Chapter Six

Evelyn's POV

I tried to slip away quietly, hoping they wouldn’t spot me. But walking off wasn’t easy. The moment I saw them together, old memories crashed over me like a wave.

There they stood, Clarissa and Vincent, wrapped in each other’s arms, flashing perfect smiles for the camera. My stomach twisted. My fists clenched so tight that my nails bit into my palms, sharp pain shot through my hand but I didn't let go. My heart slammed against my ribs, loud and furious, like it wanted to burst out.

I wanted to storm over there and smash my fist into their faces.

I had been unsure about Lucien before. Not anymore. Now I was certain.

The world doesn’t favor the weak. If I want to bring Clarissa and Vincent to their knees, I need power, and I need it badly.

I turned away, sipping my drink slowly as I moved through the crowd. I found a quiet spot with a clear view of Lucien. He sat there, completely focused on the performers, looking flawless. His hair was perfectly styled, his posture straight and confident. He had this powerful presence that filled the room without even trying.

How do people like him do it so naturally?

I straightened my back and pushed my chest out, trying to copy his confident look. Instead, I felt ridiculous, like a kid playing dress-up.

“Thank you, thank you,” the MC said. “Before we continue, I’d like to appreciate one of our biggest sponsors, Mr. Lucien Alexander.”

The room erupted in applause. Lucien flashed a wide, easy smile and raised his hand in a casual wave. “Please come up and say a few words to the crowd,” the MC urged.

Lucien stood up smoothly and walked to the stage with graceful steps. Even as he stood there under the lights, still smiling, it was clear this was nothing new for him. He belonged in the spotlight.

How could someone like me ever fit into his world? I hated being the center of attention. Public speaking made my stomach churn.

I leaned forward, eager to hear what he would say. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me. I looked up sharply.

It was Clarissa.

Clarissa stood in front of me, a glass of wine in her right hand and the other resting on her hip. A smug smirk played on her lips.

“You really thought I wouldn’t notice you?” she said, taking a slow sip.

I let out a heavy sigh and forced a smile onto my face, trying to bury the hot anger rising in my chest. The last thing I needed was a scene here. I could endure this for now. Once I had “Alexander” added to my name, she wouldn’t know how to smile anymore.

I turned my head away, ignoring her.

“How the hell did you sneak in here, bitch?” she snapped. Her free hand shot out and grabbed my chin, yanking my face back toward her.

My fists clenched tight, nails digging into my palms. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, fighting to keep my breathing steady. Stay calm. Nothing can ruin this now.

“Honey,” a familiar voice called out, the same voice that used to make my heart flutter, all I felt now was the urge to burn this man down.

Clarissa spun around. Vincent walked up, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “Not here, my love,” he whispered, kissing her again and again while she giggled like a schoolgirl.

My jaw tightened.

“You know we need Mr. Lucien’s favor,” Vincent said in a smooth, comforting voice. “We can’t cause a scene here. He hates that.”

Clarissa nodded quickly. Vincent shot me one last cold, hateful glare before taking her hand and leading her away.

The moment they passed me, I turned my eyes back to Lucien. But his speech was already over, and the room filled with loud applause. I clapped along, my palms still tingling from earlier tension.

He stepped down from the podium, and people immediately began crowding around him, chatting and waiting to greet him. This was my chance.

I stood up, trying to move with grace, and started walking toward him. Suddenly, my foot caught on something. My body lurched forward. I flailed, heart slamming in my chest, barely managing to steady myself without crashing into the waiter right in front of me.

His tray tilted. Glasses of wine flew through the air and smashed against the floor with a loud, sharp crash. The entire room fell silent. Every pair of eyes turned toward me.

I stood frozen, heat rushing up my neck and into my face. My mouth opened, but no words came out. I had no idea what to say or do.

“She did it,” Clarissa’s voice rang out behind me, sharp and accusing. “She was clumsy and pushed him.”

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no words came out. My throat felt tight and dry.

I glanced down at the floor, searching for whatever had tripped me. Nothing. Not even a loose carpet or a stray wire. When I looked back at Clarissa, her lips curved into a triumphant smirk that made my stomach drop. She had set me up. This was her doing.

“How did a low-life like her even get in here and cause a scene?” she yelled, her voice loud enough for the whole room to hear.

The words “cause a scene” hit me like a slap. My head snapped up, eyes frantically scanning the crowd for Lucien. Part of me prayed he wasn’t watching, even though I knew it was hopeless.

Just as I was about to give up, our eyes met.

Lucien stared straight at me, his gaze cold and sharp, heavy with disappointment. The look on his face made my chest tighten painfully.

I dropped my eyes to the floor, heat burning across my cheeks. How had things gone so wrong? Why did the universe always seem to be against me? Was I destined to lose every time?

Just when I thought I was finally getting close, my so-called luck had dragged me this far only to humiliate me in front of everyone.

“I know their type,” Clarissa said loudly. “They sneak into events like this and steal whatever they can.”

My eyes flew wide open. Shock hit me first, then hot anger surged through my chest. I’d had enough of her lies. I refused to stand there and let her call me a thief in front of everyone.

“My gold bangles are gone!” a woman suddenly shrieked from the crowd.

Before I could snap back at Clarissa, she pointed straight at me. “Search this thief. I’m sure she took them.” Her eyes gleamed with a cruel “you’re finished” look.

I knew Clarissa too well. This was a trap. It was no coincidence that right after she accused me of stealing, someone’s bangles went missing.

I couldn’t let them search me.

“Stop,” I said, my voice ringing out with forced confidence. “I didn’t steal anything, and you have no right to search me. That’s disrespectful.”

Clarissa smirked. “If you didn’t steal, then why are you so scared of being searched? And why should we believe you when it’s obvious you sneaked in here?”

“I didn’t sneak in,” I shot back. “I came with an important guest — someone you really don’t want to mess with.”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. I prayed they would get me out of this nightmare.

Clarissa clutched her chest dramatically, her voice dripping with mockery. “Oh no, I’m so scared. Was that a threat?”

She turned to the crowd. “I saw her, believe me, she has the bangles.”

My stomach dropped as two guards started pushing through the crowd toward me. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs. This couldn’t be happening.

One guard reached from behind to grab my arm while the other snatched at my purse.

“Lay one finger on my fiancée and you’re a dead man.”