The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot-Chapter 71: Settling Scores

The next morning, Catherine’s torment only deepened as she joined the family for breakfast. Zevian and Evelyn were in their little world, lost in a bubble of affection that pricked at Catherine like needles. She had intended to talk to Zevian last night, but they’d returned home late with Kiana peacefully asleep in Evelyn’s arms—the little girl who used to run only to her.

"You’ve got some syrup on your face," Evelyn mumbled, reaching across the table. Before Zevian could react, she wiped the corner of his mouth with her thumb. Then, to everyone’s surprise, she licked it clean, her eyes darting to Catherine with a subtle, knowing gleam.

Avery nearly choked on her water, barely containing her laughter. Catherine, however, paled like she’d just seen a ghost. She looked on helplessly as Zevian’s eyes flickered between shock and amusement, his heart skipping at his wife’s boldness.

"I had to settle scores," Evelyn whispered, wiping Zevian’s lips one last time. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, both recalling how Zevian had done the same to her just a day ago. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, before retreating to his plate.

Catherine’s stomach churned as she caught the exchange. The intimacy. The ease between them. She turned back to her meal, though everything on her plate suddenly seemed tasteless.

"Mommy! Mommy! I’m ready!" Kiana’s cheerful voice interrupted the tension, and the little girl came bouncing into the room, fully dressed in her navy blue uniform.

Catherine’s face brightened, and she stood up, quite sure Kiana would run to her. But the child veered away, rushing straight in Evelyn’s direction across the table.

"I’m hungriee~" Kiana pouted as Evelyn helped her into a chair.

"Aww, I knew you’d be. You didn’t eat much at Grandma’s last night," Evelyn cooed, signaling for the staff to bring food. "Let’s get your favorite—hot chocolate French toast."

"Mummy made them?" Kiana’s eyes sparkled with delight when Evelyn nodded. Catherine stiffened in her seat, watching as Kiana threw her arms around Evelyn in a tight hug. "Mummy’s the best!" Kiana chirped before kissing Evelyn on the cheek.

Evelyn chuckled softly and kissed Kiana’s nose in return. "Eat slowly, sweetheart. We’ve got time before school."

As mother and daughter laughed and chatted, the scene grated on Catherine’s nerves like nails on a chalkboard. That should be her. Not Evelyn. She had spent years building a relationship with Kiana, and now the girl acted as if Evelyn had been there all along.

Kiana finally noticed Catherine staring at her from across the table. "Oh! Morning, Cat!" she greeted with a smile.

Catherine forced out a tight smile and responded quietly, "Morning." She then turned to Zevian and asked, "Zevi, since you’re done, can we talk in private?" Her voice sliced through the room, sharp with pent-up frustration.

Avery’s grip tightened on her knife, her eyes narrowing dangerously at Catherine. One wrong word, and she’d happily kill this woman. free𝑤ebnovel.com

But before Avery could speak, Evelyn beat her to it, her voice sugary sweet. "Sure! He can afford a few minutes before leaving for the office. Right, darling?" she asked, smiling at her husband beside her.

"What do you have to talk about?" Avery still questioned, not as kind-hearted as her friend.

But Catherine could respond to her, Evelyn mused again, "Of course, she will have a lot to talk about, Avy. After all, they spent six long years together and share quite a strong bond."

The maids around the table stifled giggles, their gazes flicking nervously between Evelyn and Catherine. Evelyn’s words were smooth, but the bite underneath was unmistakable—a mocking echo of Catherine’s boasts from the day before. They just started loving their madam even more!

Evelyn turned her gaze to Zevian, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Go on, darling. Take your time."

Zevian shook his head with a smile, amused by his wife’s possessive streak. He rose from his seat, looking at Evelyn as if conveying he would be back soon, and he headed towards his study. Catherine, burning with humiliation, followed him.

Once inside the room, Catherine slammed the door shut, the fury and jealousy she’d been holding back bursting out like a broken dam. "You said you’d never marry again!" Her voice trembled with a mix of disbelief and desperation. "You told me you wouldn’t!"

Zevian rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of this all-too-familiar argument. "I never wanted to marry anyone, Catherine," he said calmly. "Until I met Evelyn again."

His voice softened at the mention of Evelyn, but his eyes carried a quiet storm of emotions—ones that Catherine had never managed to stir in him. He thought back to that first time when he’d seen Evelyn again after six long years, a gun aimed at her. All the media and reports claimed she was happy with Vincent, which had made him give up but when he got to know that it was all a facade, he couldn’t bear to see her in such a state. Contract marriage seemed like the only convenient way to keep her close to him, and take her away from her messed-up family.

"But she’s bad for you!" Catherine blurted, her voice rising. "She has scandals—"

"It doesn’t matter." Zevian cut her off sharply, his gaze unyielding. "I don’t give a damn what anyone says about her. And, bitching about her will only make you lose whatever respect I still have for you."

The coldness in his voice pierced Catherine’s chest like a knife. Her hands trembled as she tried to cling to any semblance of control. "I—But, Zevian—"

"I’ve spoken to Dominic already," Zevian said firmly. "You’ll be staying with him for the rest of your trip. And one last thing," he added, his tone darkening, "I appreciate all you did for Kiana in Qubarc. But don’t ever think of harming Evelyn."

"What if I do?" Catherine asked, her foolish confidence darkening his expression.

"You won’t ever play the piano again." Zevian’s voice dropped to a near-whisper, but the threat was as clear as a blade to the throat.

Catherine recoiled, a shudder running down her spine. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized just how far Zevian had drifted from her. The man she once thought would be hers had turned into a stranger—cold, ruthless, and utterly devoted to another woman.

"The car’s waiting," Zevian said curtly as he brushed past her on his way out.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Catherine’s shoulders slumped. Her tears flowed freely now, her fingers trembling uncontrollably, a sign of her breakdown. She hadn’t seen it coming—how quickly she had been cast aside for Evelyn. "That evil witch," she whispered bitterly. "I’ll get everything back. Mark my words, Evelyn. I’ll take back everything that’s mine!"

Walking out of the room, Catherine didn’t care to even greet Kiana, she stormed out of the house. Avery grinned at her disappearing back, realizing her cousin had been very harsh to his obsessed admirer.

"Could you drop Kiana off at school? I’ve got a meeting with Avery." Evelyn said, driving everyone’s attention back.

Zevian smiled and picked Kiana up into his arms. "Of course. Ready to go, my little devil?"

"Bye, Mommy!" Kiana waved, her bright smile warming Evelyn’s heart who waved back at her.

But just as Zevian was about to leave, Damien barged into the house, his expression tense and haunted. His sudden appearance made every one pause.

"Uh-oh. More drama is incoming," Avery muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. But Damien didn’t acknowledge her, which only made her frown.

"Zevian, we need to talk. Now," Damien said urgently. "In your cellar."

Zevian’s brows furrowed at the tone of his friend’s voice. His cellar was meant for only top private conversations, away from all kinds of ears.

"Can you go with Agatha today, Kiana? Uncle Damien has something important to discuss," he said, trying to coax his daughter into agreeing. She pouted for a moment but nodded, getting down from his arms.

"Bye! Bye," Kiana waved at them as Agatha took her out of the house.

Quickly, they all made their way down the narrow corridor. At the end of it, Zevian pressed his thumb against a hidden scanner by a vintage portrait. The door slid open to reveal a narrow staircase leading into a dimly lit cellar.

"Careful," Zevian murmured, offering his hand to Evelyn as they descended. She smiled gratefully and took it. Avery and Damien followed close behind.

Once inside, Zevian wasted no time and asked his friend, as they all settled in the seating area. "What’s this about?"

Damien pulled out his phone, his expression grim. "The DNA results are in."

Avery grinned in delight. "Perfect! This will prove that Sophia faked their results, poached Anna to take over-"

"She didn’t fake anything," Damien interrupted, his voice heavy with tension. He passed the phone to Zevian, who immediately scanned the results.

"What do you mean?" Evelyn asked, her stomach churning with unease as she glanced at the screen.

Damien hesitated for a moment. Sighing out loud, he faced her, "Evelyn... your DNA doesn’t match William Wright’s. You’re not his daughter."

"You are not a part of the Wright Family."