Chapter 208
Whoever was filming had clearly kept their distance; the figures in the video were blurred and indistinct.
But as if the person behind the camera was desperate for everyone to know exactly who it was, the footage zoomed in on her diamond ring and the necklace at her throat, highlighting every detail–like arrows pointing directly at her.
The diamond ring was still on her finger now.
She hadn’t changed the necklace, either.
Anyone with half an eye could tell it was her.
The man’s back was to the camera, but if you looked carefully, it was obvious he wasn’t Soren.
The room fell instantly silent, tense as a held breath.
Then came a low tide of murmurs–whispers rising and falling through the crowd.
“Is that Evangeline? What is she doing with another man… Honestly, does she have no shame?”
“Doesn’t this mean she’s been cheating on Mr. Fawkes? This is grounds for divorce for sure.”
“Not necessarily. Maybe they’ve both been playing around. At that point, what’s the difference?”
“Even if they’re both fooling around, she should’ve been more discreet. Now that she’s been caught, her embarrassment is the least of it–the Fawkes family’s reputation is at stake. No matter how much the old lady dotes on her, I doubt she’ll tolerate this.”
“Honestly, what was she thinking?”
Soren listened to the growing buzz, his eyes fixed on the screen–on Evangeline, wrapped in another man’s arms.
Fury surged through him like wildfire.
He looked up, searching for Evangeline.
She was staring at the video, expression unreadable.
She wasn’t surprised to have been caught on camera. There had always been eyes
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watching her, always people eager for her marriage to fall apart. She’d known the risk the moment she’d spoken to Finn in the hall; she’d been ready for this, and her heart barely trembled.
And yet, as she looked at the image–her back straight as a pine, her posture cool and proud, radiating confidence from head to toe–she was struck by something else entirely.
She couldn’t help but remember that day a month ago, at the airport.
The woman on the screen and the reflection she’d once glimpsed in the glass seemed like two different people entirely.
As if she’d been reborn.
Soren saw her standing there, stunned, simply staring at the image. He thought she must be shocked, unsure how to react to such a sudden blow.
His anger, boiling just moments ago, was tamped down by a surge of restraint.
Just this once, he’d help her.
He made a silent decision.
He beckoned a bodyguard, ordering the video taken down at once. As he strode forward, he announced, “The video’s a fake. That’s not her.”
The crowd, which had been gleefully awaiting Evangeline’s reaction, fell into an uneasy silence. Poppy, who had been ready to enjoy the spectacle, was caught off guard.
Soren was lying for Evangeline?
She knew Liam had sent her the video only minutes before. She’d allowed–no, orchestrated–it being shown to everyone.
Five years ago, she’d staged photos of herself dining with another man to make Soren jealous, hoping to push him into marrying her faster. Instead, he’d given her the cold shoulder, and the Fawkes family had seized the excuse to break them up for good.
Back then, Soren had merely helped her calm public opinion.
But now, with video evidence clear as day, Soren was actively lying to protect Evangeline?
Hope, buried deep in her heart, crumbled in an instant.
Still, she managed a smile, echoing Soren’s words, “I believe it too. Evangeline would
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never do such a thing. She loves Soren far too much. There’s no way she’d betray him. with someone else.”
She put extra emphasis on the word “betray.”
Evangeline saw right through her.
She glanced at Soren, catching the glint of icy anger in his eyes.
If looks could kill, she’d be dead a thousand times over.
Old Mrs. Fawkes seemed ready to let it all slide, but Poppy spoke up, “Grandma, this concerns Evangeline’s reputation. I think we should investigate, at least verify whether the video is real. Otherwise-”
“No need,” Evangeline interrupted calmly, her voice clear and steady. “It’s me. The video is real.”
Her admission hit the room like a thunderclap. Shock rippled through the crowd.
Evangeline met their stares and stepped to the front, ready to continue, “I and-”
But before she could finish the words “Soren and I are divorced,” Soren seized her
wrist, his voice cold as steel. “Don’t say another word.”
What was she about to confess? That kiss with Glenn?
He and Poppy had just tried to shield her, and yet she insisted on pinning the blame on herself?
A vein throbbed visibly at Soren’s temple.
“That can’t be true, Evangeline. You’re just upset, right?” Poppy piped up in mock concern. “I know you’re mad at me, but I’ve given up on Soren. Truly, I wish you both happiness.”
“After all, you married Soren, and he deserves a woman who loves him. I’m sure you two will be very happy together.”
“But if you insist the video is real, then tell us who the man is. If you can’t, no one will believe you.”
She sounded sympathetic, but her words nudged the conversation in an entirely new direction.
Of course.
Soren was young, rich, and handsome. Why would Evangeline ever want another
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man?
And if there really was someone else, who could it possibly be?
The audience began to murmur again, and Poppy’s smile widened.
Evangeline let out a soft laugh. “Believe what you want. Who I date is my business. I don’t owe you any explanations.”
Date?
Boyfriend?
The room fell silent in disbelief.
Poppy stared, as if she’d misheard.
Her gaze flicked from Soren, who was barely containing his rage, to Flora, who was wringing her hands in panic nearby. With a sly glint in her eye, Poppy ventured, “Don’t tell me it’s Glenn?”
Evangeline was about to deny it when a cool, elegant voice cut through the tension. “Sorry, Miss Yates, you guessed wrong. It’s me.”
