Chapter 242 Apology
Evelyn just kinda smirked, her red lips barely moving, looking all bored and stuff, like she was about to roll her eyes any second.
But man, when Jessica heard what Edward said, she was ready to blow a gasket! Her eyes were practically shooting flames, she was so mad.
Edward playing favorites with Evelyn? That was like a slap in the face for Jessica!
'Why the heck is he ignoring someone as awesome and gorgeous as me for some woman he abandoned himself? And Evelyn? She's always got dudes around her. First Eric, then that nobody Gilbert, and who knows how many others. Doesn't Edward find that gross?' Jessica fumed.
"I heard Mr. Clark dragged Miss Clark here to say sorry to me, so I squeezed you into my packed schedule. Just so you know, I'm not just Evelyn, the Taylor family's daughter; I'm also Alexa, the big-shot jewelry designer. People are lining up to get a minute with me. I don't have time for petty stuff and nobodies." Evelyn flicked her hair, crossed her arms, and lounged on the sofa like she owned the place. "If I knew you were coming with Edward, I wouldn't have bothered."
"Why?" Edward's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, his voice all serious, "You'd rather see Eric than me?"
Eric's eyebrow twitched, thinking, 'Dude, she likes me way more than you, get over it.'
"I only see people for two reasons: business or personal." Evelyn held up two fingers and waved them at Edward. "You and I got neither. Why would I waste my time on someone who doesn't even count as a stranger to me?"
'Someone who doesn't even count as a stranger.'
Edward's face darkened, feeling like he swallowed hot coals, the burn going straight to his heart.
Eric smirked, thinking, 'At least she still thinks you're a person, giving you some dignity.'
"Eric, if you got something to say, spit it out. I got a meeting later and no time to waste." Evelyn's eyes were all sultry, her tone dripping with arrogance, her long legs crossed, and her red-bottomed heels just adding to the allure.
Edward's gaze drifted to Evelyn's slender, fair ankles peeking out from her trousers. His jaw tightened, his throat went dry, and he swallowed hard.
'This is the woman I stupidly let go. Now, she seems perfect in every way.' Edward thought.
Meanwhile, Jessica was putting on her fake act, her face pale, lips trembling, like Evelyn had done something horrible to her.
"Evelyn, no, Ms. Taylor." Seeing Evelyn's expression shift, Eric quickly corrected himself, "We came here to apologize. The necklace Debra gave to Ada at the last auction was a fake Jessica had made in Yatuok."
Eric's voice got quieter as he spoke, constantly checking Evelyn's reaction.
"I knew that from the start." Evelyn said, all calm and collected.
Eric and Jessica were floored!
Edward just furrowed his brow a bit, not too shocked. After all, the new Evelyn had connections everywhere. Jessica's little schemes were nothing to her.
"When did you find out?" Jessica asked, all panicky.
Evelyn smiled, almost teasingly, "The day you found Desmond and paid him a ton to copy my jewelry design, I already knew."
"What?" Jessica couldn't keep up her act and shouted, totally in disbelief.
"Miss Clark, you hired Desmond thinking he was my ex-apprentice who went solo after we had a falling-out."
"Just 'cause divorced folks can't be buddies doesn't mean ex-mentors and apprentices can't be," Evelyn said, lifting her chin a bit.
Edward took a deep breath.
"Even though Desmond's from Yatuok, he knows better than to stab his mentor in the back for a quick buck. My people don't roll like that." Evelyn's red lips curled into a cold smile. "So yeah, your plan was doomed from the start, Miss Clark. You messed up thinking everyone’s as shady as you."
Edward's lips twitched into a slight smile, his eyes still calm.
But Eric's face darkened, looking all grim. He knew Evelyn had a sharp tongue, but dang, he didn't expect it to sting this much!
"Evelyn! You're so sneaky and nasty!" Jessica was fuming, pointing at Evelyn like she was about to break something. "You knew I went to Desmond right away but acted clueless. You knew Debra would give that necklace to Ada and waited for the charity auction to drop the bomb, just to make her crash and burn? How can you be so heartless? Do you wanna wipe out anyone who threatens you?" Jessica started crying, playing the victim card hard.
"Or should I just let them hang around?" Evelyn rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by Jessica's tears.
"You!" Jessica was too mad to even speak.
'Evelyn's too full of herself! Eric and Edward are both here, and she still talks like she owns the place. Is there no guy in the world she cares about?' Jessica thought.
"Miss Clark, you're here to own up to your mistake, not point fingers. Is it that hard to admit you messed up?" Edward lowered his lashes, paused, then looked up, staring deep into Evelyn's eyes. "Even if Ms. Taylor didn't deal with Debra, I would have. Even if Eric didn't drag you here, I would have. The outcome would be the same. Got any objections?"
Evelyn suddenly looked up, giving Edward a complicated glance.
'Looks like Edward's not cutting Jessica any slack. But whatever, it's got nothing to do with me,' Evelyn thought.
"Edward." Jessica was both heartbroken and furious, tears streaming down her face.
But the Edward of today wasn't the gentle big brother who used to smile at her and hold her hand in the park. He was totally under Evelyn's spell; he'd lost his mind!
"Are you gonna apologize or what?" Evelyn was done, ready to bounce.
"Jessica, apologize to Ms. Taylor now!" Eric urged, all anxious.
"Sorry." Jessica gritted her teeth, her voice barely a whisper.
"Louder, I can't hear you." Evelyn frowned, her presence intimidating.
"Sorry!" As soon as Jessica spoke, Eric rushed over, pressing his big hand on her back, forcing her to bow to Evelyn.
Unable to resist, she had to bend over, the humiliation tearing her apart inside!
'Evelyn, I'll get my revenge, I swear!' Jessica thought.
"William." Evelyn stood up slowly and called out.
William immediately responded.
"I just heard Mr. Clark say he'd compensate me on behalf of the Clark Group for Miss Clark's screw-up. Calculate the exact amount, including infringement fees and emotional distress, and show it to Mr. Clark."
Evelyn turned sharply and walked towards the door. "All compensation will be donated to the Hope Project Foundation in Mugden. I won't take a dime."
Eric was stunned, then smiled bitterly.
