Lincoln accelerated the car, and as they moved further into the city, the wind and rain seemed to lessen. The car smoothly passed through the pouring rain, and by midnight, they finally arrived safely in D.C.  

At this point, the heavy downpour had turned into a light drizzle, not dense but still enough to make the streetlights on either side appear dim.  

They were driving on the airport highway, and when Lincoln saw a gas station ahead, he drove the car in, filled it up, gave the car a quick wash, and then parked in a spot by a flowerbed.  

After several hours of driving, they needed a short rest.  

Glen, in the backseat, had been sleeping soundly, and Evelyn felt a bit of soreness in her arm.  

At this moment, Lincoln came over and knocked on the window. Evelyn rolled it down, and he handed her a bottle of water, the cap already unscrewed.  

Evelyn glanced at him and noticed the weariness in his eyes. She decided to take over the driving for the rest of the journey. She secured Glen in his seat, making sure his seatbelt was fastened, and then opened the car door to get out. 

Taking the water, she drank a couple of sips.  

"We’ve just entered the D.C. area. It’ll probably take another hour to get home. I’ll drive from here, you rest."  

Evelyn said, offering a few words.  

Lincoln gave her a questioning look, his eyes filled with doubt.  

"I’m fine. I can do it," she reassured him.  

Evelyn knew he was worried about her injury, but it was only a small bruise from the previous fainting episode after her fever. It wasn’t a big deal, and she wasn’t weak enough that she couldn’t even drive.  

Seeing her insist, Lincoln’s face, usually serious, softened with a slight smile, and he nodded, "Alright."  

With that, he opened the back door and sat down.  

Evelyn smiled faintly and was about to sit in the driver’s seat when suddenly, there was the loud sound of a car door slamming shut behind her. She instinctively turned around.  

It was a white Ferrari, and the license plate had the distinctive ‘8888’…  

Joseph’s car!  

Evelyn’s heart stirred with confusion. Why would Joseph’s car be here at this late hour? 

A coldness flashed in her eyes, and her gaze pierced through the rain to the front... 

And when she saw those two familiar figures, Evelyn’s entire world seemed to collapse in a terrifying way. She even felt a shiver in her soul, twisted by something called hatred.  

The woman had a stunningly beautiful face, long black hair cascading down her shoulders, dressed in a pristine white business skirt, exuding both competence and calm. She radiated elegance and subtle grace, her smile bright, mingling with softness and confidence. This woman carried all the charm, gentleness, and poise that a woman should possess…  

This woman, even if turned to ashes, Evelyn would never forget!

Chloe! 

The woman who took everything from her in her past life, who caused her to be disgraced and die a miserable death!  

The man standing next to her was Joseph, the man who was originally supposed to be engaged to Evelyn!  

In the faint light ahead, the cold and aloof man was dressed in a dark, tailored suit, his handsome features, tall and upright posture, and a pair of ink-black eyes that conveyed nobility and beauty, exuding a coldness that kept people at a distance. There was also a subtle trace of melancholy about him...  

She had to admit, Joseph indeed had the charm to make people fall for him. In her past life, Evelyn had truly considered spending her entire life with him. 

The pain and anger engulfing Evelyn in the darkness screamed within her.  

The downfall of HC.Co, the defeat of the Harrison clan, ARTHUR's misfortune, her grandfather’s regretful departure...  

All these pains swept over her like a raging tide, suffocating her in an instant. In that moment, her eyes turned red with fury!  

To hell with a lifetime!  

To hell with rationality!  

Right now, she just wanted to twist, to explode on the spot!  

She truly wanted to kill these two bitches!

“Chloe, give me some time. I can handle those things, trust me.”  

Joseph held Chloe’s shoulders, his deep and helpless voice carrying a tenderness Evelyn had never received in both of her lifetimes. The way he looked at Chloe was so soft it could melt water.  

In her past life, it seemed that Chloe hadn’t come to their engagement party. She had been sent on a business trip by Duke Harrison and only returned the next day, likely around this time.  

Joseph had gotten drunk the night before their engagement, and it was probably because of her, right?  

“Joseph, I’ve made it clear to you, it’s impossible for us in this life. You are Evelyn’s fiancé, remember that. There has never been anything between us, and there never will be. Do you understand?”  

Chloe looked up at Joseph, whose face was filled with suppressed sadness, and couldn’t help but sigh. She tugged at his wrinkled suit and turned her head away, allowing him to hold onto her.  

Hearing this, a shadow of sorrow passed through Joseph’s eyes, and he said coldly, “You know I don’t like Evelyn. Chloe, you’re kind to everyone, but you’re so cruel to me! You know I don’t like her, yet you keep pushing me toward her… Why? Tell me! What’s wrong with me that makes you so determined?”  

“Why? Because you’re Joseph, and she’s Evelyn! You don’t have to like her, but she likes you! The marriage between the James family and the Harrison clan is a done deal. Lord James always wanted her to marry you. Don’t you understand? What is Evelyn’s status, and what is mine? No matter how pathetic I am, I will never steal my sister’s man, and I won’t degrade myself by climbing into your so-called noble circle!”  

Chloe looked up at Joseph, and as she spoke these words, the restrained anger in her eyes finally surfaced.  

Joseph looked at her, feeling a sharp pang in his heart. He quickly embraced her and comforted her, “I’m sorry, … I was too hasty… I’m sorry… The engagement ceremony wasn’t completed, Evelyn isn’t my fiancée… I can’t force myself to like her, just like I can’t force myself to stay away from you…”  

“Joseph, I know you care about me, but… forgive me… I don’t want to lie to you. Perhaps my feelings for you are the same as yours for Evelyn. So, I hope you don’t let me stop you from having someone like Evelyn. If you don’t marry her, you’ll regret it. And as for me, I have someone I like… We can be friends, and we’re more suited to be friends…”  

Chloe took a deep breath and pulled away from Joseph’s embrace.  

“I don’t believe it!”  

Joseph grabbed her, and a kiss fell on her lips, trying to silence her words!  

...  

Enough, right?  

What brilliant acting!  

So disgusting! Hypocritical!

In her past life, Evelyn truly died without injustice. To think she could rival an Oscar-winning actress with her acting skills—how could Evelyn possibly compete! 

She clenched her fists, a layer of ice and snow covering her body. A sharp and cold light flickered deep in her eyes, as if the curtain blocking her chest had been suddenly torn away, exposing her heart, mottled and filled with hatred!  

But she didn’t rush forward, nor did she scream in agony!  

If this had happened back then, she probably would have exploded and slapped Joseph twice, but now—  

At this moment, the greatest trait of a smart woman is that she knows how to endure and hold herself together!  

She took a deep breath, then suddenly turned her head to look at the man who had been silent behind her. With a calm voice, she asked, “Where’s your phone?”  

Lincoln’s expression was cold, his deep eyes seemed to hold a thousand stars. His gaze swept over her face, and his long hand reached out, offering her his phone.