Chapter 76

The scene unfolded with Vanessa Sterling sneaking a phone call, pretending Evelyn Sinclair had reached out to her. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the stage, Evelyn stood in a hospital corridor, clutching a medical report, her face pale as she frantically consulted a doctor.

Vanessa tore at her designer dress dramatically, begging Julian Blackwood for help. At the same time, Evelyn, tears streaming down her face, desperately tried calling Julian—only for him to ignore her, too busy rushing to Vanessa’s rescue.

By the time Julian arrived, he stood before Vanessa, his expression cold as he turned to Evelyn. "You’re vile for trying to frame—"

Evelyn defended herself, but Julian scoffed, freezing her black card mid-sentence. When she mentioned her illness, he sneered, "Stop faking. You’re not fooling anyone."

Left alone, Evelyn collapsed, weakened by her condition. Yet, someone snapped a photo of her vulnerable state and uploaded it online.

Later, Julian and Vanessa cornered Evelyn. "You’re just a nobody," Julian spat. "We’re stars. Sacrificing you is the easiest way to clear our names. Since you claim to love me, you’ll do this for me, won’t you? Or I’ll divorce you."

The lighting remained unchanged, but Evelyn—who had been playing the role of a frail patient—suddenly sprang from her wheelchair like a woman possessed.

SLAP!

Her palm cracked against Julian’s cheek, sending him stumbling back. Before Vanessa could react, Evelyn backhanded her so hard she crashed into Julian’s arms. Then, Evelyn fake-stomped on them both, her movements sharp and theatrical.

"Pathetic, spineless liars!" she seethed. "You accuse me without proof? Even the police need evidence, but you two think you’re above the law? Maybe I should hand you over to the authorities—oh wait, they don’t take trash!"

The audience gasped.

"Wait…" someone murmured. "Did Harrison Montgomery really believe Vanessa’s lies about Natalie without proof?"

"Let’s see if they dare present any evidence later," another whispered.

Backstage, Harrison and Vanessa overheard the murmurs. Harrison’s face went rigid. I don’t have proof, but…

On stage, Julian finally found his voice. "You don’t have proof of your innocence either!"

Evelyn fake-stomped his face so convincingly that Julian genuinely wondered if she’d break character and kick him for real.

"Are you hearing yourself?" she snapped. "You demand proof from your wife but take a stranger’s word as gospel? Because she’s delicate? Because her tears make her innocent? If she accuses me of murder tomorrow, will you send me to prison? Just because I don’t cry, I’m the villain?"

SLAP!

"You think because you didn’t sleep with her, you’re still faithful? Still honorable?"

Julian’s acting was flawless—his neck just wasn’t used to all the head-turning. Still, he perfectly portrayed a man drowning in self-righteous anger.

Evelyn leaned in, her voice dripping with venom. "Tell me, Julian. If I found another man and did everything you did with her, but swore I still loved you… would you be okay with that?"

His face twisted in rage.

"Hypocrite," she spat. "Your ‘love’ is disgusting. I must’ve been a monster in my past life to deserve it."

Suddenly, Harrison clutched his chest, gasping for air. He slumped against the wall, his vision blurring. Vanessa could only watch helplessly, her facade crumbling.

Backstage, eyes gleamed with predatory interest. The vultures were circling.

On screen, Evelyn’s tirade continued—until BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! censored her words.

The audience groaned. "Why’s she censoring herself? We want to hear the insults!"

But the Blackwood family in the crowd smirked. They loved her unfiltered rage.

As the lights dimmed, a single spotlight remained. Evelyn’s voice echoed softly.

"Without you, I might’ve met someone who truly loved me. Someone who chose me. But even if I don’t… I’ll take all the love I wasted on you and give it to myself."

The crowd fell silent.

They’d expected a petty feud—not a raw, powerful message about self-worth.

Just as they thought it was over, Evelyn’s voice returned, playful yet sharp.

"Life’s boring without a few lunatics to stomp on. So look ahead… because a new Chapter’s just begun."

The stage went black.

And the audience erupted.