Chapter 5 Evan Knight

Rhett personally accompanied Kathryn back to her assigned room.

The space was neither lavish nor cramped-just big enough to be polite, but it was clear the bare minimum had been done to make it feel welcoming.

Her thoughts drifted to those pictures Anna had once flaunted online, every shot dripping with luxury-designer everything, opulence in every corner.

What a joke, Kathryn thought, as she glanced around at the plain furnishings in front of her.

She poured herself a generous glass of red wine, stepped onto the balcony, and stared out at the city as twilight crept across the sky.

"Mom, I hope you're watching. All of this is for you," she murmured quietly.

Then, the faint sound of gossip caught her attention-two women below, their voices drifting upward.

"Can you believe what she did? She insisted on a banquet, and not a soul attends. Talk about humiliating herself."

"Please, what do you expect? She grew up without a mother to teach her things. In high society, being an illegitimate child is a stain. Even if those rich people wanted to show the Palmers respect, they wouldn't risk their reputations by backing an illegitimate child."

Kathryn's expression didn't flicker. She strolled to the edge of the balcony, tipped her glass, and let the wine rain down over the two women's perfect hair.

A chorus of shrieks erupted as the women scrambled, staring upward in disbelief.

They met a gaze that radiated cold composure and the kind of warning that made their skin crawl.

Kathryn's tone was low and deadly. "Let me hear anything like that again, and you won't live to regret it."

The women dropped their heads, bowing in apology without hesitation.

Whatever resentment they might nurse in private, neither dared to defy her now-not when she wore the Palmer name. It was one thing to gossip in secret, but crossing her openly was another matter entirely.

With that, the episode faded into the background.

Meanwhile, the garden sparkled with lights and elegant decorations, every detail set for the so-called grand banquet. But, as expected, the place was almost empty.

Just twenty minutes before the event's official start, a handful of guests finally wandered in, drawn more by whispers of a big shot's possible attendance than any real allegiance to the Palmers.

Small groups huddled across the lawn, glasses in hand, conversations light and shallow.

A sleek black Bentley glided up to the gates, the crowd's idle chatter fading at the sight.

The door swung open, and a tall figure emerged-every inch of him commanding attention, authority in every stride.

A hush swept the gathering as someone said, "That's Evan Knight."

Every head turned as one, and an electric energy swept through the crowd.

Rhett rushed forward, his posture rigid with apprehension.

"Mr. Knight, welcome. It's an honor to have you here," he said, his tone betraying his nerves. He could hardly believe Evan had actually shown up.

After all, Evan's appearances at social gatherings were so rare they bordered on myth in Wrille.

Yet here he was, standing at the Palmer family's estate for an event meant for an illegitimate daughter.

Right then, Kathryn emerged.

She moved across the lawn, her gown gleaming with black crystals that caught and scattered the garden lights, drawing every eye in the place.

It was as if she walked beneath her own private spotlight.

The crowd fell silent, attention snapping toward her. Even the most jaded onlookers, those who'd come just to gawk at a scandal, found themselves unexpectedly awed.

Whispers that she was plain, rural, and crude had clearly been lies-because the woman before them radiated beauty and quiet self-assurance.

She was the very opposite of what gossip had painted her to be.

As Kathryn let her eyes wander across the gathering, they came to rest on Evan.

He stood just a short distance away, close enough for her to take in every detail.

It was a striking face. Sharp features, calm eyes... and something about them felt oddly familiar.

She racked her brain, trying to recall where that face had appeared before.

Suddenly, it clicked-the intel brief she'd glanced at just minutes earlier.

It had included a photograph. The man in the image was Evan Knight.

He was the city's most coveted bachelor, heir to the vast Knight fortune, the youngest CEO to ever take the reins of Knight Group.

Lately, it was rumored he'd been mobilizing all his resources, scouring Wrille for a mysterious person-someone with a black crescent-shaped tattoo on collarbone.

Was it possible she was the person he'd been searching for?

But for what reason? She had only just set foot in Wrille. When would she have crossed his path?

Rumor had it that Evan projected the image of an untouchable, polished businessman.

Yet everyone in the know whispered that his reach went far deeper. A single command from him could mobilize an army.

So what did a man like that want with her?