Victoria's poisonous words hung in the air like heavy smog, suffocating the joyous noise of the cheering crowd. The security guards dragged the screaming heiress off the stage, but the damage was already done inside Evelyn's mind.

Julian held Evelyn close to his side, his strong arm wrapping tightly around her waist as reporters took endless photos of her holding the golden trophy. He looked down at her, expecting to see a proud smile on her beautiful face. Instead, he saw her blue eyes staring blankly at the floor, her skin turning as pale as ice.

"Evelyn," Julian whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear. "Are you feeling sick?"

Evelyn...