Chapter 110

Evelyn Sinclair lifted her gaze, studying Alexander Kingsley's sharply defined profile.

She waited for him to continue.

She truly couldn't recall which incident he referred to.

Alexander didn't keep her waiting.

"On the eleventh last month," his voice was low, "I learned what the housekeeper and staff said to you. I was wrong to blame you without verifying the facts."

The eleventh last month?

Evelyn frowned slightly, searching her memory before it came back to her.

A distant look crossed her eyes.

Nearly two months had passed since their breakup.

Every moment at Royal Gardens used to feel agonizingly slow.

Yet time flew after leaving Alexander.

How ironic that idleness made time crawl.

A faint smile touched her lips. "It's in the past. I've moved on."

Those words had stung before the breakup.

Now they were just wisps of smoke.

"You're right," Alexander said solemnly. "I always blamed you first. I apologize."

An uneasy flutter rose in his chest.

She genuinely didn't care anymore.

The pale, devastated woman from that day now dismissed it with effortless grace.

She'd... let go.

The only comfort was the clear surprise in Evelyn's eyes.

"You..." Evelyn was indeed stunned. An apology from Alexander Kingsley?

"Thank you," she paused. "Though it doesn't matter now, I appreciate you saying it."

Alexander heard the unspoken rejection.

He seized her wrist abruptly. "Royal Gardens is cleared out. You can return anytime. Or name any place you'd prefer."

Evelyn withdrew her hand.

"What do you mean?"

"The breakup was just servants' gossip," Alexander's gaze burned. "I'll verify facts before judging from now on. No more wrongs."

Evelyn fell silent.

Then she laughed softly.

"Alexander, not everything is black and white."

"I know verifying facts first is prudent in business. But love isn't an investment."

Alexander tried to speak.

Evelyn continued, "I shared your bed once. Yet you trusted outsiders over me..."

"This apology only came because you uncovered the truth. What if you hadn't?"

"That hypothetical doesn't exist. I did uncover it," Alexander countered.

Evelyn smiled again.

Empty justification.

She regarded him calmly, like a passing stranger.

"Without evidence, your first instinct was my guilt. I don't know why, but 'Evelyn is guilty' is engraved in your bones."

Before he could protest, she added, "I won't accept such love or share such a bed. I can't gamble whether you'd condemn me again next time."

The rest of the ride passed in heavy silence.

Alexander didn't speak again.

His expression darkened, gaze deliberately avoiding Evelyn.

Only when she exited the car did his eyes follow her retreating figure.

Engraved belief in her guilt...

Had he really been that transparent?

......

At the candlelit restaurant, Isabella Winslow arrived in full glamour.

A dazzling diamond butterfly brooch adorned her collar.

William West traced the wings with his fingers.

He closed his eyes, memorizing each facet.

"Thank you, Isabella," he murmured, smiling. "For keeping this. It reminds me who stood by me at my lowest."

Isabella ducked her head demurely.

She'd risked stealing the brooch only upon learning of William's return.

Now it proved worthwhile.

Evelyn and Alexander had broken up.

William remained her willing pawn.

"Are you certain they split?" William asked mildly. "I saw her in his car today."

Isabella's face fell.

"Check your sources," William suggested helpfully. "I need current intel to assist you."

Isabella urgently contacted her mole in the Kingsley household.

When she hung up, her expression turned ashen.

"Disaster! Alexander purged all my people from Royal Gardens! Rumor says he'll propose to Evelyn at the Patriarch's birthday banquet!"

She trembled with rage. "They were supposed to be over!"

"How unfortunate," William remarked calmly. "The banquet is tomorrow."

"What do I do?" Isabella's eyes welled up. "William, you know I've always loved Alexander..."

"List all your Kingsley connections," William said confidently. "Don't worry. You'll get your happy ending..."

......

The grand eightieth birthday banquet for Patriarch Kingsley filled the Swan Palace with elite guests.

"Alexander," the Patriarch beckoned his grandson mid-conversation. "Where's Evelyn?"

"Sophie needed final tests. Evelyn stayed with her," Alexander explained.

"Why didn't you handle it personally?" the Patriarch chided. "You should've arranged everything and escorted them both. Your parents can manage the guests."

Alexander stayed silent.

Hosting duties were just an excuse...

Evelyn now barred him from her daily life.

Her attendance tonight was purely for the Patriarch's sake.

But after tonight, she'd return to him...

"Alexander!" Eleanor Kingsley hurried over. "Evelyn's here! Go greet her!"