Chapter 203

Evelyn Sinclair propped her chin on her hands, elbows resting lightly on the coffee table. She tilted her head slightly, studying Victoria Ashford with an amused glint in her eyes.

One beat. Two beats. Three.

Silence stretched between them.

When no answer came, Evelyn's lips curved into a knowing smile.

Victoria's usually composed expression flickered—just for a second—before irritation darkened her gaze. "I simply can't stand watching you treat people like disposable options."

Her words were sharp, deliberate.

Evelyn arched a brow. "Oh?"

"Am I wrong?" Victoria countered, her voice icy. "Sebastian Hart clearly has feelings for you, yet you keep stringing him along. Isn't that exactly what you're doing?"

Isabella Montgomery scoffed, crossing her arms. "Since when has Evelyn ever led Sebastian on? What do you even know about their relationship?"

Victoria's jaw tightened, but she didn’t back down. "Just because you're close friends, it's acceptable for Ms. Sinclair to play with his emotions without remorse?"

Evelyn's patience snapped.

"Play with his emotions?" she repeated, her voice dangerously soft. "Ms. Ashford, which part of my actions gave you that impression? Sebastian is the one who chose to cross the line from friendship. I’ve made my stance clear—repeatedly."

Her fingers tapped lightly against the table. "If anything, I’m the one exhausted from having to reject him over and over."

Victoria’s lips pressed into a thin line. "If you don’t return his feelings, you should cut him off completely. Keeping him around while knowing how he feels—that’s cruel."

Evelyn let out a dry laugh. "So, according to you, rejecting someone means burning every bridge? Erasing years of friendship?"

Victoria didn’t answer, but her silence was confirmation enough.

Ridiculous.

Evelyn leaned back, studying Victoria’s rigid posture. This little interrogation had clearly been planned.

She and Sebastian had been friends since childhood. She had ignored his advances, rejected him outright—multiple times. She owed him nothing beyond basic decency.

And yet, here Victoria was, acting as if Evelyn had committed some unforgivable sin.

"You know," Evelyn mused, her tone light but edged with steel, "I get the feeling you’ve never had to reject anyone before."

Victoria stiffened.

"Not every friendship has to turn romantic. Sebastian was the one who wanted more. I didn’t encourage it." Evelyn shrugged. "If I had, I would’ve accepted his proposal by now."

The unspoken words hung in the air: The problem isn’t me. It’s him.

Victoria’s expression darkened. "Or maybe you’re just keeping him as a backup while you explore other options."

Isabella slammed her hands on the table, rising to her feet. "Are you serious right now? Evelyn has been nothing but clear with Sebastian. If you’re so obsessed with him, go after him yourself! Don’t blame Evelyn because he doesn’t like you."

A flicker of something raw passed over Victoria’s face—hurt, frustration, maybe even humiliation. But she was a seasoned businesswoman. She knew how to mask her emotions.

Within seconds, her composure returned.

"Who Sebastian likes is irrelevant," she said coolly. "I simply don’t approve of Ms. Sinclair toying with people’s feelings."

Isabella looked ready to explode. Evelyn caught her wrist, pulling her back down.

"Enough," Evelyn murmured. "This is pointless."

Victoria’s smile was frosty. "Taking that as your admission, Ms. Sinclair?"

Evelyn stood, smoothing her skirt. Then she turned, meeting Victoria’s gaze head-on. Her lips curved into a slow, mocking smile.

"Ms. Ashford," she said sweetly, "my life is none of your business. If you don’t like what you see?" She leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then look away."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, Isabella right behind her.

Victoria’s fists clenched at her sides.

But Evelyn didn’t glance back.