Chapter 13

Evelyn's POV

I stormed into the living room, my Louboutins clicking against the marble floor as I paced back and forth. I could feel my parents' and Ian's eyes following my every movement, but I couldn't care less. The absolute audacity of what had just happened at that restaurant - me, Evelyn Whitmore, being asked to leave? The very thought made my blood boil.

"You won't believe what just happened," I spat out, spinning to face my family. "That supposedly exclusive 'Le Jardin' restaurant actually had the nerve to kick me out! And guess who I saw there? Serena Sinclair, dining with some strange man and a child, acting like she owned the place!"

Ian's face darkened at the mention of his ex-wife, while my mother's perfectly manicured nails drummed against her crystal wine glass. "Serena certainly has developed quite the attitude lately," Grace remarked, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Le Jardin?" My father's brow furrowed. "Isn't that one of the Yeager family's establishments?"

I nodded emphatically. "Exactly! Nina and I specifically chose it because it's supposed to be paparazzi-free and high-end, but-" I stopped mid-sentence as a thought struck me. Drew Yeager. Of course! That pathetic excuse for a man who'd spent half of college trying to date me. "Oh my God, this must be Drew's doing. He's still bitter that I rejected him!"

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. A small, smug smile played at my lips. "How juvenile can he be? Using his family's restaurant to get my attention? As if I'd ever lower myself to date someone like him!"

My self-satisfied musings were interrupted by my phone's shrill ring. My agent's name flashed across the screen. "What now?" I answered irritably.

"Evelyn, have you managed to offend someone influential recently?" Her voice was tense. "The director just called. They're... they're recasting your role."

"WHAT?!" I nearly dropped my phone, my heart thundering in my chest. This couldn't be happening. This was my big break, the role that could propel me to the top.

My eyes burned with angry tears as I listened to her continue about the production company, Vanguard Media. Ian's head snapped up at the mention of the company name.

"Vanguard Media? That's under Harrington International Holdings," he said slowly. "Evelyn, did you somehow manage to offend the Harrington family?"

"Of course not!" I snapped. "I don't even know any of them!"

"Unless..." Ian's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Drew Yeager and Lucas Harrington are close friends. If Drew wanted to cause trouble..."

My hands clenched into fists. "That sneaky little weasel! He's behind all of this, using his connection with Lucas Harrington to ruin my career!"

"You know," Ian said carefully, "you could try talking to Drew. Or better yet, Lucas Harrington himself. Remember when Dad suggested that match? If you'd considered marrying Lucas-"

"Are you out of your mind?" I whirled on him. "Marry a man with baggage? Become someone's stepmother? I'd rather deal with Drew's petty revenge than stoop to that level!"

Ian shrugged, clearly done with the conversation. "Your choice, sis."

Lucas's POV

The night stretched beyond the tinted windows of my Bentley, its neon-lit darkness a fitting backdrop to my thoughts. Drew's call came just as I was reviewing some documents.

"You've been avoiding our gatherings, yet you had time to visit my restaurant and have someone removed?" Drew's voice carried its usual mix of complaint and amusement. "Should I be honored?"

"Thanks," I replied simply, my attention still half on the papers in front of me.

"Come on, Lucas! Was there a woman involved? You've never shown any interest in women." Drew's laugh echoed through the speaker. "I was starting to think Milo and Stella just appeared out of nowhere."

I glanced at my watch. "Work call coming in."

"For fuck's sake, Lucas-" I ended his protest with a tap on the screen, switching to Miles's incoming call.

"Mr. Harrington, about the TV series Vanguard Media is investing in," Miles began carefully. "The female lead is currently Evelyn Whitmore. Production starts next month."

"Replace her." My voice left no room for argument.

"Sir?" Miles hesitated. "The Whitmore family-"

"Tell them we have someone more suitable in mind."

"Would that be... Ms. Sinclair?"

My jaw tightened. "Watch your words, Miles. Eleanor Yates will take the role."

"Yes, sir. Right away."

Eventually, I'm in a private room at one of Manhattan's most exclusive clubs, Drew's persistence finally wearing me down. Eight years since we'd last shared a drink like this. Spencer and Jace were already there, the four of us falling into old rhythms.

"Time flies," Drew mused, raising his glass. "Let's drink properly tonight, Lucas."

His phone rang, and his expression soured as he checked the screen. "Evelyn Whitmore," he announced with a roll of his eyes, answering it on speaker.

"Drew Yeager, you pathetic, juvenile-" Her shrill voice filled the room.

Drew hung up mid-rant. "Crazy woman," he muttered, taking another drink."Who is it?" Spencer asked, eyes locked on Drew's scowl.

Drew shot back, clearly annoyed. "Evelyn Whitmore."

Spencer laughed, shaking his head. "Back in high school, weren't you into her? How come you don't feel the same now?!"

Drew rolled his eyes, taking a swig from his drink. "What's that supposed to mean?! We were young. Did you like every pretty girl you saw? If I have to say it, I actually preferred Serena Sinclair. She's definitely the most beautiful!"

I felt my grip on the glass tighten, the coolness of the bourbon doing nothing to soothe my nerves. Jace Gillard jumped into the conversation. "Speaking of Serena, didn't her engagement party with Ian Whitmore fall through recently? I heard the Whitmores used that as an excuse not to marry her anymore."

Drew leaned back, clearly irritated. "The Whitmores are probably looking down on Serena's past. It's normal for men to care, but if you care, you shouldn't have messed with her! Think about how Serena sacrificed so much for the Whitmores. I've seen her at this club multiple times, getting drunk, puking, and dealing with harassment just to secure sponsors for the family. I honestly thought Ian Whitmore not marrying Serena would make him a terrible person! But he actually chose to act like a jerk!"

I felt the weight of Drew's words pressing down on me. My hand tightened around the glass even more, ice clinking against the sides.

Drew tried to lighten the mood, but it was no use. "Enough about the Whitmores, bad luck, let's drink!"

Everyone else started to loosen up, the tension easing as drinks flowed. But I couldn't shake off the heaviness in my chest. I sat there, staring at my glass, replaying Drew's rant about Serena. It was like a punch to the gut.

Jace noticed my silence and clinked his glass against mine. "Need some air?" he nodded toward the balcony. I followed him out, the night air doing little to cool the anger simmering in my chest.

I pulled out a cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating Jace's face before I took a deep drag. The smoke filled my lungs, a temporary escape from the chaos inside.

Jace broke the silence, his voice softer. "I've met Serena a few times too. Once, she had a stomach hemorrhage, and I took her to the hospital."

I exhaled slowly, the smoke mingling with my thoughts. "She's tougher than she looks," Jace continued. "Most people wouldn't be able to take her down."

I flicked the ash into the night, feeling the weight of his words. "I need to inform you of something. Eleanor Yates will be joining Vanguard Media's new TV series as the lead actress."

Jace looked at me, his eyes narrowing. "She never collaborates with Vanguard."

I met his gaze, unwavering. "She has no choice. She already resisted, but it was futile. You need to be prepared."

Jace sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't mind."

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Tell Drew and Spencer I'm leaving now."

Their words hit me like physical blows. My hand shook slightly as I took another drag, the smoke doing nothing to dispel the image of Serena, alone and in pain, yet still standing strong.

I finished my cigarette in three sharp draws, my mind filled with images of her quiet suffering. The same woman who now smiled so gently at my children, who carried herself with such quiet dignity - how much had she endured in silence? A protective rage surged through me, mixing with an emotion I wasn't ready to name.

"Tell them I left," I said to Jace, already heading for the exit. My footsteps echoed with purpose across the marble floor, each step carrying me closer to a decision I'd been unconsciously moving toward.

In my car, the alcohol hit harder than expected, the city lights blurring into streaks of color through the windows. But my mind was clear on one thing, crystallized by the anger and something deeper, something that made my chest ache with a fierce tenderness. I pulled out my phone, typing carefully:

"From now on, I'll be there."