Chapter 2

Evelyn's emotions had swung wildly all day. After discussing the company's relocation with her parents, she stayed overnight at the Fitzgerald home.

Graham usually couldn't sleep unless Evelyn was beside him, yet he agreed almost immediately. She didn't need to guess who was keeping him company.

The image of Graham and Mara together lodged in Evelyn's mind like a thorn, leaving her sleep restless and shallow.

Half awake, she dreamed the same nightmare Graham had once described.

In the dream, Graham fell in love with the club waitress. Whenever that woman suffered any injury, he insisted Evelyn had caused it and punished Evelyn twice as harshly.

For protecting her, Sophie Carter was sent to prison and tormented to death. Evelyn's father died of a heart attack, and her mother's hair turned white overnight.

After Graham's men accused Evelyn of harming his beloved, they beat her until she miscarried and left her permanently unable to have children.

Evelyn woke with her pillow soaked in tears.

She rested a hand over her abdomen and stared into the darkness until dawn.

She would never allow that tragedy to happen.

That morning, Evelyn booked the earliest appointment with an obstetric specialist, but before she could leave, Sophie called.

"Ms. Fitzgerald, Graham lied to you. Mara was never fired!"

Remembering Sophie's fate in the dream, Evelyn immediately changed direction.

"Sophie, don't act impulsively.

"Your safety comes first. Wait until I get there."

By the time Evelyn reached Prescott Group, Graham's security guards had surrounded Sophie.

At least she hadn't been hurt yet.

Graham's expression shifted when he saw Evelyn, but he quickly recovered his executive composure and sneered at Sophie.

"You think bringing reinforcements will save you?"

The moment Sophie saw Evelyn, she angrily explained everything.

She had caught Mara behaving suspiciously near restricted files and thought she might be stealing or seeking revenge. Sophie restrained her, and Mara struck her forehead against the wall when she fell. Mara then accused Sophie of deliberately assaulting her.

Sophie had done nothing malicious, but no one connected to someone Graham cared about ever escaped unharmed.

Evelyn dug her nails into her palm and forced herself to stay calm.

"This was a misunderstanding. Sophie was protecting company property."

Mara suddenly dropped to her knees and exposed bruises on her arms while crying. "Ms. Fitzgerald, I'll leave Prescott Group. Please stop having people hurt me. Ms. Carter said she would beat me every time she saw me, and I'm in so much pain. I promise I'll never appear before you or Mr. Prescott again. Please show me mercy."

Graham looked at the bruises and asked Sophie coldly, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I didn't beat her. She's lying!" Sophie shouted.

Evelyn trusted Sophie. "Then review the security footage and see who's lying."

"Check it."

Graham gestured to one of his men.

Mara went pale and struck her forehead harder against the floor until blood covered her face. "I lied. Mr. Prescott, please don't argue with Ms. Fitzgerald because of me. Everything is my fault."

"As long as you aren't troubled because of me, I'll accept any punishment."

Pain crossed Graham's face as he helped Mara stand. "My feelings matter that much to you?"

Mara raised her tearful eyes stubbornly. "They matter more than anything."

"Foolish girl. You could leave a scar."

He lifted Mara into his arms. Before leaving, he gave Evelyn a frigid warning.

"Are you satisfied now, Evie?

"Either your assistant goes to prison, or she receives ten times the injuries Mara suffered. You choose."

The guards Graham left behind cracked their knuckles and closed in around the two women.

Evelyn stepped in front of Sophie. "Whoever touches her will answer to me."

One guard's eyes darkened. "Mr. Prescott ordered us to strike anyone who interfered."

Fists rained down on Evelyn and Sophie. They curled on the floor in pain with nowhere to escape.

Evelyn shielded her abdomen, but several blows still landed, tearing a groan from her throat.

Sophie was being beaten too, yet she threw herself over Evelyn. "It's my fault. Please stop. Don't hit Ms. Fitzgerald!"

"Stop!" Graham's friend Owen Brooks rushed in. "You're attacking the CEO's wife. Have you lost your minds?"

The guards finally halted and exchanged uneasy looks. "Mr. Prescott gave the order."

Owen was horrified. He helped Evelyn upright. "Evelyn, I'll take you to the hospital."

"No." White-faced, Evelyn supported Sophie as they limped out of Prescott Group together.

The moment they reached the sidewalk, Evelyn collapsed. "Sophie...my stomach..."