Chapter 182

Alexander Kingsley tore off the bridal veil.

The entire venue fell silent.

Isabella Winslow's meticulously made-up face was exposed under the spotlight.

His pupils constricted violently as he whipped his head toward the Kingsley family seats.

Madeline Kingsley's expression flickered with unease.

"Brilliant," Alexander sneered, dragging Isabella off the stage.

"Alexander!" Madeline slammed her palm on the table. "Isabella is carrying your child!"

Gasps erupted through the crowd.

Alexander froze mid-step, his eyes glinting with icy fury. "Grandmother, must you go this far?"

"You left me no choice!" Madeline's voice trembled.

Isabella stumbled as he yanked her along, losing a high heel in the process.

The Winslow family tried to intervene but found themselves surrounded by Kingsley security.

"Do you know where Evelyn is?" Madeline suddenly asked.

Alexander went rigid.

The text message flashed through his mind.

He shoved Isabella aside and sprinted toward the elevators.

......

The taxi stopped outside a dilapidated apartment complex.

Evelyn Sinclair pushed open her front door to the overwhelming stench of alcohol.

Julian Ashford lay curled on the couch, lifting his head with difficulty at the sound.

"Julian?" She rushed forward.

Her fingertips brushed his scorching forehead. She inhaled sharply.

Julian suddenly seized her wrist.

"I've got nowhere else to go..." His voice was ragged. "My mother, she..."

Evelyn tried to pull away to grab her phone, but he yanked her into his arms.

"Does your offer still stand?" His feverish breath scorched her ear.

"Let's get you to a hospital first." She struggled to free herself.

Julian tightened his grip. "When I recover... you'll take me away?"

The front door exploded inward before he could finish.

Alexander stormed in like an enraged lion, wrenching Evelyn behind him.

The sickening crunch of his fist connecting with Julian's face made Evelyn wince.

"Alexander!" She lunged to stop him, only to be thrown onto the couch.

Blood trickled from Julian's split lip as he weakly shook his head at her.

"I'm calling the police!" She grabbed her phone.

Alexander ignored her, slamming Julian's head against the floor.

Evelyn bolted to the window and flung it open.

Icy wind howled through as she climbed onto the ledge.

"Hit him one more time," she whispered, the calm terrifying. "And I'll jump."

Alexander's fist hovered mid-air.

He turned to see Evelyn leaning precariously over the twenty-third-story drop.

The winter gale whipped her hair into a dark frenzy.