Chapter 20 Night had fallen . Evelyn walked out of the office building with her briefcase in hand . The streetlights stretched her shadow long across the ground . She glanced at her watch , thinking about stopping by the market for groceries , completely unaware of the figure lurking in the shadows , staring at her . " Evelyn ! " A shrill female voice suddenly pierced the quiet evening . Before Evelyn could react , a bucket of pungent red paint came flying at her . She instinctively turned aside . Most of the paint splashed on the ground , though a few drops hit her sleeve and the tips of her shoes . Lila stood a few steps away , eyes bloodshot , clutching a fruit knife in her trembling hand . " You ruined everything I had , " she screamed , voice cracking . " I'm not going to let you walk away happy ! " The knife flashed under the streetlights as she lunged forward . Evelyn hadn't even stepped back when a figure stepped between them . " Stop . " Simon grabbed Lila's wrist in one swift move . His grip was so tight she cried out in pain , the knife clattering to the ground . Two bodyguards immediately stepped in and restrained her , but Lila thrashed wildly , screaming at Evelyn . " Why ?! Why does someone like you get to have it all ?! " Her makeup had smeared into a mess , and the expensive dress she wore was covered in red paint . There was nothing left of the elegant young lady she once pretended to be . " Matthew destroyed the Hart family for you . My family's finished . I almost went to prison . I had to sneak out of the country just to get here ! " " It's all your fault ! You should die ! Just die already ! " Evelyn looked at the hysterical woman coldly , almost amused . This was the same Lila who once stood above her , scheming and manipulating her life . Now , she was nothing but a joke . Sirens wailed in the distance . As the police arrived and handcuffed Lila , dragging her toward the squad car , she continued cursing at Evelyn like a madwoman . Chapter 20 15.87 % Evelyn looked down at the red stains on her sleeve and reached for a tissue , but before she could pull one out , a crisp white handkerchief was offered in front of her . " Are you alright ? " Simon's brows were furrowed , carefully checking her for injuries . " I'm fine . You got here just in time . " Evelyn took the handkerchief . Her fingers brushed against his , and both of them froze for a moment . Just then , hurried footsteps echoed behind them . Matthew rushed over , breathing heavily . He hadn't even put on his jacket , and sweat had soaked his hair . His eyes darted between Evelyn and Simon before landing on her stained hand . " Evelyn ... " His voice cracked . Evelyn looked at him , a cold smirk tugging at her lips . " This is the woman you chose to protect . ' " Matthew , you have terrible taste . " He could see the softness in her eyes when she thanked Simon , and the indifference in her gaze when she looked at him . The contrast felt like a knife twisting in his chest . " Evelyn , I know I messed up ... " His voice trembled . " Messed up ? " Evelyn laughed . " Was it the fake pregnancy or drugging me to manipulate my memory that you call a mistake ? " Matthew's face turned pale . He took a step forward to grab her hand . " Please , just give me one more chance ... " were the one who threw them away " is touch . " I gave you countless chances . You " Another chance ? " Evelyn stepped back , avoiding A breeze blew past , lifting a strand of her hair . Simon subtly stepped closer , shielding her from the wind . The small gesture stabbed at Matthew's eyes . He opened his mouth to speak again but realized there was nothing he could say that would change anything . The police car drove away , and the crowd dispersed . Evelyn folded the handkerchief and handed it back to Simon . " Let's go . " Matthew stood motionless , watching them walk away side by side . His mind drifted to years ago- Evelyn kneeling in the snow , cleaning the floor after being bullied by Haley . He had rushed home and scooped her into his arms . She'd clung to his collar , shivering , Chapter 20 15.87 % whispering , " Matthew , I'm fine ... " But now , she wouldn't endure for him . She wouldn't soften for him anymore . A nearby streetlight cast a long shadow behind him . Matthew pulled out a cigarette , but his hands were shaking so hard he couldn't even light it . As he watched Simon's car disappear into the night , his expression turned cold . Even if it cost him everything , he would get Evelyn back . Chapter 20