Chapter 142

Evelyn returned to the Whitmore residence.

"Father, I'm home," Evelyn said softly.

Victoria immediately rushed to block her at the entrance. "Evelyn, you shouldn't go inside right now. Gregory is furious with you."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Aunt Victoria, what happened? Why is he angry?"

Victoria deliberately raised her voice. "He found out how you offended the investors for Cassandra's new film project. You should leave now - I'm trying to protect you. He might lose control and hurt you!"

Evelyn watched Victoria's performance with amusement.

'If this woman truly cared, she would have warned me before I arrived. This dramatic act at the door is so transparent.'

Yet Gregory always fell for it.

"Is that Evelyn?" Gregory's enraged voice boomed from inside. "Get her in here now!"

Victoria stopped blocking the doorway and hurried back to Gregory.

"Darling, calm down. What's done is done. Hurting her won't change what happened to Cassandra."

Her words only stoked Gregory's fury. Spotting a broom nearby, he grabbed it. "That ungrateful brat needs to learn her lesson! How else can I make up for what she's done to you and Cassandra?"

Evelyn stepped into the living room. The scene unfolded before her - Gregory brandishing the broom, Victoria pretending to restrain him while actually provoking him further, and Cassandra dramatically sobbing on the couch, shoulders shaking with exaggerated grief.

Gregory's face darkened when he saw Evelyn. "You worthless disgrace! Get over here!" he roared. "On your knees! Apologize and accept your punishment!"

Evelyn remained composed. "I don't understand why I'm being punished."

"Don't play dumb!" Gregory's voice shook with anger. "Answer me! Did Cassandra take you on as her assistant when you needed work? Did she pay you well?"

Evelyn frowned slightly. "Technically, yes..."

"And how did you repay her kindness?" Gregory demanded.

"I worked diligently to justify my position," Evelyn answered honestly.

"Diligently?" Gregory scoffed. "Is that what you call it? She finally landed a role in Vincent Blackwood's new film! All she asked was for you to pour tea at the meeting, and you burned the investor's hand! What were you thinking?"

"I admit that happened," Evelyn conceded. "But it was accidental."

Gregory jabbed the broom toward her. "Do you think 'accident' fixes anything? Because of your carelessness, the film lost its funding! This was Vincent Blackwood's project - a guaranteed international breakthrough for any actor!"

"You've destroyed your sister's career!" he continued. "She was our family's only hope for success, and you ruined it!"

Victoria began fake-sobbing. "Evelyn... how could you? I know you're jealous of Cassandra's talent, but to sabotage her like this..."