Chapter 101

The air froze the moment Alexander Kingsley released Evelyn Sinclair.

Nathan Carter stood at the doorway, instantly sensing the tension.

"Lord Alex," he ventured cautiously, "the hotel's surveillance logs have been restored."

Alexander turned, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Speak."

Nathan delivered his report swiftly. "After you left last night, only one person accessed the security system."

"Who?"

"A maintenance technician." Nathan hesitated. "He's currently missing. We're tracking—"

Iris Cooper suddenly raised her hand.

"I know where he is." She glanced at Evelyn. "He's in the next room."

The technician was being held next door, trembling when Alexander entered.

"Isabella Winslow's assistant paid me!" he blurted. "She gave me money!"

Nathan suppressed a sigh.

Clearly, the payoff hadn't been enough.

Alexander sat, fingers tapping the armrest.

"Details."

The technician spilled everything.

Isabella's assistant had ordered him to alter the footage and take a copy.

"Then why hide here?" Nathan pressed.

The man pointed at Charlie Young in the corner.

"He tricked me..."

Charlie had frightened him with real-life cases—claiming witnesses who knew too much ended up silenced.

Nathan checked the technician's phone.

"Lord Alex, he kept backups."

After reviewing the footage, Alexander studied Charlie.

"Why intervene?"

Charlie stood straighter. "To protect the witness. And Editor Sinclair."

Alexander's brow furrowed.

"Isabella could've framed Evelyn for tampering with evidence," Charlie met his gaze. "I couldn't let that happen."

A cold draft brushed Alexander's forehead.

It struck him then—Evelyn had earned her own loyal team.

A memory surfaced from his youth.

"Father, why outsource investigations to Autumn Detail?"

Mr. Kingsley had smiled. "Professionals handle professional matters."

Young Alexander hadn't understood why Autumn Detail warranted such trust.

Until he met Evelyn's parents.

That couple possessed a rare magnetism that inspired absolute loyalty.

Autumn Detail charged triple the market rate yet never lacked clients.

Because they never failed.

That conviction...

Ultimately killed them.

Alexander paused outside Evelyn's door.

Iris silently offered the keycard.

The door opened.

Nathan and Iris stayed behind, exchanging a look.

"His private affairs," Nathan murmured. "Don't pry."

Iris's eyes widened with realization.

Pride swelled in her for Evelyn.

That composed woman didn't just match Alexander Kingsley.

She held the power to choose him—or walk away.

Inside, Evelyn was organizing documents.

"Iris, some water please."

A masculine hand offered a glass.

Evelyn looked up into Alexander's dark eyes.

"Here to accuse me again, Mr. Kingsley?"

His throat moved.

"The technician confessed," he said quietly. "Why didn't you tell me the truth?"