LOGINEvelyn didn't sleep that night.The message kept replaying in her mind.Now ask Adrian why Victor wanted his company.She had tried to dismiss it.She had tried to believe it was another attempt to make her suspicious.But there was one problem.Victor had mentioned Adrian during their meeting.Not directly.But when Adrian had questioned him about the transfer of Carter International's shares, Victor had looked at him strangely.Evelyn had noticed.She just hadn't understood why.Now she did.Or at least, she thought she did.She turned in bed and looked at Adrian.He was asleep beside her.For years, she had wanted a husband who would stay.Someone who would choose her even when things became difficult.Adrian had done that.He had stood beside her through the Blackwood scandal, Richard's crimes, her mother's death, and e
Evelyn stared at her phone.DNA RESULTS AVAILABLE.For several seconds, she couldn't bring herself to open the message.After everything they had uncovered, she was afraid of what another answer might destroy.Adrian noticed her expression.“What is it?”Evelyn slowly turned the phone toward him.His eyes widened.“The test?”She nodded.“Clara and Alexander.”Adrian stood.“Let's go.”---They found Clara at the Blackwood estate.She was sitting alone in the garden, staring at an old photograph of her mother.When Evelyn approached, Clara immediately looked up.“You got the results?”Evelyn nodded.“They're ready.”Clara's fingers tightened around the photograph.“I don't know if I want to know.”Evelyn sat beside her.“I understand.”“What if Alexander isn't my fa
Nobody spoke for several seconds.Clara was still staring at the photograph in Evelyn's hands.Her eyes were filled with disbelief.“No,” she whispered again. “That can't be true.”Alexander stood frozen beside the desk.“I thought I was your father,” he said quietly.Clara looked at him.“You are.”Her voice broke.“You are my father.”Alexander swallowed hard.“Clara, I don't want you to doubt that.”“But the letter…”“I know.”He looked at Evelyn.“Where did Anna get this information?”“We don't know yet.”Adrian stepped closer.“Then we shouldn't make a decision based on one letter.”Daniel nodded.“That is exactly what I was going to say.”Clara wiped her tears.“Then we need a DNA test.”Alexander immediately nodded.“Yes.”Clara looked at him.“W
The next morning, Evelyn arrived at Blackwood Holdings earlier than usual.She placed Clara's mother's diary on her desk and stared at it.One sentence kept running through her mind.Alexander doesn't know the truth about Victor.If that was true, then her father had been unknowingly connected to a man who had been hiding something from him for years.And now that same man was trying to intimidate her.A knock sounded.“Come in.”Adrian entered.“You've been here long?”“About an hour.”He looked at the diary.“Any new information?”“Nothing useful.”Evelyn pushed the diary toward him.“Victor Carter. That's the name.”Adrian sat down.“We've already searched the company records.”“And?”“Victor Carter doesn't appear anywhere in Blackwood's current records.”Evelyn frowned.“But he worked with Ric
Three months passed.Life had finally become peaceful.Evelyn had settled into her new role at Blackwood Holdings, while the foundation had started accepting its first group of young women.Clara worked beside her, and their relationship had grown stronger every day.For the first time, Evelyn had someone she could call her sister.But peace never lasted forever.One Monday morning, Evelyn walked into the company and immediately noticed the strange silence.Employees avoided her eyes.She frowned.“What happened?”Her assistant stood quickly.“Mrs. Blackwood, there was a meeting this morning.”“With whom?”“The board.”Evelyn's expression changed.“Why wasn't I informed?”Her assistant hesitated.“I think you should speak with Mr. Collins.”Evelyn immediately walked toward the conference room.When she opened the d
The next morning, Evelyn woke with a strange sense of peace.For the first time in months, there wasn't a question waiting for her when she opened her eyes.She knew who her mother was.She knew who her father was.She knew what had happened.And most importantly, she knew that none of it was her fault.Adrian was already awake.He was sitting against the headboard, watching her.“You're smiling.”Evelyn touched her face.“I am?”“Yes.”“Maybe I'm happy.”He smiled.“That's allowed.”She moved closer to him.“I want to do something today.”“What?”“Go to the foundation.”Adrian raised an eyebrow.“On your first free morning?”“Yes.”“You really don't know how to relax.”Evelyn laughed.“I've spent too much time surviving. I want to start living.”Adrian kissed her forehead.“Then let's live.”---By midday, Evelyn stood inside the new foundation building.It wasn't large yet.But it was bright, welcoming, and filled with possibilities.The first group of young women would arrive the f







