The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

The next day, Evelyn stood in front of the large gates of the Wright Mansion. Bouncers filled the entire area, restricting media access and anything that could disrupt the peace inside.

"We have strict orders not to let you inside," the security personnel declared, standing straight. He looked inside the car, and upon recognizing Evelyn’s team, rejected their entry without a second thought.

Luckily, the media couldn’t see through the tinted windows, dismissing them as just another important friend or distant family of William Wright.

"But you can’t stop a police officer from conducting an investigation," Dravin replied from the front seat, making the man grimace in frustration.

"The family took the body without informing us of their intent to forgo an autopsy. We have every right to know before the body is cremated," Dravin continued, having planned the approach beforehand.

Though Dravin disliked treating a suspect with such regard, Theodore and his team had insisted that Evelyn was innocent and deserved their trust. Wright was a politician who had never dirtied his hands despite countless opportunities, so the police decided to assist him this once.

"But why does she have to come?" the security officer asked, still firm on refusing Evelyn entry. Sophia would cut their throats if they allowed her in.

"We need to question her in front of the victim’s family," Dravin reasoned. When the man still seemed unconvinced, Dravin sighed and glanced at Zevian, signaling he was out of options.

"Please... I won’t take long." Evelyn finally spoke, her words causing the guard to glance at the back seat.

"You’ve seen me grow up, Travis," she added softly. He had served their family for decades, witnessing their hardships and victories, and perhaps still held a soft spot for her.

Travis looked at Evelyn, his eyes lacking the kindness he usually greeted her with. It seemed the accusations were too powerful, and no one was willing to even hear her side.

"Fine. Just don’t cause any drama, please." Travis relented, mainly concerned about his master. William was devastated beyond measure, and it pained Travis to see him suffer again.

The gates opened, and Evelyn’s car entered, followed by another carrying Rita, Lucius, and his team. Matteo had already left after unsuccessfully trying to convince Rita to return with him. If she cared about someone, she would rather die for them than see them suffer, that was why he had broken up with her.

The entrance to the building was decorated with white flowers, the atmosphere somber and filled with heartache. Today would be a difficult day, potentially holding even more shocks and heartbreaks. Evelyn didn’t seem ready for either.

Rita sighed heavily as she gazed at the open doors, then followed Evelyn closely.

Guests murmured amongst themselves, their eyes fixed on Evelyn. Disgust and anger were evident on their faces, but all that mattered to Evelyn was her father.

Her gaze landed on William, seated at a distance from where Annabelle’s body lay in a glass box. The scene reminded her of Gracia’s funeral—eerie in its similarity. William hadn’t wanted it in a funeral hall; he’d brought Annabelle home, wanting her to be here one last time. The same arrangement was made now, making Evelyn’s heart clench as she realized he still didn’t know Annabelle’s true identity.

Zevian held her hand tightly, his eyes scanning the crowd for Elias, but neither he nor Sophia was in sight. Was she keeping him locked away to silence him? Lucius seemed to share the same thought, both of them on edge and ready for any surprises.

"What’s he doing here?" Rita muttered under her breath, noticing Ronan and Carson mingling among the guests. Quickly, she refocused and followed Evelyn, holding onto her crutch as they approached the glass box.

It was beautifully decorated with white roses, set on a metal stand so guests could view Annabelle clearly, one last time.

Evelyn’s heart clenched seeing Laila lying so peacefully in the box. Her face was paler, the makeup barely covering the signs of death. She wore a white velvet dress, and knife marks marred her right hand, a reminder of the tragic event that had taken her life.

A tear slipped down Evelyn’s cheek as her gaze fell on Laila’s stomach, mourning the poor baby who would never see the world. No one deserved to die without a single breath, let alone be killed because of someone else’s mistakes.

Sophia, who had been upstairs, saw Evelyn and paled. She hurried down, tears slipping naturally from her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Sophia shouted, her voice trembling with emotion. Looking at the bouncers, she commanded, "Take her out! Now!"

When they didn’t move at her command, she frowned and approached William. "Honey! Tell them to take her away!"

William sat like a statue, his face expressionless, his body limp and weak. Evelyn’s heart ached to see him this way, reliving the same pain he’d felt after losing Gracia—this time, for a stranger. For a woman who wasn’t even his daughter.

"Our poor Anna wouldn’t want this, William. Please, tell her to leave." Sophia implored, dropping to her knees. She held William’s hand, crying openly, her head resting on it.

William remained silent, his gaze fixed on the glass box. As Sophia continued to beg, she glared at Evelyn and rose to her feet.

Wiping her tears, she declared, "Leave, Evelyn. We don’t want to see you. You took Gracia from us, and now her poor daughter—"

"Oh, stop it!" Evelyn snapped, her loud voice shocking everyone.

"What—"

"How long are you going to play this charade?" Evelyn demanded, frustration evident in the tears gathering in her eyes. Looking at William, she went on, "She’s dead, and you can’t keep doing this to him."

"What did I do?" Sophia retorted, her tears flowing freely. She seemed ready for everything, only adding to Evelyn’s anger.

"You hired Laila to pretend to be his dead daughter, Sophia. Stop acting like Annabelle was his real daughter! For god’s sake, enough!"

The guests gasped at her accusation, exchanging glances as murmurs filled the once-silent hall.

"Oh, now you’re accusing me?" Sophia murmured, shaking her head. Sniffling, she looked up and asked, "What proof do you have to back up such lies, Evelyn?"

"We have their real DNA results," Evelyn replied, refusing to back down today. This woman needed to be exposed once and for all. Using someone’s death to gain sympathy was beyond despicable.

"You probably faked them!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, noticing that everyone seemed to believe Sophia’s version. She’d always been painted as the villain, so naturally, they wouldn’t believe her.

Evelyn’s gaze found Ronan in the corner. "She’s the daughter of the late Mrs. Igor," she declared without hesitation.

Walking over to Ronan, she took his arm and pleaded, "Please tell them, Ronan. Tell them Annabelle was your sister, not his real daughter. Please."

To her shock, Ronan pulled his arm from her grasp. Evelyn looked at him, stunned, then turned to William glancing at her. He was finally showing some emotion. It was the look of pure disgust, the same look he’d given her when Gracia died.

Sophia lowered her head, her smirk hidden beneath her loud sobs. Evelyn was doomed, and this time, no one could save her.