Chapter 182: Trapped On the Red Carpet (1)

As the car sped toward the charity dinner location, Evelyn felt her chest tighten even more.

Her hands rested on her lap, fingers fidgeting with the small clasp of her clutch bag.

She had survived business negotiations, court hearings, and even awkward meetings with Axel’s grandparents…

But this?

This felt even worse.

Evelyn tried to distract herself by playing Minesweeper on her phone, the same game she usually played with Oliver.

But today, even the soothing click of opening tiles couldn’t calm her nerves.

Every little “boom” from accidentally tapping a mine only made her heart jump harder.

Ryan, Axel’s driver, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Ma’am, would you like me to accompany you inside?” he asked carefully, noticing her tense expression.

Evelyn looked up from her phone and forced a smile.

“It’s fine, Ryan. My friend is already waiting for me there. I’ll text you when the event is over.”

Ryan nodded and refocused on the road, but his expression showed lingering concern.

The city lights sparkled outside the tinted windows, and the evening traffic moved like a slow, glittering river.

When the car finally pulled up to the World Trade Center, Evelyn straightened her gown and took a deep breath.

But then she realized something was off.

“Ryan,” she said slowly, glancing out the window. “Why are we heading toward the red carpet entrance?”

Before he could answer, one of the event staff approached, gesturing for them to move forward toward the red carpet drop-off.

The line of cars behind them made reversing impossible.

Evelyn blinked.

“Wait, no, no…”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Ryan said, his voice tight. “They’re directing everyone this way. And, uh, it looks like there are a lot of reporters waiting on the red carpet…”

Ryan then turned slightly, nervous.

“Are you sure you can walk alone on the red carpet?”

Evelyn’s phone buzzed before she could answer.

It was a message from Joseph.

“Eve, I’m sorry, I’m late. There was an accident ahead. Looks like you’ll arrive before me. Oh, and I forgot to mention… there’s a red carpet. If you’re not comfortable walking through it, just wait for me. We can walk together later.”

Her jaw dropped.

’Seriously, Jo? Why are you telling me this now?’

If she had known earlier, she would have delayed her arrival until right before dinner, not early enough to be ambushed by so many reporters.

She sighed deeply, watching the chaos outside.

Dozens of reporters lined both sides of the carpet, cameras flashing like fireworks.

“Ma’am, if you’re nervous, we can just circle around—”

Evelyn interrupted him, “It’s fine, Ryan. Just follow the flow. I can handle it.”

Her tone was calm, but her pulse wasn’t. She could practically hear her heart thudding.

’You used to do this all the time, Eve,’ she reminded herself. ’Just walk. Smile. Easy!’

The car in front of them moved.

Then it was their turn.

The staff member at the door opened it with a courteous smile. “Welcome, Ms. Walters…”

Her heart jumped again.

She wasn’t used to hearing someone address her like that again. But, she can’t do anything now because her status as Axel’s wife is still a secret.

“Good luck, ma’am,” Ryan whispered from the front seat. “I’ll park and wait nearby.”

She didn’t get the chance to respond before the staffer closed the door, sealing her fate.

The moment she stepped out, the world exploded in flashes.

Bright, blinding lights.

Rapid shouts.

Cameras clicking like machine guns.

For half a second, Evelyn froze.

Then she saw Irina—the famous actress—posing elegantly a few meters ahead, answering questions.

The reporters were swarming in front of her.

But when one of them spotted Evelyn stepping out of the car, the entire crowd shifted as if pulled by gravity.

“Miss Walters, please wait one moment,” a staff member murmured, trying to manage the chaos.

Evelyn nodded politely. But it was already too late.

“Oh my God… It’s Evelyn Walters!” someone shouted.

Instantly, the crowd erupted.

“Take her photo! Quick!”

“Evelyn Walters… she’s really here!”

“Wow, she looks stunning!”

“Did she come alone?”

The reporters abandoned Irina mid-interview, leaving the actress blinking in disbelief as every camera turned toward Evelyn.

The flashes became relentless, the noise overwhelming.

Still, Evelyn lifted her chin and gave her best composed smile.

Her red gown shimmered under the lights, elegant yet commanding.

“You can continue to walk now…” The staff instructs.

She took her first step onto the carpet.

The sound of camera shutters intensified, and she could hear her own name echoing from every direction.

It felt surreal.

Once, she had been the woman hiding at the far end of the country, Willocrest, to avoid media chaos.

Now, she was standing in the center of media chaos and would soon become headline news again.

“Miss Walters, over here!”

“Please look to the left!”

She turned gracefully, posing for a few quick photos.

Her movements were fluid, practiced, though every muscle in her body screamed for her to bolt. And her mind, pray this will end soon.

Then the questions began.

“Miss Walters, would you please comment on the case involving your father, William Walters?”

“Is it true you’ve returned to the Walters Group’s board of directors?”

“This is your Revenge on William Walters after what he did to you in the past?”

“Miss Walters, are you married?”

“What? Married? How?” Another shouted.

Evelyn was utterly shocked, realizing she had forgotten to take off her wedding ring.

Now, it was too late. She cannot remove it.

She tried harder to appear calm, flashing a polite smile as if their questions were just passing through her ears.

But these reporters kept firing questions faster than she could breathe.

“Miss Walters! Miss Walters! Who designed your dress?”

“Miss Walters! Is it true that Walters Group’s new investor is Apex Holding?”

That one question nearly caught her unguarded and almost made her lose her composure. She could feel heat rising from her chest to her neck, but she refused to show it.

“Gentlemen, please do not do Q&A here…” Finally, a ground staff member came to stop the reporter.

Evelyn felt relieved.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep