Chapter 169

"Say that again." Alexander Kingsley lunged forward, yanking Isabella Winslow back from the rooftop's edge.

A blade flashed, severing the ropes binding her legs.

Isabella barely hit the ground before searing pain tore through her scalp.

Alexander fisted her long hair, dragging her like a sack before tossing her to his security detail.

"Take her to the hospital."

His voice dripped with ice.

Isabella instantly understood his intent.

"Alex!" She shrieked, scrambling toward him. "This is your child! How can you be so cruel?"

She'd hoped the pregnancy would buy mercy.

Instead, it hastened her doom.

Alexander kicked her away, gripping her chin to force eye contact.

"Who gave you permission to touch me? Who dared you carry this bastard?"

The murderous glint in his eyes made her tremble.

This man wanted both her and the baby dead.

In the hospital's midnight halls, muffled screams echoed as Isabella was hauled into surgery.

Alexander reclined in his car, eyes closed.

Her suffering meant nothing—only eliminating this problem mattered.

That night's truth remained elusive.

Now, he'd get answers.

If Isabella claimed this was his child, the aborted fetus would provide DNA proof.

He was 90% certain it wasn't his.

One test would let him tell Evelyn Sinclair with absolute certainty—

Nothing had ever happened between him and Isabella.

"My lord." A bodyguard rushed over. "Complications."

Alexander frowned. "Explain."

"Madeline Kingsley is here."

Chaos erupted outside the operating room.

The matriarch shielded Isabella like a lioness defending her cub.

"Touch her, and you declare war on the Kingsleys!"

Isabella sobbed into the elder's embrace. "Grandmother, save me... This is Alex's baby..."

Madeline patted her back before glaring at the guards.

Then footsteps approached.

The crowd parted as Alexander strode forward.

"Monster!" Madeline jabbed a finger at him. "Destroy yourself if you must, but not our bloodline!"

Alexander remained impassive. "Step aside."

"Never!" Madeline's voice rose sharply. "Must I expose your filth? I nearly died birthing your father! Is this your gratitude?"

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Who alerted you?"

He'd confiscated all of Isabella's devices.

"Divine intervention!" Madeline beat her chest. "Harm her today, and I'll take my own life!"

Alexander gestured. Guards moved to intervene.

Amid the chaos, Madeline suddenly looked past him. "Evelyn! Control him!"

Alexander whirled around.

Evelyn stood yards away—with Julian Ashford beside her.

His blood turned to cement.

Of all places to cross paths—Sophie was still hospitalized here.

A miscalculation.

"Evelyn," Madeline wept, "he'll end the Kingsley line..."

Alexander advanced. "Evelyn, I can prove—"

"If it's not yours," Evelyn cut in coldly, "why not let it live? Your cruelty toward women remains unmatched."

A chilling thought struck her—

Had she not left, would she be the one on that operating table?

"Evelyn!" Isabella suddenly lunged at her. "Please save my baby..."

Evelyn looked down with detached indifference.

"Why should I care?"

She took Julian's hand. "Let's go, Julian."

"Evelyn!" Alexander seized her wrist. "Once I prove it's not mine—"

Julian shoved him back. "Alexander! Keep your mess away from Evelyn!"