Chapter 113

The Lowell family's misfortunes kept piling up, stretching Sophia's nerves to the breaking point.

She paced her dorm room, phone clutched in a white-knuckled grip. The screen displayed a message from Brandon—another major client had pulled out.

"Damn it!" She hurled the phone onto the bed with a snarl.

The mirror reflected her contorted expression. Ever since returning to the Lowells, bad luck clung to her like a curse. The glamorous heiress life she'd envisioned had disintegrated into chaos.

What galled her most was the involuntary tremors that seized her whenever she saw Evelyn. That bitch played dirty.

"This has to be her doing." Sophia glared at the oak tree outside, suddenly recalling the sight of Evelyn climbing into Ethan's car.

Her chest constricted.

The Sullivan Group... If Ethan got involved...

"Impossible!" She shook her head violently, nails screeching against the windowsill. How could trash like Evelyn catch the eye of someone like him?

The classroom door creaked open, interrupting her spiral.

Evelyn entered with pallid skin and faint shadows under her eyes. Sophia's lips curled in malicious delight.

"Got dumped, didn't you?" The thought sent her fingers clawing grooves into her textbook.

The professor's lecture faded into white noise as Sophia fantasized about ruining Evelyn. Only when the bell rang did she realize the room had emptied—except for Evelyn solving equations at her desk.

Opportunity knocked.

She slipped out silently, retrieving a prepped padlock from her bag.

Two metallic clicks secured both exits.

"Enjoy your stay, dear sister." Sophia smirked at the locked door before nearly colliding with a girl carrying files.

"What're you staring at?" She bared her teeth, storming off.

Inside, Evelyn stretched her stiff neck. Sunset stretched her shadow across the floor.

The door didn't budge when she tried it.

"Childish." She eyed the chain on the back exit with disdain.

Without hesitation, she vaulted through the window, landing soundlessly on the grass.

"Evelyn!"

A ponytailed girl sprinted toward her.

"It is you!" The girl beamed. "Remember me? Vivian Ho!"

Evelyn's eyes narrowed in recognition.

"Cousin?"

Vivian moved to link arms but met empty air.

"I just transferred to Harvard! Never thought I'd bump into you here." Undeterred, she grinned. "Come on, my treat!"

Evelyn studied Vivian's outstretched hand—and froze at the familiar scar on her wrist.

A decade-old wound from when Vivian shielded her.

"Alright." Her voice softened slightly.