The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot

Evelyn quickly took out her phone while Zevian scooped Kiana from her arms. He leaned forward, and both watched Annabelle’s live broadcast, which had started just a few minutes ago.

Tears streamed down Annabelle’s cheeks as Felicia comforted her. Turning to the camera, the middle-aged woman said, "Everything you saw in the press note is true, but there’s another side to this story." Patting Annabelle’s back, she continued, "Come on, Anna."

Annabelle sniffled, her hands trembling as she wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes met Sophia’s, who was standing nearby. At her nod, Annabelle began her act.

"I tried to hide it, afraid my family would fall apart again. But..." Annabelle paused, wiping her eyes with a tissue. Taking a deep breath, she continued, her eyes fixed on her hands, "Evelyn made a deal with Uncle Nicholas that if he gave her 5% of his shares, she would bring me to him. Unfortunately, Aunt Felicia found out about their scheme and asked me not to drink anything in the club."

Annabelle couldn’t continue, her heartbroken expression making the viewers fall easily for her story.

Felicia took over, her voice filled with righteous anger. "I was furious, not expecting Evelyn to stoop so low. So, I convinced Anna to make Evelyn taste her own medicine. We exchanged glasses and tricked Evelyn into drinking the one she had asked the bartender to spike. Then we took her to the hotel, as per their plan, and you know the rest."

Annabelle continued crying, her voice trembling. "I was so happy when Evelyn asked me to go clubbing with her. I... I thought she had finally accepted me as her sister. I thought our family would finally be happy-" She cried loudly, her words left unsaid but tugging at the viewers’ heartstrings.

Felicia patted Annabelle’s back, consoling the poor woman who broke down completely. Turning to the camera, she continued, "I know our intentions weren’t pure, and we truly apologize for dragging Mr. Reign into it. But if you still think we’re wrong and Evelyn is innocent, you can ask Nicholas and even that bartender."

The viewers were already cursing Evelyn in the comments section. Annabelle didn’t stop her act and continued, "It’s all my fault. Evelyn thinks I snatched her position in the Wright family and hates me. I deserve all this hatred from her for suddenly showing up after all these years. It’s all my fault, and I am sorry, Evelyn."

"This woman is really something," Avery grumbled, fuming with frustration. Rosalind, who was watching with her, felt her blood pressure rising. They had entirely flipped the narrative, making Evelyn the villain again.

Even Jonathan couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the twisted war. The photos and proofs Reign Constructions posted perfectly aligned with whatever these two women claimed online, and if they tried to retract or take down the images, it would only fuel the fire burning against Evelyn on the internet.

Evelyn’s grip tightened on her phone, her knuckles turning white as a storm brewed in her eyes. A sinking feeling settled in her heart as she watched Annabelle’s tearful face. Just when she thought she had beaten her at least once, here Annabelle was, giving a greater blow.

Zevian, sensing her distress, placed his hand on hers. As she looked at him, he said firmly, "We’ll handle this."

"Yes! Let’s go live and say they are lying!" Avery suggested, but Rosalind stopped her, feeling these catfights on the internet would only entertain the viewers instead of proving Evelyn’s innocence.

"We need to shift the narrative. Let’s hold a party to celebrate our wedding this weekend," Zevian suggested. When everyone looked at him in confusion, he continued, "Let’s do it at the Reign mansion."

Rosalind didn’t understand why at first but nodded with a smile. As long as they stood with Evelyn and showed they believed her, people would slowly start doubting the ongoing debates. Sensing how eager this group was to dig dirt on Evelyn, she was sure they could trap them during the party.

"A party?" Kiana, who had been silent and confused until now, beamed with delight. When Zevian nodded, she clapped her hands and squealed, "Yay! Then, can I get a new dress?"

"Of course, darling," Avery replied with a smile. Turning to Evelyn, she continued, "How about we have breakfast first and go shopping?" Kiana would be the perfect distraction for Evelyn from this mess.

"But I have school," Kiana murmured with a pout. Ever since her sneak out that day, the one where she had met Evelyn, her daddy made sure to keep John with her all the time, even inside the class, so she couldn’t escape school anymore.

"You can skip for today," Zevian said, causing his daughter to look at him in surprise. Kiana blinked at him before squealing in joy. She quickly got down to get ready.

Everyone smiled as Kiana happily chatted with Agatha, who carried her upstairs, easing the tension in the room.

Zevian turned to Evelyn and assured her again, "Don’t worry about it. Just enjoy your day with her." When Evelyn nodded with a small smile, he excused himself and went upstairs to get ready for the office.

———

After breakfast with the Reign couple, Avery and Evelyn went shopping with Kiana, with John acting as their chauffeur. They arrived at a boutique that tailored clothes specifically for the Reign family. Kiana happily sat on her mommy’s lap while Avery picked out clothes from the racks.

"This would look perfect on her," Avery suggested, holding up a golden gown with a mermaid tail. Evelyn looked at the dress and shook her head, feeling it would be hard for Kiana to walk freely. Seeing her mommy didn’t like it, Kiana imitated her and shook her head too.

"Look at you being so filial," Avery commented with a chuckle. If not for Evelyn being here today, this little girl would have roamed around the place, turning it upside down with her tantrums.

"Let’s try that one," Evelyn mumbled, catching sight of a pink satin gown with a cute collar and puffy long sleeves. The thick velvet cloth would keep her warm since the party was scheduled for the evening.

"Yes, I love it!" Kiana nodded gingerly without even looking at the gown. Evelyn broke into a chuckle and lightly pinched the little girl’s nose, causing Kiana to giggle.

Even the staff, who had a whole set ready knowing how picky this Reign princess was, were surprised and smiled as Kiana finalized her dress. Once they were done picking a few more dresses, they waited for the manager to bill them.

Avery took the bags while Evelyn carried Kiana out of the boutique. As they reached the entrance, a trio of women blocked their way.

"Oh, look! The evil Evelyn is here," murmured the leader, Elaine Kim, one of Evelyn’s college friends. Avery gritted her teeth; Elaine was the heir of Kim Law Firm and now Annabelle’s friend. She would surely cause a scene!

"Let’s go," Avery mumbled, ignoring them. But as Evelyn tried to step away, Elaine stepped in front of her, causing even Kiana to scowl in disapproval.

"We are meeting after such a long time, Evil Evelyn. Let’s have some coffee together, shall we?" Elaine said, her group nodding in agreement. She turned to Evelyn and continued, "We’re all so eager to know how you managed to seduce Mr. Reign and learn from you. Right, girls?"

Kiana’s eyes narrowed in anger as the lady called her mommy evil. Clutching her cup, she hatched a plan to defend her. "Do you like strawberry shake instead of coffee, Aunty?"

Elaine’s face beamed with a smile, and she nodded. "Sure, why not?"

Before Elaine could continue, Kiana suddenly opened the lid of her cup and threw her favorite strawberry milk right on Elaine’s face.

"What the—" Elaine sputtered.

Kiana didn’t stop there and threw the plastic cup too, which hit Elaine’s nose, making her wince in pain. Huffing loudly, the little devil mumbled, "Hmph! Don’t bully my mommy!"