Chapter 17

Evelyn clenched her hands tightly as she explained calmly, “Just so you know, no one wants to get a sty.”

She did not want to explain herself, nor did she think it was necessary.

Lucas stared at her intently and emotionlessly.

Sophia huffed in frustration, exclaiming, “You’re just making excuses. You wouldn’t have admitted to anything if I didn’t catch you. What an annoying person! This is a homestay, and there are people here to handle everything from our food to our clothes. Why did you come? We don’t need you here.”

Throughout the three years of their marriage, she would always go to Lucas’ place during the weekends or the holidays whenever he wanted to escape her mother’s nagging.

Whenever she was there, Evelyn would always take care of his every need like a housekeeper.

Hence, Sophia had gotten used to such a dynamic that she subconsciously assumed that Evelyn was using the excuse of looking after her to ruin everyone’s mood.

“What’s happening here?” Jessica and Blake came out one after the other.

Blake looked at Evelyn standing alone with everyone against her and chuckled, “Mr. Grant, what’s causing the tense atmosphere?”

Although Sophia was young, she knew how to read a room. She knew Blake was Evelyn’s brother, so she pursed her lips and remained silent.

Evelyn, on the other hand, understood that Blake was offering her a way out of the mess and allowing them to move past the incident.

Turning to Jessica, Tiffany only said, “Let’s grab breakfast.”

Jessica wasn’t interested in whatever drama was happening, so she left with Tiffany.

Blake smiled nonchalantly as if he hadn’t noticed Evelyn’s humiliation. “Mr. Grant, I’ll leave you to handle your family matters. I’ll head over to accompany my girlfriend.”

He didn’t even care that Lucas was flaunting his affair in Evelyn’s face. He merely behaved like a bystander, refusing to interfere in whatever was going on.

Sophia still wanted to say something, but stopped when Lucas turned to look at her. She immediately quieted and fled.

Evelyn’s gaze followed Blake as he walked away. Then, Lucas’ voice snapped her back to reality. “What are you looking at?”

She looked up and met his dark gaze. He remained emotionless, continuing, “Shouldn’t we have a talk?”

“I wasn’t spying on you,” Evelyn defended calmly.

Seemingly believing her, he responded, “Alright. Give me your phone.”

Evelyn frowned. “Why?”

He glanced at her before he reached out and took her phone from her hand. Then, he went directly to her gallery.

Evelyn’s expression fell, and she was so shocked that her breath trembled. “Did you think I would…” Was he insulting her? “…take photos of you two?”

Lucas scanned her gallery. After seeing that there weren’t any inappropriate photos, he handed the phone back to her.

His deep, cold eyes bore into hers, and his detached tone utterly humiliated her. “Three years ago, you were able to call the press to take photos of us in bed. So, I don’t know if there’s anything that you’re incapable of doing.”

She understood that Lucas still blamed her for what had happened three years ago.

No matter how much she tried to explain herself, he remained convinced that she had taken advantage of her drunken state to sleep with him and that she had called the press to publicize what had happened, forcing him into marrying her.

She did not have any other evidence to convince him otherwise.

“It’s not like you’re afraid to make things public with Tiffany either,” she mentioned, finally calming down.

Looking at her, he retorted, “She’s different from you. Exposing such photos of her will only ruin her reputation.”

The meaning behind his words was clear. She was different from Tiffany. She had been despicable the day they slept together, while he would protect Tiffany’s…

Lucas had no intention of listening to Evelyn’s explanation as he gave her a cold look before turning to leave.

Evelyn smiled bitterly. As she turned the corner, she happened to see Blake leaning against the wall and smoking.

She didn’t know how much of their conversation he had overheard.

Blake looked up and asked, “Do you feel wronged?”

Evelyn froze momentarily. For a brief moment, she felt as if her Blake had returned to her.

Picking the ash from his cigarette, Blake spoke to her casually for the first time since he had been released from prison. “I’ve taken over one of Jessica’s father’s subsidiary companies. I’m currently working with Lucas’ company on a project.”

“So?” Evelyn asked in a surprisingly composed manner.

Blake looked at her, feeling that she had changed. Evelyn used to be gentle and obedient, but now she was sharp and confrontational. “So, don’t make him mad,” he replied nonchalantly.