"Understood. I'll handle it immediately."

The moment the call ended, she felt Ethan's burning gaze. She turned to meet his mocking eyes and frowned. "Is there something you need, Mr. Sullivan?"

He tilted his phone toward her, revealing a photo she had secretly taken of his profile. His lips curved slightly. "So, Miss Sullivan enjoys taking pictures of me without permission?"

In the photo, she was hiding behind a pillar, her gaze fixed on him as if he were the only person in the world. The tips of Evelyn's ears burned—those leaked photos were undeniable proof of her once-hopeless crush.

"That was a childish mistake," she said flatly, turning her face away.

Ethan's smile vanished. He seized her wrist. "And now?"

"Why ask when you already know the answer?"

For three years, she had followed him like a shadow, only to be left behind. Now that she had walked away, he wouldn’t let go. The irony was bitter.

After a long silence, he released her. "Do you need me to handle the trending scandal?"

"No," Evelyn rubbed her reddened wrist. "It'll be resolved soon."

"I'm your husband." His voice was rough. "You can rely on me."

"I said I don't need your help!" She stood abruptly. "We're even. Goodnight."

She snapped off the lights and turned her back to him, cocooning herself in the blankets. In the darkness, Ethan's sigh was barely audible.

At dawn, William's call arrived right on schedule.

Evelyn stared at the flashing name on her screen, a cold smirk forming. The moment she answered, his furious roar erupted. "Issue a public apology immediately! The Jackson Group's stocks have dropped five percent!"

"Why should I?"

"Because you're a Jackson!" He panted heavily. "Just post a statement saying you were young and foolish. That’ll be the end of it."

Her nails dug into her palm. The whole world knew she was Ethan's lawfully wedded wife, yet her own father wanted her to admit she was a homewrecker?

"Your company's losses aren't my concern."

Scuffling noises came through the line before Victoria's shrill voice pierced her ears. "Ungrateful brat! After everything we've done for you, this is how you repay us?"

"And how exactly should I repay you?" Evelyn laughed softly. "By taking the fall for Isabella?"

"You—"

"Tell Isabella this," she enunciated each word. "Either she clears my name, or we settle this in court."

The call ended with a violent click. Evelyn watched the lightening sky outside before tossing her phone onto the couch.
######Chapter 116

Evelyn Sullivan's fingers turned icy as she answered.

"You ungrateful wretch! I should've left you at the orphanage—"

She stabbed the end-call button, knuckles whitening.

August sunlight filtered through the curtains but couldn't dispel the chill around her.

"Is this how the Jacksons raise their daughters?" Ethan Sullivan's wheelchair halted in the corridor shadows, his voice glacial.

Evelyn pocketed her phone and turned to leave.

"Stop."

His calloused fingers clamped around her wrist with bruising force.

"Mr. Sullivan, mind your manners."

She wrenched free, frost crystallizing in her eyes.

"I'm your husband!"

"Husband?" Evelyn laughed abruptly. "You've always enjoyed watching me suffer, haven't you?"

Ethan's expression darkened.

Water drummed against the shower tiles.

The mirror reflected Evelyn's red-rimmed eyes. She scrubbed her face roughly.

When she emerged, Ethan remained motionless, shadows carving his sharp features.

"Breakfast is served."

Coffee aroma drifted through the dining room.

Dr. Evan waved from a corner table. "Over here!"

Evelyn pushed the wheelchair forward, catching Ethan's gritted "Whatever."

Porcelain clinked sharply.

"The film crew's relocating this afternoon?" Evan asked suddenly.

Ethan set down his fork. "Three o'clock flight to Rongcheng."

Elevator numbers blinked upward.

"I'm sorry."

The apology rumbled in Ethan's chest.

Evelyn's grip on the wheelchair tightened slightly.

"It's over."

She missed seeing Ethan's whitened knuckles as she turned away.

An open suitcase sprawled across the bed.

Her phone vibrated violently.

"Evelyn Sullivan! How dare you call the police?" Lily White's shriek nearly shattered her eardrum.

"Isabella gave you this number?"

"Stop playing dumb! Every online exposé is true!"

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Then explain yourself to the officers, Miss White."

The call ended with a decisive tap.

Outside, sirens wailed in the distance.