At the press conference.
Flashes went off in a frenzy, blinding, almost swallowing her whole.
Reporters packed the place, shoulder to shoulder. Strangers had even come just to support Evelyn, holding up their phones and shouting.
"Ms. Whitmore, don't be afraid! We're all on your side!"
Evelyn sat at the microphone in a simple white dress, Nathan's carefully scripted lines repeating in her mind, lines he had revised countless times overnight.
The more tragic the childhood sounded, the more sympathy it would earn, making everything that followed seem justified.
That was what Nathan had taught her.
Evelyn faced the cameras and spoke about the cold leftover food she had eaten, the endless piles of laundry in the winter, and the old dog that used to curl around her at night and keep her company through the darkness.
Last night, when Nathan forced her to relive those memories, every word had felt like it was tearing her apart.
But now, she finished recounting it all calmly, without a trace of emotion on her face.
After a brief pause, she followed Nathan's instructions. Her tone turned cold, almost obsessive, as she spoke into the microphone, word by word.
"So I hated her. I hated that Annelise took the life that should have been mine, took my parents, took everything from me. I ruined every dress she owned. Her fiancé, Nathan, I got him drunk and dragged him into my bed. Her identity, her life, her man… all of it should have been mine! But even after marriage, Nathan only loved Annelise. I was jealous. I hated her for taking my love, so I faked those photos to smear her, to scare her. It wasn't until a lawyer warned me that I realized how wrong I was. Today, I'm here to say this… to Annelise, and to everyone… I'm sorry."
The entire room erupted.
Flashes exploded again, blinding and relentless.
"So she's the real homewrecker!"
"She staged the whole thing herself. Disgusting!"
The livestream audience exploded. Some broke past security and rushed into the venue, hurling vegetables and eggs at Evelyn. Filth splattered across her white dress.
Bodyguards rushed in, shielding her as they hurried her out.
Inside the car, Nathan closed the livestream and smiled in satisfaction. "Evelyn, you did great. Perfect. The narrative's flipped. Annelise is safe now."
Richard and Margaret stepped forward as well, patting her shoulder, smiling warmly. "Good girl. This is all thanks to you. Once the company stabilizes, Annelise will take over, and we'll transfer twenty percent of the shares to you. You'll be taken care of for life."
Relief flickered in Annelise's eyes. "Evelyn, thank you."
Everyone was smiling. Everyone looked relieved. Evelyn forced a smile along with them.
For the next two days, she left early and returned late, avoiding everyone on purpose.
She went to the mall and picked out farewell gifts for them.
Late that night, when she returned home, she found Nathan sitting on the couch, his shirt disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. "Evelyn, I underestimated you."
