nterest in clearing. She wanted nothing more to do with their lives, yet Tessa managed to shove her new real

with bare white walls, a partitioned bathroom, and secondhand furniture that rattled when

lly pushed Evelina past her limit. She intended to block Tess

sunlit living room, glittering with a rainbow of jewelry and a p

s is what my parents gave me: wedding gifts

scattered across tufted beds, rows of couture dresses and diamonds sparkling in the light. Even the family group chat screenshots stung: A

t family-close-knit, glamorous, and overf

lips. The family chat group consisted of on

o strong-arm her into that arranged marriage, all whi

erwise, the Dawson family will just take everything once you move in

d at how naïve she'd been to fe

on with glittering jewelry and luxury gifts, terrified their precious girl might suffer after marryi

ssa. Her reputation was already in ruins; they probably wished

ng on a high-necked undershirt beneath her uniform, she hid the fresh marks that mo

of the country's top private banks with branch

application before landing in the hands of the department director, Jordy B

e couldn't use sign language during client meetin

nce and business management-had prompted Rise Ban

olely on credentials. Her schoolmate, Jordy, had p

right Group's credit documents-dig in as soon as you can. Leadership wants us to nail down a relationship with t

vorite among the younger women in the office, th

composure betraying no hint of nerves. She had managed credit

ut of town on the third-flying to Otresh for meetings. You'l

ornate, crimson invita

ssed Evelina's face as she

as he reached over to ruffle her hair-a gesture that lingered a second too long. "A

chose not to dwell on it. She quickly lifted her hands,

ncern. "All you have to do is show up, use my invitation, and hand over the gift

ed the thought of stumbling or making a scene-anything th

ding this Wright Group deal is crucial for us. My dad pulled some string

d this-walking into a banquet with the city's elite-was a small price compared to all he'd done. Plen

rves, and signed her agreement, a grateful sm

ted with activity-valets darted between a parad

st her side. Rather than mingle with the fleet of luxury vehicles, she slippe

mposed presence drew more than a fe

to a standstill, heads in designer

d slim waist artfully showcased by intricate tailoring. She wore her hair in a simple, low ponytail,

by the door, ushered

ed to a halt at the front of the drive, calmly claiming the

, his long legs casually crossed. His expression betrayed nothing but

he butler standing beside his car. "So Grand

e wanted you to start immersing yourself in the company's business. Her plan was to

efficiency, ignoring the annoyed drivers in the luxury cars behind them, all desperate to attend

tyard, assembling a lavish dessert display while elegant guests mingled beside the music-flecked fount

merizing eyes drawing lingering glances from everyone he passed-yet his de

he city's privileged young ladies, yet none dared approach-his

to the attendant and slipped away to the edge of the crowd. She pressed a hand to her temple,

d for days, each bout of naus

cut through the noise. "Ev

in a dazzling dress. Every gesture was staged for effect-the way she swirled he

had chosen for her own engagement party-now glinting s

nd moved to slip away, but Tessa, with a practiced turn,

g about your little scandal. If I were you, I'd have the decenc

quiet disdain. She watched Tessa's theatrics, easily reading the script-provoke he

ploy. With an icy composure, Evelina tu

her elaborate gown. The heavy skirt snagged, and

pyramid of champagne flutes toppled with her, the shattering echo