Chapter 186
Martha Nash stumbled out of the elevator.
Ding—
The doors slid open on the ground floor.
She wandered out in a daze, nearly colliding with a tall figure.
The man steadied her swaying shoulders with quick reflexes.
"Watch your step, Martha."
She nodded mechanically. "Yes, Crown Prince."
Wait—
Crown Prince?
By the time she snapped back to reality, the elevator doors had already closed.
Martha froze, watching the floor numbers climb until they stopped at Evelyn Sinclair's level.
She covered her mouth, eyes reddening.
Would knowing too many secrets get her silenced...?
Evelyn blocked the doorway, facing off against Alexander Kingsley.
"Move. You're not coming in."
Alexander stood firm.
"Evelyn, I've returned everything to the Kingsleys. If you turn me away, I'll have nowhere to go."
She scoffed. "Who are you trying to fool?"
"Where's your mansion?"
"Sold."
"Royal Gardens?"
"Always belonged to the Kingsleys. Deed's returned."
"The floor below—"
"On the market. The agent showed it today."
"So you're just a nouveau riche now? Step aside, Property Tycoon. I can't possibly reach your level."
"Every penny goes back to the Kingsleys! Severing ties means settling every cent they ever spent on me."
Evelyn arched a brow. "Not my problem. Move—"
Alexander remained immovable. "If you don't let me in, I'll sleep right here tonight. Evelyn, we're still married. You wouldn't abandon me like this."
She'd never seen Alexander so shameless.
Crossing her arms, she said, "Ever heard 'when poverty comes in the door, love flies out the window'? I do pity you... so let's divorce."
Alexander: "?"
Evelyn: "You're penniless now. Sold your homes, still maintaining luxury cars. I can barely afford Sophie's medical bills—certainly not a grown man who won't pull his weight. We're better off apart."
Alexander: "?!"
As he opened his mouth to retort, a soft chuckle came from the elevator lobby.
Under Alexander's darkening glare, Julian Ashford stepped out calmly.
He nodded at Evelyn before swiping into his own apartment.
His parting words—"Pathetic clinginess"—drifted clearly to their ears.
Alexander's temper ignited.
Him? Clingy?
He was Evelyn's lawful husband!
What was Julian?
Not even qualified to be the other man!
Evelyn seized the chance to slip inside.
Alexander could've stopped her.
But fearing she might fall, he hesitated for one fatal second.
The door slammed shut.
Storm clouds gathered over his face as he descended.
Nathan Carter and Ethan Miller shuddered in unison at his expression.
"Lord Alex—"
Alexander bit out, "What worthless guides did you find?"
Those so-called dating manuals were utterly useless!
Nathan tremblingly produced another book. "Maybe... try this one?"
Alexander: "And if it fails?"
Nathan looked ready to cry. "Then Ethan and I stay single forever?"
Ethan blinked. Why was he dragged into this?
Late at night, Evelyn peeked through the peephole.
The hallway stood empty.
She exhaled in relief—only to worry about avoiding Julian tomorrow.
Yet when she opened her door next morning, she nearly tripped over the man sprawled across her threshold.
"Sleep well, Evelyn?" Alexander sat up from his makeshift bed.
Evelyn gaped. "Have you lost your mind?!"
He'd actually slept outside her door all night?
"Naturally." Alexander stood, wheeling his suitcase inside with brazen confidence.
Evelyn bristled. "What are you doing?"
"Moving in with my wife." He pulled out toiletries and headed straight for the bathroom.
"Get out!" she snapped.
After rinsing, Alexander planted a kiss on her cheek. "What was that?"
Evelyn trembled with rage.
Alexander would always be her nightmare!
Worse, before she could react, he'd already dragged his bedding inside, arranging it on the sofa.
"Your hallway's too hard. Much comfier here." He stretched out contentedly.
Evelyn eyed his legs dangling off the couch. "How can you sleep like that?"
"True." Alexander suddenly rose, gathering his blankets. He stole another kiss. "My wife cares after all. I'll take the bedroom then."
Evelyn: "?"
She stood stunned.
What had gotten into Alexander?
Since when did he have this level of audacity?
"Not going to work?" Seeing her frozen by the door, Alexander propped himself up. "Can't bear to leave me alone? Worried I'll spiral unemployed?"
Evelyn: "In your dreams!"
She stormed out.
Fine. She'd sleep on the sofa from now on!
Horizon Media's entertainment department buzzed unusually today.
Rumors spread like wildfire—Isabella Winslow was pregnant before marriage.
Accompanying them were leaked photos from her supposed engagement to Alexander.
"God! No wonder Evelyn won the lawsuit! Alexander and Isabella were really involved—they even have a child!"
"Is Isabella marrying into the Kingsley family?"
"Nothing's certain without a marriage certificate."
"Would the Winslows allow their daughter to have a child out of wedlock?"
Ordinary families might, but the Winslows were old money!
Editors flocked to Martha.
"Martha, are we covering this?"
"Orange Media's already moving..."
"They leaked this. If we don't act—"
Martha slammed her desk. "Since when does Horizon follow Orange's lead?"
"But—"
"No buts! Isabella's tight with Orange. This could be fake news. Do we want another cease-and-desist from Alexander's lawyers? Horizon doesn't have another Evelyn!"
Her tone brooked no argument. "Back to work! Whether Isabella's carrying a puppy or a kitten, we're staying out of Kingsley drama!"
Once alone, Martha clutched her head.
Knowing earth-shattering secrets but being unable to share was torture!
Isabella's pregnancy? Engagement? All lies!
Only their ship was real!
Alexander himself admitted Evelyn carried his child!
Alexander and the Crown Prince fighting over Evelyn's doorstep!
And she had to keep it all bottled up!
This bittersweet agony—who could understand?