Chapter 13

Alexander Kingsley's pupils constricted sharply.

He had never seen Evelyn Sinclair like this before.

Her usually calm eyes now shimmered with unshed tears. The droplets trembled at her lash line, stubbornly refusing to fall—their precarious balance more heartbreaking than any loud sob.

"You..."

Before he could speak, a figure stepped between them.

"Alexander Kingsley," Julian Ashford's voice was glacial, "since when did you stoop to bullying women?"

He shielded Evelyn, his heart wrenching when he saw that single tear clinging to her lashes.

The girl who had once endured snowstorms with gritted teeth was now crying before him.

That tear shattered Julian's restraint.

He bent to retrieve Evelyn's dropped phone, but instead of returning it, he seized her wrist.

"Come with me."

A dangerous glint flashed in Alexander's eyes.

He grabbed Julian's collar, his fist cutting through the air—

"Stop!" Evelyn's cry froze Alexander's punch mid-swing.

He sneered. "Does it hurt you to see this?"

Evelyn took a steadying breath, her gaze clearing.

"Yes," she met Alexander's eyes squarely, "I care about Julian because he cares about me."

Her words were a spark igniting gasoline. Rage blazed in Alexander's stare.

Julian's fist struck like lightning.

Alexander dodged, but the blow still grazed his cheekbone, drawing blood. The minor injury detonated his fury.

He yanked Julian closer and delivered a brutal punch.

Julian staggered back, colliding with Isabella Winslow.

"Mr. Ashford, please!" Isabella clung to Julian from behind, pretending to mediate while immobilizing him.

Alexander's second punch whistled toward its target.

"Alexander!" Evelyn lunged, wrapping her arms around his waist. "How dare you hit him!"

Julian broke free and retaliated with a strike that sent Alexander reeling.

"Evelyn!" Isabella shrieked. "You're helping an outsider attack Alexander!"

The men clashed again in a vicious brawl.

When Isabella tried to interfere once more, Evelyn seized her hair and yanked her away.

"Where's my butterfly brooch?" Evelyn demanded coldly. "I warned you last time—I'd hit you every time we meet."

Isabella flailed wildly. Evelyn's palm cracked across her cheek.

"Alexander! Help!" Isabella wailed.

Distracted, Alexander was tackled to the floor. Julian pinned him down, knee pressing against his throat, eyes blazing.

"Did you think I'd still be the pushover from seven years ago?"

They rolled across the tiles in a violent struggle.

Meanwhile, another sharp slap echoed through the room.

Isabella howled like a slaughtered pig.

"Evelyn! Enough!" Alexander roared.

"Alexander!" Julian snarled back, "You dare defend Isabella in front of Evelyn, yet accuse me of spreading rumors?"

"Shut up!"

As the fight escalated, a small, trembling voice came from the doorway.

"Big sister... Alexander..."

Silence fell instantly.

Sophie sat in her wheelchair, pale-faced, eyes wide with terror.

"Sophie..." Evelyn immediately released Isabella and rushed to embrace her sister. "I'm so sorry we frightened you."

"Does your neck still hurt?" Sophie touched Evelyn's throat, tears welling up.

Outside, bodyguards dispersed the gathering crowd. Medical staff entered to assess the damage.

Isabella's face was swollen beyond recognition. Though bruised, Alexander and Julian each retained their signature demeanor—one icy, the other composed.

Only Evelyn's torn blouse revealed a glimpse of porcelain skin—and the lurid bruises marring her collarbone.

Alexander's expression darkened. He shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"Put this on," he ordered gruffly.