Chapter 281

"Did you go to Dominic and force him to break up with me?" Vanessa demanded, her voice sharp as shattered glass.

Evelyn blinked, momentarily stunned into silence.

"Stop playing innocent!" Vanessa spat, her lips curling into a sneer. "Just admit what you did. I never thought you’d stoop so low." She kept her distance, wary—she hadn’t forgotten Evelyn’s kickboxing skills.

"Vanessa, have you lost your mind?" Evelyn finally snapped, her patience fraying. "If you’re having delusions, see a therapist. Don’t drag me into your mess. Whatever’s going on between you and Dominic is your problem. Get out of my sight—you make me sick."

With a dismissive flick of her wrist, Evelyn turned away. Vanessa’s face flushed crimson, humiliation burning through her.

"Evelyn, you can’t fool everyone forever!" Vanessa took a slow step forward, her voice dripping with venom. "Do you really think he’d ever take you back? Dream on."

Another step. Closer.

"Even if you’ve blinded him for now, his heart belongs to me. Do you know what we shared while you were rotting in that lab?" Her laugh was cruel. "He told me the sight of you repulsed him. You’re nothing but numbers and test tubes—not even a real woman."

Evelyn’s instincts flared as Vanessa inched nearer. She shifted her stance, ready—but she didn’t strike.

Vanessa lunged.

A sharp cry tore through the air as Vanessa stumbled, clutching her stomach. "Ah—my baby!"

Evelyn froze.

This woman is a snake. Vanessa hadn’t come to fight—she’d come to frame her.

Vanessa could’ve caught herself. But she didn’t. She let herself fall, landing hard against the jagged rock below.

"Nice performance," Evelyn drawled, narrowing her eyes. "But judging by your angle, you hit your waist—not your stomach."

Vanessa’s face twisted in pain, her fingers digging into her abdomen. "You monster!" she wailed. "You killed my child! I’ll make you pay!"

Evelyn opened her mouth to retort—then stopped.

A dark stain spread down Vanessa’s legs.

Blood.

Too real for a prop.

Vanessa was pregnant. And now, she was miscarrying.

She came here knowing the risk? How desperate is she?

"Ah—it hurts!" Vanessa gasped, sweat beading on her forehead. Her agony looked genuine.

The commotion drew a crowd. Bystanders whispered, pointing fingers.

"Vanessa, you’re ruthless," Evelyn muttered under her breath.

Clenching her jaw, she dialed for an ambulance.

A life was at stake. No matter how much she despised Vanessa, she wouldn’t let her bleed out.

And besides—Vanessa still had answers Evelyn needed.

"Evelyn?" A familiar voice cut through the chaos. Sophia rushed down the steps, eyes wide. "What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call—"

A pained moan interrupted her.

Sophia turned—and paled.

"Ms. Blake? What happened?"