Chapter 205: The Proposal
Richard was a fox. After getting that one percent of the shares, he didn't relax. Instead, he spent the night bribing every major media outlet in New York.
Within six hours, all of Manhattan knew the news: Ryan Lawrence would formally propose to the Covington heiress at noon the next day, in the Crystal Ballroom of the Empire Hotel.
No invitations, no buildup—it was a trap. Richard had invited every socialite and arranged for twelve TV stations to broadcast live. He was going to weld that ring onto Ryan’s finger in front of the world, binding their interests forever.
Ryan was placed under soft house arrest in the main building. All his devices were confiscated for "wedding prep," and four guards followed him everywhere.
In the guest room, Evelyn watched the news while her fingers flew across her keyboard. She finished uploading the final evidence of Richard's laundering chain and tucked the encrypted drive into her pocket. To prevent them from lashing out, she had already contacted Bernie to move Elias to a safe house.
As long as the child was safe, she had no fears.
Knock, knock.
Evelyn shut her laptop. "Come in."
The door opened, and a nauseatingly strong perfume flooded the room. Camilla entered in a silk robe, carrying a tray with an opened bottle of wine and two glasses.
"Still awake?" Camilla smiled, kicking the door shut. She sat opposite Evelyn. "Tomorrow is the big day. I'm too excited to sleep. I figured you wouldn't be sleeping either, so I came to visit."
Evelyn leaned back. "Come to gloat?"
"Don't be so bitter." Camilla poured two glasses. "I’m here to give you a way out." She pushed a glass toward Evelyn.
"I know you might have some dirt, or you’re hoping Ryan will flip the table for you. But you see the news. After tomorrow, I am the legal mistress of the Lawrences." Camilla’s eyes looked sinister in the light. "If you drink this and disappear with some cash tomorrow morning, I can guarantee that little brat Elias grows up safely. Otherwise..."
A blatant threat using the child as a pawn. Evelyn’s hands tightened on her knees, but she let a look of hesitation and fear cross her face.
"You mean it?" Evelyn’s voice trembled.
"Of course." Camilla smirked. "I wouldn't bother lying to a discarded woman like you."
Evelyn stared at the wine. It was cloudy, with too much sediment. In her years at the orphanage, she had seen every dirty trick. This wine was laced with heavy sedatives. Camilla wanted her to sleep through the ceremony—or maybe have an "accident" while she was out cold.
"Fine." Evelyn picked up the glass. "I hope you keep your word."
She tilted her head back. Camilla’s eyes were fixed on her throat, glittering with malice. Evelyn swallowed hard, a few drops of red wine trailing down her chin.
"Cough, cough!"
Evelyn coughed violently as if it went down the wrong pipe. She rushed to the bathroom. "It’s too strong... I'm going to be sick..."
"What a peasant. This is an '82 Lafite," Camilla muttered, rolling her eyes. She stayed put, listening to the sounds of gagging from the bathroom.
After some splashing water, Evelyn emerged looking weak and dazed. "My head is spinning..." She leaned against the wall.
"Working already?" Camilla whispered to herself. She stood up and sneered. "Just go to sleep. When you wake up, it’ll all be over." She faked a helpful gesture to steady Evelyn, but actually pinched her arm hard to check for a reaction. Satisfied, she left.
The moment the door clicked shut, the limp Evelyn snapped her eyes open. There was no weakness left in her gaze. She rushed to the bathroom, spat out the wine she had held under her tongue, and rinsed her mouth repeatedly. The gagging had just been a cover to spit the wine into a towel.
Evelyn looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were like blades. If you want to play dirty, then I’m flipping the table.
Noon the next day.
The Crystal Ballroom was a palace of light and thousands of white roses. Flashbulbs popped incessantly. Ryan stood in the center of the stage in a perfect black tux, his hair meticulously styled. But his face was a mask of coldness.
The crowd was packed. Richard Covington sat in the front row, glowing with pride as people congratulated him. Camilla, in a million-dollar gown, stood at the other end of the red carpet, waiting for her moment.
The music started. Ryan’s feet felt like lead. Every step was a countdown. Bernie’s people should be in place. The police were downstairs. But he had to finish this last step; only by exposing the lie in front of the world could he bury Richard for good.
He reached Camilla. She offered her hand, her eyes full of greed. "Ryan, even if your heart is elsewhere, I’m the one who wins."
Ryan didn't speak. He mechanically took the velvet box from a waiter. He dropped to one knee. The sound of camera shutters became a roar.
"Marry me," Ryan said.
Just as Camilla reached for the ring, just as Richard prepared to stand and clap—
BANG!
The heavy ballroom doors were slammed open. The sound cut through the wedding march. Everyone turned in shock. A woman stood there.
Not a cop. Not a guard. Evelyn.
She was in a sharp white suit, a black folder in her hand, her hair in a high ponytail. Her aura was so fierce that no one dared look away.
"You can't propose," Evelyn’s voice cut through the hall.
Camilla’s face turned white with terror. "How are you here? You're supposed to be..." She had watched her drink the wine!
Several guards moved to block her. "I'm sorry, ma'am. This is a private event."
"Private?" Evelyn sneered, holding up the folder. "I am a consultant for Nova Group, and I was invited."
"Get her out of here! She’s crazy!" Richard roared, standing up. "Security! Do your jobs!"
The guards reached for her. "Mr. Lawrence gave orders. No interruptions to his happiness!" the lead guard growled. He was Richard’s man.
On stage, Ryan snapped the ring box shut. The click echoed through the microphone. He stood up, ripped the boutonniere from his chest, and threw it to the ground.
"When did I ever say she was an interruption?" Ryan stepped off the stage, his gaze lethal. "Anyone who touches her loses a hand!"