A Mistress's Fate

Evelyn walked back to the office, her mind replaying the recent encounter with Alexander. A flush remained on her cheeks, stubborn and warm. It took a long while for the heat to finally recede.

Irritated, she pressed the cool back of her hand against her skin.

Why had she even thought Alexander was going to kiss her? The embarrassment was acute.

Yet, she couldn't help but blame him. His behavior had been entirely misleading.

Away from his presence, it was easier to pin the fault on Alexander. She was sure he had been trying to seduce her. Didn't he know the effect he had?

After a few deep breaths, she managed to calm her racing heart.

She had been with Julian for five years. Never once had she felt such an immediate, powerful pull.

Clearly, Alexander's appeal was on another level entirely.

She had once believed she loved Julian. Now, seeing his true colors, she knew he possessed no redeeming qualities.

Alexander was undoubtedly the superior man.

Her thoughts drifted, but she quickly schooled her features as she entered the office building.

Stepping inside, she noticed several empty desks. The usual hum of activity was muted.

She understood why when she passed the break room.

Genevieve's voice was the first she heard. "I saw Evelyn get out of a luxury car earlier. That has to be her benefactor. Calling him her husband? Please. That's just a cover for her sugar daddy."

Another colleague sounded hesitant. "Really? Is Evelyn being kept? You never can tell, I suppose."

Evelyn recognized the voice. It belonged to a woman who had recently become Genevieve's lackey after receiving a pricey gift.

A few others were there too, their whispers sharp and judgmental.

Without a second thought, Evelyn quietly opened the recording app on her phone.

"I didn't see anything either."

"But maybe he really is her husband. Evelyn is very beautiful. She could attract a wealthy man."

Genevieve snorted. "Marrying rich is one thing. Marrying some shady old man would be pathetic."

After a deliberate pause, Genevieve declared with conviction, "I stand by it. He's her patron. Evelyn has no connections, no background. What respectable wealthy bachelor in this city would seriously consider a woman like her? At most, she'd only ever be a mistress. I've seen plenty of her type in elite circles. Women more interested in wallets than hearts."

"Is that how it really is?"

"Genevieve is right. Why would a man of means look twice at someone like her? Only a woman of Genevieve's caliber, a true heiress, belongs in a prestigious family."

Genevieve smirked. "I knew Evelyn was nothing special from the beginning. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she secured the top interview spot by sleeping with her sponsor."

Evelyn had heard enough. As the slander escalated, she pushed the break room door open. The group inside jumped, startled by her sudden appearance.

"Are you all quite finished?" Evelyn's gaze was glacial as it swept the room, finally landing on Genevieve.

The others flinched, quickly looking away. They hadn't expected to be caught.

One colleague tried to play innocent. "Evelyn, what's this about? We were just having a casual chat."

"A casual chat?" Evelyn raised her phone and played the recording back. The room tensed instantly, faces paling with alarm. "Is that clear enough? I'd be happy to forward this to legal. Let them determine the consequences for slander and defamation."