was rumpled, his hair was matted to his forehead, and his once-arrogant eyes were bloodshot. He looked completely broken.
"Evelyn..."
"Don't come near me!" Evelyn backed away.
Damian didn't seem to hear her. He rushed forward and then...
Thud.
The untouchable CEO of Omni Group dropped to his knees on the dusty floor at her feet. He reached out, clutching the hem of her black dress, his voice cracking with sobs.
"I’m sorry... Evelyn, I’m so sorry! I was wrong! I was a fool! I shouldn't have listened to her... I shouldn't have treated you like that..."
He looked up, his face covered in tears of regret. "I had it checked. Sienna has been lying to me! Those videos were fakes! She was trying to drive us apart!"
"Please, Evelyn, give me one more chance. Let's start over. I’ll send Sienna away—to Africa—anywhere! She’ll never see you again! I’ll give you anything! Shares, property, money... just forgive me!"
Evelyn looked down at the sobbing man. Just days ago, he had slapped her and insulted her because of Sienna’s lies. Now, he was kneeling for mercy. How pathetic.
"Compensation?" Evelyn said coldly. "Damian, tell me... how much is Director Worth’s life worth to you?"