Chapter 185

Madam Kingsley glanced around, noticing all the assistants in the office area had pricked up their ears.

"Let's talk inside." She quickly pushed open Alexander Kingsley's office door.

"What nonsense are you pulling, old woman?" Patriarch Kingsley demanded the moment he entered. "What could Evelyn possibly have done that's unforgivable?"

Ever since discovering the engagement ceremony was the Dowager's elaborate scheme, the entire family had grown resentful toward her.

Madeline Kingsley's eyes were red and swollen as she insisted she had valid reasons.

The family had stormed into Kingsley Group first thing that morning to confront her.

If not for Alexander's work ethic, they might not have found him at all.

"Alex, is it true about Isabella's pregnancy?" Eleanor Kingsley cut straight to the point.

Rumors swirled everywhere, all pointing to one fact—Isabella Winslow was carrying Alexander's child.

"Unconfirmed." Alexander's expression remained impassive. "I wanted a paternity test. Grandmother stopped me."

Eleanor gasped.

This was an indirect admission that he'd indeed been involved with Isabella.

"How could you—"

"You disgrace!" The Patriarch roared before turning his glare on the Dowager. "Even so, rushing to marry that Winslow girl is absurd. Anyone can see she's trouble."

"Mother, you should've at least discussed something this important with us," Eleanor couldn't help chiding.

Marrying Isabella in such haste would make the Kingsleys appear desperate for heirs.

When had the Dowager ever endured such humiliation?

Even her dutiful son was looking at her with reproach.

"I had to cut off his escape routes!" The Dowager pointed at Alexander hysterically. "Why don't you ask what this unfilial wretch has done?"

Without waiting for responses, she shrieked, "When he heard Evelyn was infertile and feared we'd force a marriage, he went and got a vasectomy!"

"Now that Isabella's finally pregnant with his child, he tried to take her for an abortion! He wants to end the Kingsley bloodline!"

......

Dead silence filled the office.

Everyone was too stunned to speak.

After a long pause, Eleanor finally managed, "Medical science can reverse that procedure..."

"Then make him undo it!" The Dowager snapped. "If doctors confirm he's functional, I'll stop pressuring him to marry Isabella. Otherwise, even if you disown her, I'll accept her as my granddaughter-in-law!"

"Suit yourself." Alexander's voice was icy. "But I'll publicly declare no relation to her. Also, Evelyn and I have reconciled."

"Re...reconciled?" Eleanor didn't know whether to be relieved or worried.

The information overload was short-circuiting her brain.

The Dowager laughed bitterly. "Reconciled? How low are her standards, forgiving you after witnessing your engagement? If she's so understanding, Isabella can be the primary wife while she plays second fiddle!"

"Mother!"

"Outrageous!"

Eleanor and the Patriarch shouted simultaneously.

"I'm outrageous?" The Dowager completely lost control. "What about the obscenities he's committed?"

She whirled on Alexander. "Why glare at me? Planning to strike your elder? For that woman, you'd abandon your family? Have the guts to renounce the Kingsley name then! Surrender everything you possess!"

"Mother, please..." Eleanor begged.

"Silence!" The Dowager shoved her away. "This is your fault! Brainwashing him about only marrying Evelyn, and now he's sterilized himself—are you satisfied? Did you put him up to this?"

"Mother, Eleanor would never—" The usually quiet Mr. Kingsley finally spoke up.

"Shut up!" The Dowager spiraled into madness. "You're all traitors to the Kingsley legacy!"

Alexander walked to his desk.

"Where are you going? You can't hide forever! Isabella will become my granddaughter-in-law whether you like it or not!"

Alexander ignored her.

He retrieved an envelope from the drawer and placed it on the coffee table before the Dowager.

"What's this?" She blinked.

"Everything returnable to the Kingsleys is here." Alexander's tone was calm. "Except my life, I relinquish all inheritance rights, shares, and family assets."

"As for my current lifestyle, most was earned through my own efforts. If Kingsley Group wishes to retain me, follow standard procedures. If not, I'll resign immediately."

The Dowager nearly fainted from rage.

"Preposterous!" The Patriarch snatched up the envelope and threw it back. "You'd sever ties over your grandmother's scolding?"

Mr. Kingsley also exploded. "Who cares about shares or assets? You're what matters! Just endure her lecturing—must you take it literally?"

Eleanor kept her head down silently.

Secretly, she was delighted.

Keep berating him—let's see what happens when you drive him away completely.

She knew her son too well. That envelope was clearly prepared long ago. He meant every word.

"This isn't impulsive." Alexander said coolly. "Grandmother schemed against Evelyn and me for Isabella's unborn child. In that case, bypass me and give everything directly to them. Since I can't continue the bloodline, this worthless heir may as well disappear."

"Don't...don't push me!" The Dowager screamed.

Alexander bowed deeply. "I believe you're capable of it."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Stop! You ungrateful wretch!" The Dowager howled hysterically.

Mr. Kingsley panicked. "Alex, come back! Don't expect me to keep covering your workload..."

Just when he'd hoped his son's reconciliation with Evelyn would bring him back to handle business, this happened.

"I'll hire a new CEO immediately! Don't regret this!" He threatened.

"Let him go!" The Dowager yanked her son's sleeve. "If he wants that woman so badly, let him surrender everything..."

......

At day's end, Evelyn deliberately left work with Martha Nash.

She wanted to avoid walking with Julian Ashford and fueling more gossip.

"I truly didn't marry Julian," she explained. Workplace rumors had spiraled into absurdity.

"Then who's your husband? Is the pregnancy real?" Martha's reporter instincts kicked in.

Evelyn hesitated. "Well..."

"Is it the Crown Prince's baby?"

"No." This answer came firmly.

"What?" Martha gaped. "Then you and the Crown Prince..."

"We're really not like that." Evelyn smiled wryly. "Others can speculate, but you're my friend. I don't want misunderstandings between us."

"Alright, I believe you." Martha nodded. "So who's the father?"

Evelyn: "......"

Martha raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we friends? No lies or omissions, right?"

"Well...no lies, but privacy..." Evelyn forced a laugh. "Oh look, my stop! Thanks Martha—"

"Darling wife, done with work?" Alexander's voice suddenly cut in.

Evelyn froze.

Speak of the devil!

Alexander straightened from leaning against the wall, pulling her into an embrace. Before Martha's astonished eyes, he kissed Evelyn's forehead.

"Was work exhausting, love? Has our little one been bothering you?"

He sighed dramatically. "Dearest wife, I've resigned from Kingsley Group. Now I'm unemployed—you'll support me, won't you? My darling, promise you'll take care of me?"

Evelyn: ...Get lost!