Chapter 224

"You knew all along?" Lance's pupils trembled.

"We got stuck in traffic that day. Winston and I exited the car in the driver's blind spot." Evelyn tapped her fingers lightly against the bed frame. "We weren't even at the scene when the accident happened."

Lance's throat moved.

He should have realized sooner.

No matter how forceful Madeline Kingsley was, Winston would never have cooperated without Evelyn's consent.

That roadside interview, sharing the same car...

Would Winston really cancel such an important meeting?

"You two..." Lance's chest tightened. "Planned this from the start?"

"We didn't anticipate the crash." Evelyn shook her head. "But the driver and bodyguards were Alexander's people."

Lance clutched his chest.

So Alexander Kingsley had known everything?

No wonder he'd confronted Madeline immediately upon arriving at the hospital.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lance's voice shook.

Evelyn simply looked at him.

The answer was obvious.

Winston's performance had one purpose—to force Lance to go public with their relationship.

And as for her...

"How did Melissa Lee find out about your secret marriage?" Winston smoothly changed the subject. "Who else knows?"

"She's just a pawn." Evelyn's gaze turned icy.

Who else but Isabella Winslow?

......

On the third day, Madeline Kingsley finally received visiting permission.

She wrung her hands nervously. "I wanted to bring soup, but the kitchen is still being inspected..."

Evelyn listened in silence.

Madeline hesitated. "What did the doctors say?"

"They advised rest."

"Well..." Madeline's eyes darted around. "Have you and Alexander considered adoption?"

The air froze.

"Isabella's child?" Evelyn cut straight to the point.

Madeline waved her hands frantically. "I refused! When she sent that message, I blocked the contact immediately—"

"I'm tired." Evelyn closed her eyes.

But Madeline persisted. "Feelings fade, but children are forever—"

"Grandmother." Alexander's voice could have frosted glass.

The Kingsley family stood at the doorway.

The Patriarch's face was stormy.

"Bring him in," Alexander commanded.

Police escorted a middle-aged man into the room.

Evelyn's pupils contracted sharply.