Chapter 97
On the other end of the line, Vanessa Delacroix was sobbing uncontrollably.
“That wretched Evelyn knew Archibald never liked me, yet she keeps using him against me! She’s a conniving, shameless snake!”
Sebastian Blackwood barely registered Vanessa’s words, his gaze locked on Evelyn Sinclair instead.
Evelyn was crying openly, her emotions raw and unrestrained. Each tear that slipped down her cheeks sent a sharp pang through Sebastian’s chest.
“What’s wrong, my dear? You’re frightening me,” Archibald Blackwood murmured, his weathered face creased with concern. Despite his years of experience, a woman’s tears still unsettled him.
Evelyn’s voice trembled as she confessed, “Grandpa, I—I broke the bracelet! I tried so hard to fix it, but I couldn’t… I thought I could make a new one just like it, but I was terrified you’d be furious when you found out.”
She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. “I’m so sorry for lying to you, Grandpa. I’m so sorry!”
Her hands were slick with tears, her usually composed demeanor shattered. She looked utterly broken.
Sebastian stood frozen, realization dawning. Now he understood why Evelyn had been so secretive these past few days—why her fingers were marred with calluses. She had been painstakingly recreating the bracelet Archibald had given her.
The sight of her distress twisted something inside him.
“Oh, child, it’s just a trinket,” Archibald said gently, taking her hands in his. “I knew the moment you walked in that it wasn’t the same one. I suspected it had broken—otherwise, you’d have been wearing it as usual.”
He smiled warmly. “I won’t scold you, Evelyn. Diana had chests full of bracelets. I wanted to give them all to you, but I feared you’d refuse. So I picked the finest one and found an excuse to gift it to you.”
His voice softened with nostalgia. “Diana used to joke that her collection was a burden.”
Evelyn’s sobs quieted, though her eyes remained red-rimmed, her nose flushed.
“Sebastian! Where the hell are you, you ungrateful brat?” Archibald smacked the armrest of his wheelchair, his voice booming. “Get in here and comfort your wife!”
Vanessa’s voice crackled through the phone. “Sebastian, don’t you dare hang up! We’re not finished—”
“I have to go,” he said curtly, ending the call before she could protest.
On the other end, Vanessa’s breath came in sharp, furious gasps. Her face burned with rage.
“That vile witch Evelyn! I’ll make her pay for this!”
She immediately dialed Isabella Montclair.
“Aunt Isabella, I need your help! That scheming Evelyn is with Sebastian at Archibald’s villa right now!” Her voice broke into fresh tears. “If this continues, he’ll fall for her! He used to drop everything when I asked him to visit, but now—he hung up on me!”
She let out a choked sob. “Aunt Isabella, if I don’t marry into the Blackwood family, I won’t be able to assist you anymore. All the skills you taught me will be wasted!”
She knew mere pleading wouldn’t sway Isabella—but implying the older woman’s plans were at risk? That would get her attention.
“Calm yourself, Vanessa,” Isabella said smoothly. “You know Sebastian’s temperament. Pushing him will only backfire, like last time. He still remembers how you manipulated Evelyn.”
Her tone turned calculating. “But he also remembers your childhood kindness. Don’t jeopardize that. Play the victim—make him pity you. As long as I’m on your side, Evelyn doesn’t stand a chance.”
Meanwhile, Sebastian strode into the study.
“Grandfather.”
“Are you deaf?” Archibald snapped. “Didn’t you hear Evelyn crying? Were you just going to ignore her?”
Without hesitation, he began issuing orders, determined to make his grandson fix the mess he’d caused.
