Chapter 181

"Enough!" Madeline Kingsley raised her hand abruptly, the ruby on her fingernail flashing sharply under the lights.

Evelyn Sinclair's lips parted slightly before closing again.

"Nothing satisfies you," the elder Kingsley sneered. "One might think you're carrying the Kingsley heir."

Evelyn's fingers tightened on her skirt.

"When I was pregnant with Alexander's father, I vomited bile daily," Madeline continued. "Eleanor couldn't even keep water down while carrying Alexander. She endured it."

The room echoed with the matriarch's cutting voice.

Evelyn lifted her gaze slowly. "Grandmother, I won't attend tonight's banquet."

Her tone was eerily calm.

Madeline suddenly faltered. "Evelyn, this old woman misspoke..." She grasped Evelyn's hand urgently. "I've prepared a surprise for you. Humor an old woman?"

"What surprise?" Evelyn met the elder's evasive eyes.

"A brilliant young man." Madeline forced a smile. "Far superior to Alexander..."

Evelyn withdrew her hand gently. "We're already married."

Madeline's face drained of color.

"Evelyn Sinclair!" She shot to her feet. "After all the Kingsleys have done for you, you'd ruin Alexander like this?"

"Ruin him?" A humorless laugh escaped Evelyn.

How ironic fate could be.

Once, the entire Kingsley household adored her—except Alexander. Now that he'd changed, his grandmother became the obstacle.

"Alexander refuses to let go." Evelyn stood. "Ask him why."

She turned to leave but found her path blocked by security.

"Miss Sinclair." A black-suited guard barred the exit.

Madeline regained composure. "You'll stay until the banquet concludes."

Confined to the suite, Evelyn texted Alexander: [Your grandmother locked me in the hotel.]

His reply came instantly: [Location.]

She sent the room number.

If he insisted on this marriage, let him handle the fallout.

But after that message, silence.

Three hours later, the door opened abruptly. "You may leave, Miss Sinclair."

Evelyn frowned.

The hallway stood empty—no sign of Alexander.

Passing the banquet hall, the emcee's booming voice carried: "Now presenting the bride-to-be!"

Evelyn froze.

Through the open doors, she saw Alexander in black formalwear on the dais.

A veiled woman in white approached him.

Even obscured, Evelyn recognized Isabella Winslow.

Alexander extended his hand.

A needle of pain pierced Evelyn's heart.

So this was Madeline's "surprise."

The Kingsleys filled the seats—Patriarch Kingsley, Madeline, Eleanor...

The family she'd lived with for over a decade now witnessed another woman's triumph.

Evelyn turned away.

The moment her back disappeared, Alexander suddenly looked toward the entrance.

"Mr. Kingsley?" The emcee prompted softly.

All eyes followed his gaze.

Alexander turned back to the veiled woman and demanded sharply, "Who are you?"

The hall fell silent.

The woman in white stepped back nervously.

Alexander yanked off her veil—

Revealing a stranger.