CHAPTER 18: THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

[ A Week Later—Carter Mansion]

The faint sound of birdsong drifted in through the half-open window, mixing with the rustle of the morning newspaper.

Gregory Carter sat at the head of the table with his eyes skimming the headlines but his mind was elsewhere.

Across from him, Melissa’s agitation was nearly palpable.

With her lips pressed thin and her fingers tapping restlessly against the china, she finally snapped, "I am telling you, Gregory, this reeks of the Reids. Who else would dare stir up a second scandal right after the first died down? It’s too neat and too deliberate."

It had been over a week since the second scandal but Melissa Carter still hadn’t let it go and couldn’t stop blaming the Reids for it.

Gregory exhaled as he lowered the paper. "Melissa—"

"Don’t ’Melissa’ me," she interrupted sharply. "You have seen how conveniently everything happened. Evelyn’s name barely starts to fade from the news and suddenly another round of whispers, photos and half-truths pops up. You can’t tell me that family isn’t behind it."

Gregory studied her quietly. She wasn’t wrong, at least, not entirely. He too had wondered if the Reids had found a way to turn the public narrative in their favor. Jack’s reputation needed protecting and that family always had a knack for covering their messes.

But he also knew his wife’s temper and how quickly her words could turn into accusations and how fast those accusations could spread if she wasn’t reined in.

Their family, especially Evelyn, didn’t need another storm.

"Melissa—" Gregory said finally. His tone was calm but firm. "Enough, we have been through this."

"Through this?" she echoed incredulously. "Gregory, our daughter’s reputation is being shredded and you want me to stay quiet? You think silence fixes anything?"

"No—" he said softly, folding the newspaper, "but anger doesn’t either."

Melissa’s eyes flashed but the fire behind them wasn’t just fury, it was fear. "I just want to protect her," she sighed. "You didn’t see her face that day, she looked so small, like the world had just swallowed her whole."

Gregory’s chest tightened. He had seen it. He still saw it every time Evelyn passed him in the hallway with that polite, empty smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"I did," he said quietly. "And that’s exactly why we need to be careful. If she hears you talking like this, she will start believing everyone is out to get her and she is fragile enough as it is."

Melissa looked away, biting her lip and for a moment, the only sound in the room was the faint ticking of the clock and the distant hum of traffic outside.

Just then, footsteps interrupted the silence.

Evelyn appeared in the doorway, dressed simply in a soft beige sweater and light jeans with hair tied back.

Patricia followed behind her, cheerful as ever, twirling the car keys in her hand.

"Going somewhere?" Gregory asked, relieved by the change in air.

"Patricia is dragging me to the mall," Evelyn said, forcing a small smile. "She says I have been hibernating long enough."

"Good," Gregory said, nodding. "You need a little fresh air."

Melissa forced a smile too, though her worry clung to her words. "That is really nice, just be careful, dear." She looked at Patricia. "Both of you."

Evelyn gave her a thumbs up. "We will."

As the girls left, Gregory leaned back in his chair, staring into his untouched tea.

"Even you know that I am right," Melissa glared at him. "You just don’t want to say it out loud."

He didn’t respond right away. The truth was, he did feel it too but saying it aloud meant giving her more reason to obsess and to lash out and he couldn’t afford another night of shouting and slamming doors. "Let it go, Melissa. For once, don’t make another scene."

"We will see about that."

Her casual remark made Gregory frown. He knew his wife well enough to understand that she was planning something. "What are you going to do?"

After a long pause which felt like an eternity to him, she said, "The charity club I am a part of has an event this Saturday."

"And?"

"Olivia Reids will also be present." When Gregory frowned, she added, "I cannot wait to cross paths with her."

...

[The Mall]

The hum of weekend chatter filled the air along with the soft sound of footsteps and chatter along with the rustle of shopping bags,

Patricia walked a few steps ahead with the sunglasses perched on her head and her energy infectiously bright.

"Come on, Evie," she said, looping her arm through Evelyn’s. "You are walking like someone dragged you here against your will."

Evelyn gave her a flat look. "That’s because someone did."

Patricia grinned unapologetically. "You are welcome."

They entered one of the high-end boutiques.

Evelyn busied herself flipping through dresses, trying to ignore the faint whispers that occasionally followed her. The second scandal had faded but not completely. Her name still lingered on people’s lips like a rumor refusing to die.

Patricia noticed the subtle stares too. She squeezed Evelyn’s hand. "Ignore them," she muttered. "You don’t owe anyone an explanation."

Evelyn nodded wordlessly, pretending to examine a rack of blouses. That’s when she froze when a familiar voice cut through the background noise.

"Well, look who it is."

Evelyn turned sharply. Jack Reid stood a few feet away with his arm casually draped around a striking brunette. His smirk was as sharp as ever, the kind that once charmed her and now made her stomach twist.

This was the first time she was seeing Jack after the incident and just like that, everything came rushing back. The humiliation, disrespect and every other emotion she had felt that day.

"Didn’t expect to see you here," he said in a tone dripping with false amusement. "I thought you would still be hiding out after all that publicity."

Patricia’s eyes narrowed instantly but Evelyn held up a hand to stop her before she could say anything. "Good to see you too, Jack," she said evenly.

Jack chuckled mockingly. "Still pretending to be unbothered. You always were good at that." He glanced at his new girlfriend, then back at Evelyn with a cruel gleam. "You know, it’s funny for someone who wanted to play the victim, you certainly didn’t waste time finding comfort elsewhere."

Patricia stepped forward. "Watch it, Jack," she said in a sharp tone.

But Jack ignored her. "I mean, I get it. Alexander’s always had a thing for the women I date. Guess old habits die hard in this family," he scoffed with his eyes still on Evelyn.

Evelyn’s cheeks flamed. Her fingers trembled slightly around the purse strap.

She opened her mouth to reply but another voice interrupted her. .

....