Chapter 273
Evelyn's fingertips trembled slightly.
She stared at the thick stack of documents on the table, her chest heavy as if weighed down by a boulder. Olivia's ever-smiling eyes flashed in her mind, tightening her throat.
"Howard is nothing but a complete fraud."
Sebastian's voice was icy. His slender fingers traced the red-marked dates on the documents, each one horrifying.
"The day Theodore was born, he was popping champagne at a nightclub."
"When Theodore had his first fever and was hospitalized, he was gambling in Macau."
"On your anniversary, he booked an entire hotel floor... with three women."
Evelyn slammed the file shut. The crisp sound of paper echoed sharply in the silent living room.
The sound of a turning lock suddenly broke the silence.
"Oh, what a surprise! You're here?" Olivia walked in arm-in-arm with Howard, her cheeks still flushed. She wore a soft yellow dress that made her glow like spring itself.
Howard tenderly helped her remove her coat, his gaze dripping with affection.
Evelyn's stomach churned.
"Olivia." She took a deep breath and pushed the file forward. "Look at this."
Curious, Olivia flipped open the first page. Her smile froze. Howard glanced over her shoulder and paled instantly.
"Darling, this is a setup!" He dropped to his knees, his voice cracking with desperation. "I swear I’ve never done any of this!"
Sebastian let out a cold laugh, his eyes sharp as blades.
Olivia's fingers tightened slowly. The paper crumpled in her grip, emitting a strained rustle.
"Last year, on Theodore’s birthday..." Her voice was barely audible. "You said you were in New York for a meeting."
Beads of sweat formed on Howard’s forehead. "I was! These photos are photoshopped!"
"Then what about this?" Olivia suddenly pulled out a hotel receipt, her finger jabbing at a glaring number. "An 8888-dollar 'romance suite'—photoshopped too?"
The room plunged into dead silence.
Evelyn watched as Olivia’s eyes slowly reddened, but her spine remained rigid.
"Olivia—"
"Enough." Olivia stood abruptly, shredding the documents in her hands. The white fragments fluttered down like a ridiculous snowstorm.
Howard opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by her glare.
"Get out."
Her voice was soft, yet it plunged the room into icy cold. Evelyn had never seen Olivia like this—a drawn sword, terrifyingly sharp.
Howard scrambled to his feet, stumbling toward the door. Just before it closed, Evelyn caught the venomous glint in his eyes.
"Olivia..." Evelyn reached out, but Olivia gently pushed her away.
Bending down, Olivia picked up a torn piece of paper and suddenly laughed. "I’ve known for a while."
The words struck like thunder.
"Then why—"
"Because of Theodore." Olivia traced the date on the scrap, tears finally falling. "Every time he missed his father, Howard would magically appear."
She lifted her tear-streaked face, a bitter smile on her lips. "How ironic. Even being a good dad was just an act."