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The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot-Chapter 15: A Deserving Slap
Chapter 15: A Deserving Slap
Avery’s smile widened, feeling a bit proud to have elicited such a reaction from Zevian. Out of all the people who had pestered her to reveal who this "Grace" was, his family topped the list. Evelyn had recently renovated the entire Reign mansion and Zevian’s house, with unique designs that had particularly awed his parents, Rosalind and Jonathan Reign. Even Zevian secretly admired her work for bringing life back to this once-dead home.
Zevian closed his mouth, composing his expression, but the shock in his eyes made Evelyn smile too. Many speculated that Grace was an elderly woman because of her royal yet modern designs. He couldn’t have imagined that this gorgeous woman sitting before him—now his wife—was the genius behind them.
"What do you think of this negotiation, Mr. Reign?" Avery asked, flipping her hair back and crossing her arms smugly. She had tried every trick to make Reign Constructions invest in her company, and even her aunt Rosalind, who adored her, couldn’t convince this devil. But now, it seemed like she had found a better person to tame him.
Zevian leaned back, weighing the situation. Awe Interiors has been growing fast, garnering quick attention in the construction industry. They were in a make-or-break stage, and while he had planned to invest once they reached a more solid footing, the risk of losing Evelyn outweighed his initial decision.
"Fine," Zevian agreed, his voice steady but eyes betraying his awe.
"Love can indeed make people fools," Avery murmured, smiling at her cousin. She quickly called her assistant, instructing them to prepare the papers and arrive promptly. Zevian also called his assistant to make the necessary changes, worried that Evelyn might change her decision, which he definitely couldn’t afford.
After almost an hour, a duo rushed into Zevian’s house, one still in her pajamas while the other had messy hair.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Wisely took his own sweet time to wake up," Leona, Avery’s assistant, grumbled as she approached her bosses, referring to their lawyer. Evelyn apologetically nodded, feeling guilty for calling Leona in the middle of the night, while Avery checked the agreement papers.
Brandon, who had also walked over to his boss and passed the file, stood groggily beside him. He had stayed in the office because of the havoc his boss had caused earlier, forcing their entire PR team to pull an all-nighter. Glancing at Evelyn, curious about the woman who had managed to melt their iceberg, he couldn’t help but approve of his selection. freёweɓnovel.com
Sensing his assistant staring at his wife a little too much, Zevian cleared his throat, causing Brandon to avert his eyes. Not even a day, and his boss already seemed possessive of his wife.
Avery exchanged the documents with Zevian, and once they finished reading everything, the trio signed the investment papers. Later, Evelyn and Zevian signed the altered marriage contract with the addition of a few more conditions.
"I am looking forward to working with you, Mr. Reign." Evelyn extended her hand, a cheeky smile lighting up her face. Zevian couldn’t help but smile back.
"Likewise, Miss Grace," he replied, shaking her hand, marking the beginning of their new start. Avery hugged the investment contract and squealed in joy. She smiled at the couple, hoping everything would go well for them this time.
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The next day arrived early. Avery, who had agreed to stay a few more days at Evelyn’s request, came downstairs, stretching her arms. The fresh smell of bread lifted her spirits, and she walked toward her best friend sitting on the couch in the hall.
"Good morning," Avery greeted, squeezing Evelyn in a hug who smiled back warmly. She quickly grabbed the tablet from the table and scrolled through the news.
A wide smile spread across her lips as she read the articles about the scandalous wedding, specifically how the Blake family was trapped in their web of lies, with evidence and statements from the investigation bureau. Zevian’s team had indeed done a great job, she mused, discussing the same with Evelyn.
A detailed press note was released by Reign Constructions, citing Evelyn’s innocence, their CEO’s involvement, and his sudden decision to marry her. It described how, on the 8th of this month, Evelyn and her sister Annabelle were seen leaving a club and entering a car belonging to Nicholas, with Felicia pushing a tipsy Evelyn inside.
Further, they claimed that Evelyn’s drinks were spiked, and to save herself from the Blakes’ scheme, she had entered the wrong suite of the hotel, one coincidentally belonging to their CEO. Initially, Zevian thought she was seducing him that night, but when allegations and photos of her with Nicholas surfaced, he decided to step in and take responsibility.
The photos were so convincing that no one suspected them. When the cops also released a press note charging the Blake family with defaming Evelyn and causing mental distress to Zevian Reign, the internet erupted in anger against them.
Some comments even turned against Annabelle, claiming she was the real villain, trying to snatch Vincent away from Evelyn, having seen her acting rather too coy around the Blake heir. They fumed with speculation on how this real Wright heiress had joined hands with Felicia to bully poor Evelyn. Avery sighed in relief, glad to see people finally noticing the truth.
As Agatha approached with another maid carrying a tray, Avery inquired, "Where’s Zevian?" She wanted to praise him and perhaps give him a little gift through Evelyn. He totally deserved it!
"Master went on a stroll with Miss Kiana, Young Miss," Agatha replied, gesturing for the maid to serve coffee to the ladies. Kiana had woken up early and was anxious to greet her new mommy, so Zevian took her out to keep her distracted until Evelyn woke up.
"Look, their stocks are going down the drain." Avery showed the article, laughing as memes about Felicia spread online. Evelyn smiled, both enjoying the quick downfall of the Blakes. But their happiness was short-lived as someone barged into the house, with security trying to stop them.
"You can’t get inside—"
Evelyn and Avery both stood up from the couch to see Felicia storming in, followed by Sophia and Annabelle. Avery broke into a smile, expecting them after the news, their fuming expressions making it even more satisfying.
"What kind of nonsense did you spread on the internet? When did we ever spike your drink?!" Felicia screamed, her marriage hanging by a thread as her husband was enraged with the plummeting stocks.
"Why? Do you think only you can doctor photos, Mrs. Blake? And even if our story is fake, your intentions of breaking your son’s engagement and fixing Evelyn with his uncle are true. So, stop acting like you’re innocent." Avery spoke up, her words infuriating Felicia even more.
Sophia who had a similar headache, couldn’t understand why Zevian would even care to help Evelyn. If he kept digging into the past few months’ scandals around Evelyn, she feared she would be in Felicia’s place soon. Unable to hold back, she asked, "Are you pregnant with Mr. Reign’s child, Evelyn?"
Everyone gasped at her question, a few maids coming closer to the hall to hear the gossip.
Evelyn’s reaction didn’t change; rather, it was too calm to their surprise. Crossing her arms, she replied with a smile. "That’s your forte, Mrs. Wright. And even if I tried seducing him, I think I could never stoop to such a low level."
Her words sent another wave of shock through the room, while Avery snickered at Sophia’s face. Even Annabelle pressed her lips together as her mother’s expression paled. Evelyn’s comment hit a nerve, as everyone knew how Sophia had seduced William after his wife’s death and forced him to marry her by getting pregnant with Elias. At least, that’s what everyone believed.
Sophia gritted her teeth, her last shred of patience breaking after all the chaos since last night. She raised her hand and slapped Evelyn hard on the cheek, the sound echoing in the room.
Just when everyone expected Evelyn to react, someone suddenly grabbed Sophia’s shoulder, forcing her to turn around. Without giving Sophia a chance to respond, they slapped her, harder than she had hit Evelyn.