Chapter 19

"Evelyn..." Julian's voice carried through the hedges, laced with unmistakable concern.

His car had been following her at a crawl.

Evelyn Sinclair drew a deep breath, forcing back her tears.

She lifted her chin, summoning a faint smile. "I'm fine."

Crossing the greenery, she opened the passenger door and slid in.

As she buckled the seatbelt, she flashed Julian a brilliant grin. "I always overestimate myself. Only after hitting rock bottom do I face reality."

"Don't say that." Julian pressed the accelerator. "You're stronger than anyone."

Evelyn fell silent, gazing at the passing city lights. Her fingers absently drifted to her abdomen...

That snowy night seven years ago.

For the secret that would change everything, she'd climbed out the window, shimmying down a frozen pipe.

The brittle pipe snapped. A jagged edge stabbed deep into her flesh.

To avoid detection—to deliver that secret—

She packed the wound with snow. Hid for two hours in the blizzard.

Until Julian found her.

Not strength. Not courage.

She'd spent a lifetime's worth in that moment...

Like loving someone with your whole heart, leaving nothing for anyone else.

"Look at this." Julian handed her a document. "The company can handle it if you'd rather not get involved."

Alexander Kingsley was determined to sue her.

Horizon Media had wisely forwarded the legal notice to Julian this time.

Evelyn skimmed the signature. "I'll deal with it myself."

She had nothing left to fear.

After years with Alexander, she knew his methods. Warnings came from Kingsley Group's legal team.

This bore his personal lawyers' seal.

Her grateful eyes met Julian's. "I can't always hide behind you."

She didn't need him to say it—he planned to claim authorship of the "Duan Sheli" pseudonym.

Alexander didn't know who really wrote those articles.

Otherwise tonight's argument wouldn't have centered on a maid.

His lawsuit fixation suggested he believed Julian was behind the exposé.

"I'll find more evidence." Evelyn set the letter between them, resolve hardening. "No one can break me again."

No one...

Would make her flee through subzero snow with an untreated wound.

"Full company support," Julian said, glancing at her profile. "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not." Evelyn relaxed into the seat.

Only matters of the heart could frighten her now.

...

Royal Gardens staff spent all night packing Evelyn's belongings.

The delivery didn't reach Madam Kingsley's tea garden until noon.

The flower-obsessed matriarch ran an exclusive tea house for select guests.

Golden sunlight drenched the courtyard.

Madam Kingsley sipped tea, eyes closed beneath blooming branches.

"Madam, Miss Sinclair's items have arrived. Where shall we put them?" Ethan Miller supervised every detail, not daring to cut corners.

He stole a glance at Alexander standing in the doorway's shadow, barely breathing.

Madam Kingsley opened a crate. Pristine fabrics spilled out.

"What's discarded was never treasured." She sighed. "Store it. If she ever changes her mind, I'll return everything. Unless—"

She broke off, looking up.

"To what do I owe this honor?" The legendary beauty's smile still dazzled. "Too much free time? Must you micromanage such trifles?"

Her gaze shifted to Ethan. "How incompetent are you that Lord Alex needs to oversee a simple delivery?"

Ethan kept his head down.

She'd noticed her son immediately. The delayed greeting was pure spite.

"Well? Don't just stand there." She beckoned. "I need to speak with you."

Alexander finally approached.

Overnight, his bruises had faded. Dark circles now underscored his eyes, though his expression remained icy.

The Kingsley matriarch ruled through beauty and terror. Even her son knew better than to cross her when displeased.

Upstairs, Alexander spoke first. "Mother, you're enabling her. She's grown reckless from your indulgence."

"Oh?" Her laugh was sharp. "What's done is done. Need I remind you who saved your life?"

Her face darkened. "I only regret Evelyn lacked ambition. Any other girl I spoiled would've become royalty. She settled for being a bedwarmer!"

"Mother!" Alexander's expression turned murderous. "Who told you that?"

"What?" Her smile widened. "Your sieve of a mansion can't keep secrets, yet expects me to hear nothing?"

Alexander's jaw clenched.

He rarely interfered with Royal Gardens' staff—many were his mother's appointments.

Besides, hadn't Evelyn lived there too?

The man handled external affairs; household matters were the woman's domain. If servants gossiped, wasn't that her failure?

"Why so tense?" Madam Kingsley nudged her son.

Her carefree nature had somehow produced this ice sculpture of a man.

She teased, "You've never cared about servant chatter before. Their words don't reach your exalted ears, do they?"

"Did Evelyn tell you this?" Alexander could think of no other source.

"Please. If Evelyn had half their sharp tongues, she wouldn't have—"

"Mother." His voice could freeze hell.

He humored her whims, but even mothers had limits.

"Fine." She changed subjects smoothly. "Look what I found..."

She produced a booklet.

Alexander reached for it—

Ethan burst in, panic-stricken. "Lord Alex! Emergency! Evelyn—"