“What do you mean… all of that was from William?” Evelyn asked, her breath catching in her throat.

Sandra looked at her cautiously, then placed a folder on Evelyn’s worktable.

“We had no choice but to tell you, Evelyn. All the protection—the shadow lawyers, even the journalists you thought backed off because of legal pressure… it was all arranged by William.”

Evelyn stared at the documents showing payment flows from a foreign company to the security team, and discreet emails coordinating the rescue of her exhibition from sabotage. Her hands trembled.

“Why… why did he do this behind my back?”

Sandra hesitated. “Maybe because he knew you’d refuse if you...