Chapter 4

Soon, the grand ballroom filled with dozens of relatives and business associates.

"Evelyn?! Ugh, when did that predator get out of prison?"

"Probably paroled. Disgusting woman. Having a handsome husband at home and going after a teenage boy!"

Guests who hadn't heard of my recent exoneration glared at me with sheer disgust, whispering behind their champagne flutes.

I stood in the center of the room, cold and expressionless, offering no explanation.

Moments later, the venue staff wheeled out a massive family portrait: Julian, Cecilia, the newborn, and Julian’s parents. I was nowhere to be found.

Someone whispered in confusion, "Where's Evelyn? Who is that woman clinging to Julian? His sister?"

I turned to them, raising my voice with a bright smile. "That’s Julian’s new woman. I’m just his ex."

Murmurs of shock rippled across the room, spreading like wildfire from table to table.

Sensing the disturbance, Helen and Arthur rushed over, yanking me aside.

"These people still think you’re a convicted felon!" Helen hissed through clenched teeth. "Make one more scene, and we’ll have security drag you into the street!"

"If it weren't for our family's reputation, you think we’d let an ex-con touch our grandson?"

Julian marched over, his face pale with fury. "Evelyn, it’s our son’s party. Watch your tongue. Say one wrong word, and I will divorce you on the spot!"

I smiled serenely, nodding my head. "Don't worry. I won't ruin it."

Relieved, the family strutted up to the stage.

Julian took the microphone, basking in the spotlight. "Friends and family, thank you for joining us today to welcome my baby boy. A man’s greatest blessing is finding the right woman, and the ultimate joy is bringing the fruit of our love into this world!"

His voice was passionate, his eyes lingering romantically on Cecilia.

When his gaze swept toward me, his smile instantly vanished.

Taking my cue, I strolled up the platform steps with a gentle smile. Julian’s expression shifted to panic.

"Evelyn, what the hell are you doing?" he hissed under his breath.

"It’s our baby’s big day," I whispered back smoothly. "As your 'loving wife,' shouldn't I say a few words?"

Under the gaze of hundreds of guests, Julian could only grit his teeth. "One slip of the tongue, and you're dead to me."

Helen, Arthur, and Cecilia stood nearby, tense as coiled snakes, Helen’s fingers clenched into fists, ready to tackle me.

I tapped the microphone, turning to the audience with a warm, radiant smile.

"First of all, as the child's 'mother' and Julian's 'wife,' I’d like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate this special milestone."

Julian let out a quiet sigh of relief, while Cecilia and Helen smirked with smug condescension.

Then, my smile vanished.

"However, I believe everyone deserves the truth! This baby is not mine! He is the product of an adulterous affair between my husband, Julian, and this homewrecker, Cecilia Moore!"

Gasps and clattering glasses echoed across the entire ballroom. My relatives jumped up from their tables, shouting in outrage.

Julian lunged forward to rip the microphone from my hand, while Helen and Cecilia charged at me like wild animals.

I dodged them effortlessly, raising my voice through the speakers.

"Julian knocked up his mistress, and now this family demands that I legally adopt his illegitimate child and pay for his diapers! What a magnificent joke!"

"As his legal wife, I refuse to be their doormat! And as an educator, I refuse to live a lie!"

"Julian Vance, as of today, we are through!"

I slammed the microphone onto the floor, pulling signed divorce papers from my purse and slapping them hard onto the banquet table.

Julian scrambled to snatch up the mic, his voice trembling frantically. "Evelyn! Shut up! You’re lying! That’s not what happened!"

Helen snapped, grabbing a handful of my hair and forcing my head onto the table. "You lying little whore! I knew you were poison!"

"Don't listen to her! She’s a certified child predator! I'll beat you to death, you filthy bitch!!"

She grabbed a heavy glass wine bottle, swinging it directly at my skull!

The heavy double doors of the ballroom slammed open, and a squad of uniformed police officers stormed in!

"Police! Drop the weapon!"