Chapter 246

Evelyn Sinclair's wrist ached from Julian Ashford's iron grip.

She tried to pull away instinctively, but his fingers remained clamped like a vise.

"Julian..." Her voice trembled.

Sunlight streamed through the window, yet the office felt suddenly frigid.

Julian's knuckles turned white as he stared at her with burning intensity. "What are you afraid of? That he'll discard you?"

The words stabbed straight into Evelyn's heart.

Her pupils contracted as she stared at this unrecognizable man before her.

Was this still the gentle, refined mentor she once knew?

Alexander Kingsley stood at the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression dark as storm clouds.

He remained silent, his gaze growing colder by the second.

"Divorce would be perfect." Julian suddenly laughed, the sound sending chills down Evelyn's spine. "Our child deserves legitimacy."

Evelyn froze.

She whipped her head toward Alexander, whose eyes had turned to ice.

"Julian!" Her voice cracked with desperation. "Have you lost your mind?"

Julian ignored her, instead smirking at Alexander. "What's wrong, Mr. Kingsley? Can't even control your own wife?"

The air thickened with tension.

Roman Young shrank into the corner, wishing he could disappear.

"Evelyn." Alexander finally spoke, his voice dripping with frost. "Choose."

Her wrist had gone numb from pain.

She pleaded with Julian through tear-filled eyes. "Please..."

Julian abruptly released her.

Evelyn staggered back, catching herself on the desk's edge.

"Come here." Alexander commanded.

His gaze pinned her like a butterfly to a board.

Evelyn took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Evelyn..." Julian's voice rasped behind her, barely recognizable.

Step two.

Step three.

Each movement felt like walking on knives.

"Evelyn..."

Julian called again, his voice hollow as a ghost's whisper.

She didn't look back.

Finally standing before Alexander, she tilted her head up to meet his stony profile.

"Move."

Alexander turned sharply.

Evelyn followed, flinching at the sound of shattering glass behind them.

The hallway brimmed with Kingsley Group employees.

Ethan Miller's disdainful stare burned into her.

The elevator descended in suffocating silence.

Watching the floor numbers blink, Evelyn suddenly spoke. "Alexander, actually..."

The words died on her lips.

How could she tell him that the child he'd long misunderstood was actually his own flesh and blood?