Chapter 212

"Besides, even if you resolve every crisis perfectly, secrets never stay buried forever. Your relationship with Winston will come to light eventually. Someone might even exploit it."

Evelyn spoke softly, "Instead of waiting for others to strike, take the initiative and end this threat permanently. This might be exactly what Winston wants."

Lance froze. After a long pause, he lowered his head, his voice barely audible. "Really? Is that what Winston thinks too?"

He fell silent again before murmuring, "Let me think about it. I'm... not ready yet."

Evelyn didn’t push further.

Lance handed her an elegant gift box. "These are skincare products specifically for pregnant women. If you like them, make Alexander buy more for you. Speaking of which, does he give you an allowance?"

Evelyn shook her head.

Lance stomped his foot in frustration. "Good heavens! What an absolute jerk! Listen to me, darling—never save men money. Take what you deserve!"

Evelyn smiled faintly. "I prefer to keep my distance from him."

She knew all too well the agony of being trapped in that kind of entanglement. The deeper the ties, the harder the escape—and the more it would shatter her.

Once was enough.

Lance stared at her, stunned. "You're far more clear-headed than I imagined."

Evelyn had just bid Lance farewell when a bodyguard blocked her path.

"Miss Sinclair, Mr. Strauss wishes to see you."

She hesitated briefly before nodding.

Winston’s suite was far from Lance’s.

When she had led Simon on their earlier detour, she’d passed this area without realizing these two seemingly unrelated men were actually lovers.

Winston stood with his back to her by the floor-to-ceiling window. His voice carried clearly. "I heard you helped Lance resolve a problem."

Evelyn didn’t answer immediately.

Silence was safest until she understood his intentions.

After a few seconds, Winston chuckled and turned around. "You’re quite an intriguing woman, Miss Sinclair."

"How so?" she countered.

He gestured for her to sit. "Alexander’s interest in you seems to go beyond mere utility. So why are you still so cautious?"

The abrupt shift in topic made her frown.

"Look at Lance," Winston poured her a glass of water. "Because of my indulgence, he’s willful and confident—even makes decisions for me. I assumed those who are cherished all act so boldly."

Evelyn laughed.

"You said it yourself, Mr. Strauss—those who are cherished."

She had never received Alexander’s affection.

Between them, aside from the child in her womb, there was nothing left. That marriage certificate couldn’t change the fact that they were already over.

Winston raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

When he’d mentioned Evelyn to Alexander earlier, he’d caught the flicker of something unusual in that notoriously detached man’s eyes.

Even with their contract, Evelyn was the woman Alexander had personally chosen.

He’d assumed someone as sharp as her would recognize that distinction and act accordingly.

Yet she carried herself like a single mother, wary of every step.

Winston shook his head, amused. "For someone like Alexander, even the smallest favor would make others grovel with gratitude, no?"

Wasn’t that the truth?

Evelyn’s lips curved into a faint smile. "I used to think so too."

She had waited years for his mercy.

Only to realize he wouldn’t even grant her the chance to feel grateful.

By the time he finally offered scraps, she had already outgrown the need to bow for anyone’s meager affection...

"Give it to me," Winston suddenly extended his hand.

"What?"

He met her gaze directly. "The footage you took from Melissa Lee."

Evelyn froze—then everything clicked.

Those images had been staged for Melissa’s camera!

Lance had deliberately chosen a room far from Winston’s to avoid suspicion, yet Winston still monitored his every move.

He’d spotted Melissa first, then deliberately acted intimate with Lance—all to force Lance’s hand through her blackmail.

"Lance likes you," Winston said. "He’s always indulgent with beautiful people."

In short, an unapologetic aesthetics snob.

"Add your connection to Alexander, and he pities you enough to grant a free interview with me. So I decided to test it."

Test whether Lance would defy Melissa’s threats and choose to go public—for Evelyn’s sake.

Winston had even prepared to suppress the scandal.

He knew not to push too hard, but if Lance took this step, they might one day stand together openly.

"Yet you unraveled my scheme so swiftly, Miss Sinclair." Winston smiled.

Alexander’s eye for talent was as lethal as ever.

Precise with investments—even more so with women.

"Seems I overstepped," Evelyn said wryly.

Taking Melissa’s camera had been instinct.

The woman’s panic, the exposed equipment when she stumbled—Evelyn had sensed the trap immediately.

After viewing the footage, she’d devised the cleanest solution.

Only to realize it was all part of someone else’s design...

"I deleted the video in front of Lance," Evelyn said. "There’s nothing left in my possession."

"Oh, but there is." Winston leaned forward, exuding quiet pressure. "You’re not Melissa, Miss Sinclair. You’d never erase your only copy."

He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

Chances like this were rare.

Lance wasn’t a fool—too many coincidences would raise his suspicions.

Facing an opponent like Winston, Evelyn knew deception was futile.

Her lips curved. "Since you know I’m not Melissa, why not try taking it from me?"

Lance was her friend now.

She would never betray a friend’s trust.