[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-225":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},225,11,"Chapter 11: Watching the Bastard Act","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline knew exactly where Cassidy was headed: the local urgent care clinic. Her heart raced. The game was finally reaching its climax.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before leaving for the day, Evangeline headed down to the planning department to track her down.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sister, I heard you weren't feeling well today. Did you see a doctor?\" Evangeline asked, masking her sharp gaze with a veil of sisterly concern.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy scanned Evangeline's face for any sign of suspicion, then shrugged coolly. \"It’s nothing. Just some mild gastritis from skipping meals lately. I already saw a doctor.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, that's a relief,\" Evangeline said, exhaling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah. Well, it's almost five. You heading out?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My car's alignment feels off,\" Evangeline lied, adjusting her bag. \"Could I catch a ride home with you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure. Let's go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They walked down to the subterranean parking garage together.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the drive home, Cassidy glanced at her from the corner of her eye. \"Sister, I've been in such a mood lately, and I haven't been keeping up with you. How did Marcellus even let you come back home?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline played the part perfectly, pouting with exaggerated vulnerability. \"You’re right! Marcellus is so temperamental. I followed your advice and made a scene every day. He got annoyed and just kicked me out!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So... with him...\" Cassidy started, her eyes glinting with malicious curiosity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline leaned further into the role of the jilted, pathetic girl. Cassidy took the bait, a smug, internal smirk forming. *Serves her right. Slept with another man and got tossed aside like trash. What an absolute idiot.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy donned a mask of fake sympathy. \"Oh, sister, it’s okay. You’re such a good person; you’ll find someone who doesn't mind your past eventually.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That's true,\" Evangeline murmured. \"You should stay positive too, sister.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until her knuckles turned ivory. That brainless bint was mocking her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline didn't bother looking at her. She tilted her head back against the seat and feigned sleep, too exhausted by the charade to continue the performance.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once the car pulled into the Montgomery estate, Evangeline unbuckled, her hand subtly brushing the underside of the passenger seat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside the foyer, she turned to the house staff. \"Cassidy’s stomach has been acting up. Make sure dinner is light and nutritious. Stick to the bland stuff.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy trailed in behind her, patting her own belly. *How thoughtful of her to handle the menu.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At the dinner table, Marilyn ladled a bowl of creamy seafood chowder into a bowl for Cassidy. \"Eat up, dear. You look pale. You need to keep your strength up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy took a sip. It was perfect—salty, rich, and soothing on her raw, irritated stomach. She’d been struggling with morning sickness and hadn't been able to keep a proper meal down for days. This hit the spot.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline watched her mother’s genuine concern and felt a pang of worry. *When Mom finally sees what Cassidy really is, will it break her heart?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">People were so predictably obsessed with things they couldn't have. If Cassidy had just focused, she would have inherited the firm one day. Even as an adopted daughter, with the Montgomery name behind her, she could have been untouchable. But greed had blinded her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, Evangeline knocked on Cassidy’s door. No answer. \"Sister, I'm coming in!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room was empty; the sound of a running shower echoed from the bathroom. Evangeline walked straight to the headboard, sliding a small device into the seam between the frame and the wall.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they were ready to leave, Evangeline and Cassidy headed down to the garage. They were waiting for the elevator when a figure lunged from the shadows, grabbing Evangeline’s arm.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Jonah! Are you having a mental breakdown?\" Evangeline snapped, her voice cold as ice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm sorry, Evangeline. I didn't mean to scare you.\" Jonah didn't let go. He looked like a wreck—stubble, dark circles, hair a mess. He smelled like a distillery. A classic drunk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let go,\" she commanded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Please, don't break up with me! I can't survive without you!\" He sounded like a total simp, his eyes bloodshot and desperate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Didn't we go over this? You messed up. You didn't take responsibility for what you did to my sister, and now you think you can just crawl back to me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is this because of her?\" Jonah pointed a trembling finger at Cassidy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She's just an adopted parasite!\" Jonah roared, his voice echoing off the concrete. \"She crawled into your fiancé's bed—why are you trying to push me onto her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Smack.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline’s palm met his cheek with a sharp, crisp sound.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah stumbled back, his grip loosening. The pure disgust in her eyes hit him harder than the slap. Evangeline turned on her heel and stepped into the elevator, leaving Jonah to face the fury of the woman he’d just insulted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you pathetic or what, Jonah?\" Cassidy hissed, her voice vibrating with rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Pathetic? You're the one who’s desperate, you back-alley piece of trash!\" Jonah spat before storming off.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy let out a guttural, primal scream. Her face contorted into a mask of pure, ugly malice. \"Jonah, I will make you beg to marry me! Just you wait!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272911027]