Chapter 10

The ringing phone shattered the morning silence.

Alexander Kingsley groped across the nightstand, his fingers meeting only cold wood. "Evelyn..." he murmured instinctively.

The name barely left his lips when he jolted awake.

His bleary eyes cleared instantly, replaced by icy sharpness. He stared at the empty nightstand where a glass of warm water should have been.

For years, this had been his routine.

Waking to perfectly tempered water—sometimes infused with lemon—because his work demanded constant availability. That glass was always there.

Except today.

He remembered with crystal clarity: Evelyn Sinclair had slept on the living room sofa last night.

The phone kept ringing.

Alexander answered hoarsely, "Speak."

"Lord Alex, Horizon Media just released Miss Winslow's phone recording." Ethan Miller's voice held tension. "She admitted to the relationship with you in it."

Alexander's brow darkened.

Horizon was determined to defy him. Even after the cease and desist letter, they dared to leak more.

"Investigate Isabella," he ordered coldly.

Hanging up, Alexander moved to the window. Sunlight spilled over his face but couldn't melt the frost in his gaze.

Evelyn's words from last night surfaced. His lips curled.

Finally showing your true colors?

Good. Let the world see.

Descending the stairs, his attention snagged on a white dress displayed in the boutique window. Ethan appeared promptly, holding a bank card and jewelry box.

"Left by Miss Sinclair."

Alexander didn't glance at them. "Where is she?"

"Gone."

"Let her be." His laugh was brittle. "The same trick loses its charm the second time."

Exiting the hotel, he immediately spotted lurking paparazzi. So Evelyn hadn't given up yet.

Ethan hurried after him with a shopping bag containing the white dress.

"The Patriarch's birthday banquet..." Ethan ventured carefully. "If Miss Sinclair attends..."

Alexander gave a slight nod.

A dress was a small price to silence her.

Back in Kingsbury, Isabella Winslow awaited at the airport, tear-streaked and trembling in her floral dress like a startled butterfly.

"Alex, I was framed..." The leaked recording had plunged her into scandal.

"I said those words, but they were sarcastic..." She dabbed her eyes. "Evelyn edited them maliciously..."

Alexander's gaze sharpened. "What does she have to do with this?"

"That call was to Evelyn..." Isabella sniffled. "She accused me of stealing the brooch, stealing your affection... I lost my temper..."

She peeked up timidly. "Isn't Horizon's editor-in-chief Evelyn's senior?"

Alexander's expression turned stormy.

"My social media is locked by the company..." Her lashes fluttered. "Evelyn must despise me now..."

"You did nothing wrong." His tone softened marginally. "I'll handle it."