Chapter 174: Controversy Regarding Elias's Biological Parents
In the studio's break room.
Evelyn sat curled in the corner of the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees. Every time her phone buzzed, her nerves wound tighter.
Two hours had passed since that threatening text. No new messages. The silence was more torturous than death itself.
"Evelyn?"
The door opened. Ryan walked in carrying a delivery box. "Front desk just received this. Addressed to you. No sender information."
Evelyn stared at the box in terror. "Don't... don't open it!"
If it was from Marcus, what if it contained something of Elias's...
Ryan frowned, sensing something was very wrong. He ignored her plea and quickly tore open the packaging.
Nothing gruesome inside.
Just a delicate velvet pouch.
Ryan turned the pouch over. A silver ring slid into his palm. A folded note fluttered to the floor.
Evelyn froze.
She snatched the ring, her fingertips tracing the familiar worn marks.
Her ring!
The one Director Voss had left her!
With trembling hands, she picked up the note from the floor.
The handwriting was wild and scrawled.
[An interesting little trinket. Returning it to you for now. Take good care of your things. And your people. —M]
M. Marcus.
A chill ran through Evelyn's body.
Why did Marcus have her ring?
And why return it?
Was this a warning?
Telling her he could take what she treasured most whenever he pleased?
"This is..." Ryan's voice turned deadly serious.
He took the ring from Evelyn's hand and walked to the window, examining it against the light.
For a split second, he thought he'd seen something.
"Give it back!" Evelyn tried to grab it. "It's a keepsake from Director Voss!"
"Evelyn, don't move." Ryan stopped her, his tone more grave than she'd ever heard.
He pulled a miniature magnifying glass from his pocket. It was meant for examining fabric textures, but now he aimed it at the inside of the ring.
In the refracted light, beneath the unassuming "L," there emerged the faint outline of an intricate iris flower pattern.
Ryan's pupils contracted sharply.
He'd seen this pattern in the family's gallery.
It belonged to his nominal "aunt." Madeline Lawrence. The most beloved daughter of the previous generation, who had fled the family. Her exclusive mark.
This ring wasn't ordinary silver jewelry. It was proof of identity as a core bloodline member of the Lawrence family.
Ryan snapped his head toward Evelyn, his expression impossibly complex.
No wonder.
No wonder Marcus had suddenly targeted Evelyn. No wonder this ring had appeared here.
That old fox Marcus must have figured it out too.
"Ryan? What's wrong?" His expression frightened her.
Ryan drew a deep breath. He gripped the ring tight, as if holding a secret that could shake all of New York.
He strode back and pulled Evelyn into his arms. "Nothing."
He whispered in her ear, an almost imperceptible tremor in his voice. "Evelyn, from now on, wherever you go, Vincent goes with you."
"Why?"
"Because this ring," Ryan released her and threaded the ring onto the platinum chain around her neck, settling it against her skin, "is worth far more than you know."
This was also the real reason Marcus had sent the ring back. It wasn't just a return. It was a silent warning.
...
Three days later, the New York fashion world buzzed with excitement once again.
The "Starlight Award," known as the Oscars of design, was about to begin.
An overseas call shattered the early morning quiet.
"Sophia."
On the other end, Professor Victoria Hayes's voice was as sharp and brisk as ever. "I've finished my lectures in Milan. Landing at JFK in two hours. Bring your latest sketches to pick me up. I want to see if all this romancing has rotted your brain."
Evelyn held the phone, but couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "I haven't disappointed you, Professor. I've been preparing."
She hung up and turned to see Ryan helping Elias organize his Lego blocks.
"Professor Hayes is back." Evelyn said. "I need to pick her up."
Ryan fitted the last block into place and stood, naturally reaching for his car keys. "I'll go with you. Vincent has the car ready downstairs."
...
JFK International Arrivals.
Plenty of fashion media had already caught wind of the news. They lined the exit with cameras ready.
Victoria Hayes was not only a titan of design but also notoriously sharp-tongued and impossible to please. Her return to New York after so many years was news in itself.
Evelyn and Ryan had just stepped into the VIP lounge when they spotted a familiar figure.
Valerie Aster wore haute couture, clutching an enormous bouquet of champagne roses, positioned front and center in the crowd.
Her makeup was flawless, chin raised high, as if she were the star of the show.
Spotting Evelyn, a flash of venom crossed Valerie's eyes. It quickly gave way to an exaggerated fake smile as she clicked over in her heels.
"Well, well. If it isn't 'Ryan Lawrence's girlfriend,' the flavor of the month."
Valerie deliberately stressed the title, her contemptuous gaze sweeping over Evelyn's simple outfit. "What, no bodyguards today? Or are you here to show Professor Hayes how you slept your way to the top?"
Ryan shot her an icy glance and was about to speak when Evelyn pressed his hand.
Evelyn stepped forward, looking Valerie straight in the eye, a cool smile playing at her lips. "Valerie, sometimes I really admire your persistence. Didn't embarrass yourself enough last time? Looking for a repeat performance in front of Professor Hayes?"
"You!" Valerie's face tightened, then twisted into a sneer. "Evelyn, don't get cocky. You think your slum upbringing impresses Professor Hayes? My father and she are old friends. This competition's trophy belongs to the Aster family."
She stroked her bouquet smugly. "Face reality. Some circles don't open just because you crawled into the right man's bed."
Just then, the automatic doors at the exit slid open.
The crowd stirred. Camera flashes exploded.
Victoria Hayes emerged, wheeling a simple suitcase.
Her silver hair was combed back without a strand out of place. Black-framed glasses. Her presence so commanding the very air seemed to freeze around her.
Valerie instantly plastered on her most perfect smile and hurried forward with the flowers, eager as a wagging puppy.
"Professor Hayes! Welcome back to New York! I'm Valerie from the Aster family. My father specifically asked me to..."
Professor Hayes didn't even break stride. She walked right past Valerie, frozen mid-sentence, and headed straight for Evelyn standing behind her.
Valerie's smile froze solid. Her outstretched hand hung awkwardly in midair. The expensive champagne roses now looked utterly ridiculous.
Stifled snickers rippled through the reporters. Shutters clicked even faster, perfectly capturing the mortifying moment.
"Professor." Evelyn stepped forward, eyes full of respect.
"You've gotten thinner." Professor Hayes looked her up and down. Her tone was as hard as ever, but those who knew her could hear the concern beneath the gruff exterior. "But your eyes are more determined than before. Seems the hardships of these years weren't for nothing."
She reached out and took Evelyn's hand. "Let's go. I don't like the air here. It reeks of cheap perfume and vanity."
The words struck Valerie like a resounding slap across the face.
Professor Hayes turned to Ryan. Her critical gaze lingered on him for a few seconds before she gave a rare nod of approval.
"Mr. Lawrence, good taste. Evelyn's talent is a gift from God. I hope you can live up to those expensive fabrics you've been providing."
Ryan inclined his head graciously. "That's my honor, Professor."
The three of them walked away in pleasant conversation, leaving Valerie with nothing but their retreating backs.