Chaos Girl Rewrites the Script novel Chapter 436

Charles's expression darkened. "Are you blaming me for this?"

"No," Evelyn shook her head. "I'm blaming myself for not being brave enough to burn it all down."

As she spoke, she turned her gaze back toward the Conservatory, the tears streaming down her face unstoppable.

Before Talia was born, she had been the only girl in the family. Her father had personally raised her, holding her on his lap. How could anyone say she wasn't favored?

When she reached marriageable age, her father wanted to choose a husband for her. Refusing to lose out to Talia, she deliberately chose the Arlington family, knowing they rivaled the Whitmore family.

Her father opposed the match at the time. He told her the Arlingtons were newly wealthy, eager to claw their way to the top. Marrying into a family like that meant her marriage would eventually devolve into cold calculations and compromises. It wasn't the right fit for her.

But she hadn't listened. She insisted on her choice, and her father ultimately yielded.

During her decades of marriage to Charles, she never once felt her decision was wrong. She naively believed her father had worried for nothing. They were husband and wife; the Arlington family's interests and Charles's interests were her interests. There was never any need for cold calculation.

But in this moment, she finally woke up.

The compromises she had made with Charles in the past involved things she didn't care much about, so they had felt insignificant. But the second it came down to a non-negotiable boundary, his calculated compromise left her utterly shattered.

Charles was already so accustomed to treating their lives like a business transaction that he couldn't comprehend why she was acting so irrationally now.

A child raised on unconditional love could never accept being treated as a calculated risk. Her father had understood her better than she understood herself.

"Ms. Evelyn."

Cedric approached them, holding a cup of hot tea.

Evelyn turned her head away to wipe her eyes.

Charles glanced at the Parlor before staring at the tea in Cedric's hands. "Cedric, what is this?"

"Mr. Arlington, Caspian said the night air is cold. He wanted Ms. Evelyn to drink a cup of hot tea before leaving."

Charles's expression softened. He spoke gently to Evelyn. "I'll wait for you by the car."

Evelyn didn't respond. Feeling slightly awkward, Charles exited the estate grounds.

"Ms. Evelyn." Cedric presented the teacup to her.

Outside the estate, Charles waited for a while before he saw Evelyn slowly walking out.

Her tear tracks had dried, and her expression had returned to total calmness.

The fact that Cedric personally brought her tea meant Caspian still held some affection for his daughter. Not wanting this incident to drive a wedge between him and Evelyn, Charles stepped forward and took her hand. "What did Cedric say?"

"Nothing," Evelyn shook her head.

If Cedric went out of his way to deliver tea, there was no way he said nothing. Charles paused before speaking gently. "Lara is my daughter, and I can't bear to let her go either. I was thinking... maybe there's a way to get Caspian to change his mind."

Evelyn turned to look at him.

"Didn't you say Lara and Preston were dating? Let's test the Everhart family's attitude. If both families are willing, they could get engaged first. Then the Everhart family could help plead our case, and Caspian would have a hard time refusing."

Evelyn lowered her eyes. "I made a mistake. Lara and Preston have nothing between them. Never bring this up again."

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