The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn)

Without a second thought, Patrick decided to thrust Evelyn-whom he once dismissed-into the limelight without even asking her. In his mind, Evelyn's antics today were all about trying to climb the social ladder. She'd been with Charles for five years without any official recognition. The Jenkins family had never acknowledged Evelyn and her daughter but suddenly chose to publicly recognize Ďahlia and her daughter today. He believed that Evelyn was seething with jealousy and refused to accept this.

Before the banquet kicked off, Evelyn deliberately exposed Sandy as an illegitimate child in front of everyone, including the Jenkins family elders. This move was to ensure that Charles wouldn't dare bring Dahlia and her child into the Jenkins family. The announcement about Charles' fiancée and daughter had already been made, and all the big families and media were waiting outside. Charles was caught between a rock and a hard place. Evelyn was his only option.

Evelyn had played her cards just right-cunning as ever. She knew that once Patrick found out Sandy wasn't Charles' daughter, he wouldn't let Dahlia, with her questionable past, bring an illegitimate child into their family. Prestige was everything to families like the Jenkins; if this scandal got out, their reputation would be toast. At this point, Evelyn was the only choice left. Unlike Dahlia, Evelyn's child was at least Charles' biological daughter.

Patrick wasn't fond of Evelyn's scheming against the Jenkins family, but right now, he had no better options.noveldrama

As soon as Patrick finished speaking, the crowd erupted into applause. The media was on pins and needles, waiting for Charles and Evelyn to take center stage. Although there was some distance between the front hall and outside, Patrick's words clearly reached a few ears inside. Evelyn was about to slip out through a side door when she overheard Patrick and instantly grasped his intent.

Patrick was aware of how much Charles loved Dahlia. He was worried that Charles might ignore his objections and bring Dahlia and her child to the banquet, making their public acknowledgment a done deal. So Patrick acted first, putting Evelyn in the spotlight. A cold smile flickered on Evelyn's lips because she had no intention of sticking around. But just as she was leaving, a bodyguard blocked her path. "Ms. Evelyn, you can't leave now, please!"

With Rosa absent and no one from the Jenkins family to back her up, Evelyn had no choice but to turn back, her face a frosty mask.

Meanwhile, Dahlia watched Evelyn return, her teeth grinding at Patrick's words echoing in her head. 'That wretched old man!'

Her emotions were all over the place, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Her lowered eyelids masked fierce determination. If not for Charles' presence and the fear of tarnishing her image in his eyes, she might have lost it and stormed over teslap Evelyn hard. 'That-conniving woman!'

Dahlia never imagined Evelyn would pull such a stunt. No wonder she chose to spill the beans today. It had to be in front of Charles and Patrick. All of Dahlia's planning and scheming had inadvertently paved the way for Evelyn. How could she not despise her?

"Charles..." Dahlia quickly squashed the rage in her heart. She couldn't let Charles publicly stand with Evelyn This banquet was supposed to be hers and Charles' moment. If Charles showed up with Evelyn, she'd become the laughingstock. She wouldn't stand for it.

Dahlia looked up, tears welling in her eyes, and stumbled over to Charles. She collapsed into his arms and gazed up at him with a heart-tugging look.