Chapter 284

Chapter 284
Evelyn's POV

I scanned the crowded hall of the Sunset Ridge Estates conference center, searching for Hunter but not seeing him anywhere. Not that I was surprised—we'd agreed he should stay hidden until the right moment.

The bouquet of white lilies and blue hydrangeas felt heavy in my arms, their sweet scent almost overwhelming in the warm room. I'd told Dorian they were for him, for luck, but the truth was I'd brought them for Hunter. My head felt light, either from the intense floral fragrance or the nervousness coursing through my veins.

I spotted Daniel and several of Dorian's friends entering the conference hall in their custom-tailored suits, all sharp angles and polished shoes. They moved with the casual confidence that came with belonging to the Beverly Hills elite.

Marcus walked past me, nodding politely in my direction. His eyes held a meaningful look that sent a shiver down my spine. He knew what was coming. He'd provided the USB drive that was currently destroying Dorian's presentation from the inside out.

In the corner of the room, I noticed Dorian and Daniel engaged in an intense conversation. Dorian's jaw was clenched, and Daniel kept gesturing with his hands, his expression agitated.

I moved closer, pretending to admire the elaborate floral arrangements decorating the hall while straining to catch their words.

"It's fucking weird, man," Daniel was saying. "How the hell did they know? I hadn't even left when the cops showed up. They came straight for me."

"You're being paranoid," Dorian replied, his voice low but firm. "I was with Evelyn the entire time before I got that call about you being taken in. Her phone was with me too. What are you trying to say?"

Daniel's eyes flickered in my direction before returning to Dorian. "I'm just saying it's a hell of a coincidence."

"Don't," Dorian warned, his tone dropping dangerously. "Don't even think about suggesting she had anything to do with it."

I turned away, heart pounding. If only he knew what I was capable of. What I'd already done.

The heavy wooden doors to the main conference room closed with a thud as the meeting officially began. The enormous projection screen at the front displayed the logos of all competing companies. I took a seat in the back row, just as I'd told Dorian I would.

From my position, I could see Dorian opening his laptop. Daniel, sitting beside him, noticed Dorian's screensaver—a photo of me.

"Jesus," Daniel muttered, loud enough for me to hear in the momentary quiet. "What is it about her that's got you so whipped?"

Dorian didn't answer, focused instead on preparing his presentation.

An hour into the meeting, after sitting through three other pitches, I watched Dorian rise gracefully and walk to the podium. He looked devastating in his all-black bespoke suit, moving with the easy confidence of a man accustomed to commanding rooms. The silver tie clip I'd given him glinted under the lights.

As the architectural renderings appeared on screen, I remembered how excitedly he'd explained his vision for Sunset Ridge Estates. "Your hospital and my office tower will be right next to each other," he'd said. "We can commute together, have lunch dates whenever we want."

I thought of all the nights he'd stayed up working on this project, the passion he'd poured into every detail. This bid represented months of Dorian's work, and he'd staked his professional reputation on winning it.

Whispers and gasps suddenly rippled through the audience. My stomach dropped. I knew what was happening—the program on the USB drive had activated.

The architectural rendering on the screen flickered and disappeared, replaced by a photo I'd already seen. Sage had shown it to me with smug satisfaction just days ago. There was Dorian, his broad back clearly recognizable, in bed with my sister. Her wheelchair was visible at the edge of the frame.

Daniel jumped to his feet. "What the fuck is this?"

The murmuring in the room grew louder.

"Isn't that the Ashford girl? The younger one?"

"That's Mrs. Blackwood's sister, isn't it?"

I felt every eye in the room turning toward me. The whispers would spread through Beverly Hills elite circles like wildfire.

"This is bullshit!" Daniel shouted. "That picture is fake! Someone tampered with the presentation!"

Dorian stood frozen at the podium, his face pale with shock. Then he moved, striding directly toward me. He crouched down beside my chair, his gray-green eyes searching mine.

"Evelyn, it's not what it looks like..." His voice was rough, strangled.

I couldn't speak. My emotions churned like a storm inside me.

He took my hand in his, holding it tightly. "I don't know what happened that night. I'll explain everything when we get back to Blackwood Estate. Don't be upset. It's not what you think."

"You're asking me to believe you?" I finally managed, trying to pull my hand away.

He gripped it tighter. "I never meant to keep anything from you. I never meant to lie." His voice cracked. "Please, Evelyn. Trust me."

I stared at him, this man I'd planned to ruin, and felt something crack inside me. "How can I?"

"You know me," he whispered. "You know me better than anyone. Whatever happened... whatever this is... we'll figure it out together."

Behind us, the chaos continued to unfold. Daniel had taken control of the podium, apologizing for the "technical difficulties" and attempting to restore order. But the damage was done.

The scandal was out in the open now, unable to be contained. Just as Hunter and I had planned.

So why didn't I feel triumphant? Why was there this hollow ache in my chest as I looked at Dorian's desperate, pleading face?