Chapter 3
Evelyn lifted her gaze and glanced at him.
The way he called her was so natural, it was as if she'd always been meant to sit right there.
And as soon as she took her seat, the whole pecking order in the room seemed to rearrange itself.
Charlottestood frozen in place, her fingertips digging so hard into her palms she nearly broke the skin.
But she didn't dare cause a scene.
At least, not right now.
With tearful eyes, she whispered, "Evelyn, you take the seat. I can sit anywhere, it doesn't matter."
She looked so miserable and yielding that anyone watching would feel a pang of sympathy for her.
But Evelyn just looked up at her, her voice cool and completely devoid of emotion.
"If you really don't care where you sit, then stand." she said.
One of the younger relatives nearby almost burst out laughing, but quickly stifled it.
Charlotte's face went pale, then red, then pale again in a flash.
She never imagined Evelyn wouldn't even give her an out in front of everyone.
Just as Mary was about to say something, Andrew cut in, his tone cool and indifferent.
Andrew said, "Why are you standing there? Move already.
"Evelyn doesn't want anyone crying and making a scene next to her while she's eating."
As soon as he finished, the butler stepped forward and quietly asked Charlotte to move to another seat.
In that instant,Charlotte felt like every last shred of her dignity had been trampled underfoot.
She spent the whole meal feeling like she was sitting on a bed of nails.
Evelyn never looked her way, not even once.
It was like she was nothing but air to Evelyn, completely beneath her notice.
After dinner, Andrew took Evelyn's suitcase upstairs himself.
He opened the door on the east side of the main house, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping view of Capital at night, with moonlight pouring right into the room.
"You'll be staying here from now on." Andrew said, setting the suitcase down, his voice flat. "If you need anything, say so."
Evelyn stood in the doorway, taking in the unfamiliar luxury of the room, not stepping inside yet.
After a brief pause, Evelyn asked. "Why are you helping me?"
Andrew turned around.
His features were sharp, and standing under the light, he radiated a cold, almost overwhelming presence.
But his answer was straightforward.
"Because you're my sis." he replied.
Evelyn looked at him. "Is it just because of blood?"
Andrew was silent for a moment, then said quietly. "No.
"It's because on your very first day back, everyone was telling you to just endure.
"But the Reed family's heiress shouldn't have to endure anything."
For the first time, a subtle ripple of emotion appeared in Evelyn's eyes.
For years, she had walked through life alone, carrying everything herself, never explaining, and letting others define her before they even knew her.
For the first time, someone stood in front of her and told her she didn’t have to endure it anymore.
Just then, Evelyn's phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number.
[At the Reed family's welcome party tomorrow night, the dress Charlotte prepared for you has been tampered with.
[She's setting you up to embarrass yourself in front of the whole Capital elite.]
Evelyn stared at the message, her gaze darkening.
Andrew noticed the look on her face and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"
Evelyn put her phone away, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.
"Nothing." she replied, "Just that some people still don't know when to stop."
Meanwhile, downstairs in her room, Charlotte was seething.
An expensive perfume bottle shattered against the floor.
Charlotte gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white, all the sweetness and hurt wiped from her face, leaving only a look of twisted hatred in her eyes.
Today, Evelyn didn't just reclaim the room and the main seat.
She even stripped away the Reed family's unspoken acceptance of her.
If Charlotte didn't make a move soon, this family would have no place for her, not even a corner.