Chapter 50: Your Husband is With His Mistress
Evelyn grabbed her jacket and pulled Sophie toward the door.
The vintage fabric shop was tucked away in an inconspicuous corner, the storefront tiny. Inside, the light was dim, and the air smelled of mothballs. Rolls of fabric in various colors were piled high, stacked from the floor to the ceiling.
Evelyn led the way. Sophie followed, her heart uneasy. Although the fabrics were unique, the colors and textures were drastically different from what the design required.
“Evelyn, this...”
After a moment, Evelyn pulled a deep blue velvet from a stack of silks. “This is it!”
Sophie leaned closer, frowning. “Evelyn, this piece isn't big enough, and there are several damaged spots in the middle.”
Indeed, though the quality was superior, the size was insufficient and would require splicing to meet the design needs. “Will splicing affect the overall look of the piece?”
“No, the seam can become our new design element.”
She took out her phone, opened the sketch, and quickly drew on the screen. “We can embroider interwoven iris vines with silver thread over the seam. That way, it’s not a flaw, but a unique embellishment.”
She showed the revised sketch to Sophie. Sophie’s eyes widened, moving from worry to surprise, and finally to admiration.
On Director Worth’s birthday, the orphanage courtyard was decorated with the children’s colorful balloons and crooked handwritten greetings. Sunlight streamed through the old locust tree’s branches, casting dappled light on the ground. The air was thick with the sweet scent of buttercream cake and children’s laughter. This was the orphanage where Evelyn grew up, the home of her entire childhood.
She and Sophie walked in, carrying large bags. One contained the embroidered shawl Evelyn had stayed up all night to finish for the Director, every stitch a sincere blessing. The other contained paintbrushes and picture books for the children. She remembered how much she had longed for her own box of paints as a child.
The courtyard was already lively. Long tables on the lawn were laden with cakes and refreshments. Many former orphans, now adults, had returned with their own families. The courtyard was filled with the sounds of children playing and adults chatting.
As Evelyn arrived, some people greeted her with friendly smiles, but more offered complex, unreadable looks—a mix of envy, jealousy, and subtle, malicious speculation. After all, everyone knew Evelyn, the sparrow who married into wealth, becoming the wife of Omni Group’s CEO, Damian Greenee.
“Well, look who it is! If it isn’t our high-and-mighty Mrs. Greenee!”
Evelyn didn't need to turn around to know it was Amy. Amy was adopted around the same time as her but was constantly jealous of everything, from the candies she received to the quality of the families they were adopted by, to the university she attended, and the husband she married.
Amy walked over, swaying her hips, holding a glass of brightly colored juice. She deliberately raised her voice to ensure everyone nearby could hear. “Why are you here alone? Where is Damian? Such an important day, why isn’t he with you? Oh, could it be... has he dumped you?”
The surrounding chatter instantly quieted. All eyes were on Evelyn.
Evelyn managed a slight smile, striving to maintain her composure. “The company is very busy lately.”
“Busy?” Amy laughed exaggeratedly. “Busy spending time with someone else, you mean?”
A woman who was close with Amy immediately chimed in. “Amy, you know, I did see Mr. Greenee out shopping with another woman at a jewelry store a few days ago.”
“That woman... I think her name was Sienna, his secretary. They looked very intimate.”
Another voice cut in. “I heard about that too! I heard Mr. Greenee rented the whole riverbank and set off fireworks for Miss Sienna’s birthday! A massive display!”
“Is that true? How is the real Mrs. Greenee supposed to show her face now?”
“Ha, is it really that rare for the legitimate wife to be less favored than the mistress?”
Every word was a barb aimed at Evelyn’s heart. She wanted to open her mouth and argue, to say it wasn't true, but not a single word escaped.
Just then, someone in the crowd let out a gasp of surprise. “Oh my God! Check your phone notifications!”
Immediately, everyone instinctively pulled out their phones.
[Breaking News! ‘Omni Group CEO Damian Greenee Celebrates Sienna’s Birthday, Sparing No Expense for a Riverbank Fireworks Show and Presenting a Multi-Million-Dollar ‘Heart of the Ocean’ Diamond Necklace!’]
The accompanying photo showed Damian leaning down to fasten a dazzling diamond necklace around Sienna’s neck. His profile was unbelievably tender—a look Evelyn had never seen directed at her. Sienna was gazing up at him, her face radiant with happiness. The backdrop was a magnificent river view and brilliant fireworks.
Slap!
The news was a resounding slap in Evelyn’s face.
“Tsk tsk. The legitimate wife is here celebrating the Director’s birthday, while her husband is setting off fireworks for his mistress. How pathetic.”
“I’ve always said women need their own careers. Being a housewife, you deserve to be abandoned.”
“If she hadn’t dropped out of school, she would be a famous designer by now. What a shame. She chose the wrong path.”
Sophie was shaking with anger and lunged forward to confront the group, but Evelyn held her back tightly.
Just then, an angry roar cut through all the noise. “Enough! All of you, shut up!”
Director Worth came forward, leaning on her cane, trembling. “How can you speak about Evelyn like that!”
Director Worth pointed at the people she had personally fed and raised, shaking with fury. “You ungrateful lot! Have you forgotten everything Evelyn has done for this orphanage over the years? She has never wronged anyone! It is that man who has wronged her!”
The Director’s words were loud and firm, causing the others to bow their heads in shame.
Amy mumbled under her breath, “It’s her own fault for not being able to keep her man...”
“You...” Director Worth’s face instantly changed.
“Director!”
Director Worth suddenly clutched her chest. The color instantly drained from her face. Her lips turned blue, and her body fell straight backward.
“Director!” Sophie screamed.
Evelyn’s mind went blank. Without thinking, she rushed forward, helping Sophie catch the Director’s collapsing body.
“Quick! Call for an ambulance!”
Sophie was already dialing. “Hello! Is this Emergency Services? This is St. Jude’s Orphanage! Someone is having a heart attack! Yes! Hurry!”