Chapter 16: Chapter 16
365 words<html><head></head><body><p>Evelyn Roland stood at the corner of the staircase, her nails digging deep into her palms.</p> <p>Sebastian Valdemar's icy gaze swept across the room, never once lingering on her. It seemed he truly didn't recognize her as the woman from last night.</p> <p>"Mom, do we really have to marry Evelyn off to that devil?" Sophia Roland's voice trembled with tears.</p> <p>Edward Roland rubbed his temples. "We're in the wrong here. The Valdemars aren't to be trifled with."</p> <p>"Isabella, remember this lesson." Edward turned to his younger daughter, his tone stern. "Sebastian Valdemar is not someone you provoke."</p> <p>Isabella Langley bit her lip and nodded, tears welling in her eyes.</p> <p>Back in her room, Evelyn collapsed onto the bed. Sebastian's frosty expression flashed repeatedly in her mind.</p> <p>Marrying a man like that would be pure torture.</p> <p>Inside the black Maybach, Sebastian immediately noticed his assistant's unease.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_2 --> <p>"Mr. Valdemar..." The assistant's hands shook on the steering wheel.</p> <p>"Speak." Sebastian's voice was like ice.</p> <p>"Miss Olivia was in a car accident! She's at the hospital now!"</p> <p>The car door slammed shut with such force the entire vehicle shuddered.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_1 --> <p>"When did this happen?" Sebastian's voice sharpened.</p> <p>"Half an hour ago! Miss Olivia forbade us from telling you—"</p> <p>The car shot forward like an arrow. Sebastian's clenched fists bulged with veins.</p> <p>At fifteen, he'd lost both parents. The shadow of that tragedy still haunted him. Olivia Valdemar was the only warmth left in his world.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_5 --> <p>In the VIP ward, Olivia sat propped against the headboard, reading a book.</p> <p>"Sis." Sebastian reached her bedside in three strides.</p> <p>"Just a minor injury." She smiled faintly. "Though it did scare the baby."</p> <p>Sebastian's eyes turned glacial. "The driver?"</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_3 --> <p>"Already dealt with." Olivia took his hand. "But we should thank the girl who saved me."</p> <p>Sebastian frowned. "Who?"</p> <p>"A young woman trained in traditional medicine. If she hadn't acted quickly, the baby might have..." Olivia's hand drifted protectively over her stomach.</p> <p>"I'll have her found." Sebastian's voice was steel. "I'll take care of Theodore these days."</p> <p>At the mention of her eldest son, Olivia's expression dimmed. The boy's autism was her eternal heartache.</p> <p>"Oh," she suddenly remembered, "I think the girl's surname was Roland..."</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_3 --> </body></html>