Chapter 276

Victoria Langley gazed at her daughter's face, her fingertips lightly brushing through the girl's hair.

"Evelyn, are you absolutely certain about this?"

Evelyn Laurent pressed her lips together and nodded, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows under the light.

"Mother, I refuse to be shackled by this engagement any longer."

A sudden smile curved Victoria's lips, gentle creases appearing at the corners of her eyes.

"Then we'll go to the Sullivans' immediately."

Evelyn's head jerked up, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of her dress.

"Now?"

Ethan Sullivan's stormy expression flashed through her mind, an inexplicable weight settling in her chest.

Victoria observed her daughter's reaction with careful neutrality as she rose gracefully.

"Strike while the iron is hot."

Six brothers materialized around them in perfect synchronization. Alexander Langley seized his sister's wrist decisively.

"Move out!"

Surrounded by her brothers, Evelyn found her steps slowing despite their momentum.

She remembered the rigid line of Ethan's jaw whenever the broken engagement was mentioned.

Recalled all those times he'd quietly shielded her from trouble without a word.

The Langley motorcade descended upon the Sullivan estate in full force.

The butler burst into the drawing room in disarray.

"Sir! The Langleys have arrived in force!"

Vincent Sullivan set down his teacup with deliberate calm, his gaze drifting toward the closed door on the second floor.

"Let the boy stew for a while."

Upstairs, Ethan stood at the window, his knuckles pressed against the chilled glass.

He watched Alexander lead Evelyn from the car, his expression darkening instantly.

Victoria rang the doorbell with aristocratic poise.

"We're here to dissolve the engagement."

Evelyn lingered at the back of the group, her heartbeat stuttering.

Suddenly, she wasn't certain what answer she truly wanted to hear.