Chapter 25
A Gentleman’s Confirmation
Evan turned to me, his voice humble and gentle.
“I heard someone questioned your innocence; I spoke out of turn, without your permission. I hope I haven’t caused you any trouble.”
For a brief moment, I was caught off guard.
He… was apologizing?
Suppressing my surprise, I replied, “…It’s my fault for causing you trouble, Mr. Jones.”
He gave me a small nod, his expression unreadable.
“Shall I clarify the situation for everyone?”
I felt my breath catch.
“…Please.”
Refusing would be foolish.
The crowd hung onto his every word. The women, especially, looked like they were starstruck.
Handsome. Gentlemanly. Refined.
Even his humility was captivating.
Evan addressed the room, his voice smooth yet authoritative.
“Last night, I saved Ms. Frost.”
A hush fell over the room.
“I was meeting a client at that hotel. On my way out, I encountered Ms. Frost in the hallway—disoriented. The person assisting her seemed… suspicious. So I had the hotel investigate. Then, I stepped in.”
“Luckily, we arrived in time. She wasn’t harmed.”
His words were precise, leaving no room for rumors.
Simple. Direct. Undeniable.
I watched him closely.
A man like Evan Jones wouldn’t just wander into this kind of drama.
So why…?
Was my situation so pitiful that it had evoked some overwhelming sense of sympathy?
I must’ve been staring, because Julian’s fists clenched.
The Shaws and Crowes had gone silent.
And Rita?
She tried to stir up trouble, but Caffrey quickly covered her mouth.
The guests nodded, fully believing Evan’s account.
After all—
His word carried more weight than anyone else’s.
Even if there had been irrefutable evidence that I had slept with eight men, people would have turned a blind eye.
Because to contradict him would be to insult him.
And no one dared.
Julian’s Last Stand
Julian moved fast.
“Thank you for saving my wife!”
He put his arm around me, his grip possessive.
Before Evan could respond—
I shrugged him off.
Coldly.
“Mr. Shaw, you have no right to thank him on my behalf.”
“And the divorce isn’t a joke.”
I turned to look at him, my voice steady.
“You’ve already signed the agreement.”
“Tomorrow at noon is the final cooling-off period.”
The color drained from Julian’s face.
His voice cracked.
“You… really want a divorce?”
He looked at me like he couldn’t believe it.
Like I had spent years worshiping him, loving him, waiting for him—
And now, I was walking away?
I met his gaze with unwavering coldness.
“The police will arrive soon.”
“Instead of worrying about the divorce, you should be more concerned about your Sugarplum and your mother.”
“And don’t think you’ll escape either—your Sugarplum said you were involved.”
His eyes turned bloodshot.
“You believe I’d do that to you?! I would never hurt you!”
…
I stared at him.
Then, suddenly—
I laughed.
“Never hurt me?”
“How dare you say that?”
The ballroom fell silent.
“You think I only just found out about you and Rita?”
“I knew all along.”
A flicker of panic crossed his face.
“Every date.”
“Every hotel room.”
“Every vacation.”
My voice softened, but the pain in my words was unmistakable.
“Have you ever experienced having your heart repeatedly stabbed—not dying, but being slowly tortured, day and night, suffering in hell?”
“What did I do wrong?”
“Where did I fail you?”
Julian gasped for air.
The weight of my words pierced him like needles.
Regret flooded his features.
Blinded.
Arrogant.
He had assumed I would never leave him.
That no matter what—
I would stay.
The Arrests
Behind us, the police entered.
They moved swiftly, arrest warrants in hand.
“Seraphine Shaw.”
“Rita Crowe.”
“Julian Shaw.”
The officers turned to Julian.
“You’ll need to come with us.”
Rita wailed, but the Crowes were powerless.
The evidence was overwhelming.
And Evan—
Had just supported me in front of everyone.
They had no choice.
The guests watched with rapt attention.
This was the grand finale.
A scandal so explosive it would dominate Chicago’s elite gossip for weeks.
Those who had missed it would regret it.
Evan and Zach were the first to leave.
And me?
I waited until Evan left before slipping away.
Alone in the Park
Instead of taking a taxi, I walked to the park behind the hotel.
Leaning weakly against a tree, I let out a slow breath.
The dim lights cast long shadows.
In my red dress, I must’ve looked like a vengeful, beautiful ghost.
I knew the truth.
Julian hadn’t been involved in the attack.
Seraphine had only helped Rita lure me to the hotel.
But when I called the police—
I deliberately omitted that detail.
I wanted them all arrested.
Julian deserved this.
Then—
Footsteps.
A familiar, sophisticated woody scent filled the air.
I didn’t even have to look up.
“Your revenge is complete. You should be happy.”
His voice was calm.
“Yet you’re here… brooding?”
“…Tired.”
And why are you following me?
I didn’t dare ask the latter.
He paused.
“If you’re tired, go home and sleep.”
I straightened immediately.
“You’re right. I’m going home now. Goodbye, Mr. Jones!”
I turned to leave—
Then stopped.
“Thank you for today.”
Evan: …
An Unexpected Encounter
I took a taxi to my new home.
Taking the elevator from the lobby, I let out a sigh.
The doors opened—
And I froze.
Evan was inside.
Forcing myself to enter, I used the fingerprint scanner, then looked up at him with a polite smile.
“Mr. Jones, you must be tired too.”
He nodded.
“Mm. Go home and sleep.”
I smiled.
“Me too.”
A pause.
“So?”
He tilted his head slightly.
His expression was cool.
…
I blinked.
So?!
What do you mean so?!
How was I supposed to continue this conversation?!
