Chapter 153

"You don't deserve to know." Evelyn's voice was glacial, yet scalding tears traced down her cheeks. "Alexander Kingsley, every time I see you, it's a reminder of my own stupidity. Everything I sacrificed for you was a joke."

She turned to leave, but Alexander seized her wrist.

"Evelyn!"

She wrenched free. "Don't touch me!" Backing away, her gaze turned lethal. "If you push me again, I'll jump from here. I swear it."

Alexander froze.

He'd never seen this version of Evelyn. Those eyes that once adored him now held only arctic contempt.

"I mean it." She retreated further into the shadows. "Test me."

He didn't follow.

Rooted in place, he watched her vanish down the corridor. An invisible fist clenched around his heart, stealing his breath with its vicious grip.

Inside the elevator, Evelyn slid down the cold metal wall, knees drawn to her chest. She buried her face in her arms.

So this was the power of threatening Alexander Kingsley.

The taste of his helplessness was unexpectedly sweet.

The doors opened to Julian Ashford's shocked face. His expression darkened as he took in her swollen eyes.

"Alexander came for you again?"

She wiped her cheeks. "It's nothing, Julian."

"Nothing?" His laugh was razor-sharp. "That's what you said while covering his short position too."

Her head snapped up.

"You knew the truth yet lied to my face." Julian's voice dropped to subzero. "Am I just another person to manipulate?"

"That's not—"

"Then why?" He cut her off. "Afraid I'd leak it? Or that I'd sabotage Kingsley Group?"

Her lips parted soundlessly.

This wasn't the gentle mentor she knew. The disappointment in his eyes cut deeper than any blade.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't." He turned away. "You'll just do it again."

She caught his sleeve. "I wanted to tell you, but William was right outside. I couldn't—"

He shook her off. "Yet you warned Melissa Lee without hesitation."

"Because she—"

"Because what?" Julian spun back, gaze piercing. "Because she's gullible? Or because I'm too forgiving?"

Her hands fell limp.

So this was the agony of lost trust.

The realization struck like lightning—no love survives endless betrayal. Even the deepest bonds erode beneath relentless disappointment.

"Julian," she said quietly, "if you can't forgive me, I'll respect that."

For a long moment, he studied her. Then his hand cradled her nape as he crushed his lips to hers.