Chapter 251

"You're always so gentle with your colleagues, Madam Evelyn." Nathan Carter's voice carried amusement, yet it made Evelyn Sinclair's fingertips tremble slightly.

She heard the unspoken implication.

Nathan's compliment was actually a veiled jab—she treated everyone with warmth except Alexander Kingsley, who received only her icy indifference.

Evelyn lowered her gaze without responding.

She hadn't even asked about Alexander's schedule tonight.

Nathan, like Ethan Miller, was one of Alexander's most loyal devotees. No matter how respectful they appeared on the surface, their underlying disdain for her never changed.

In their eyes, Lord Alex should remain aloof, treating her with contempt.

Now that he'd lowered himself to pursue her, she was the ungrateful one...

Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.

The words she'd said to Ethan couldn't be repeated to Nathan. This man was meticulous—she couldn't find fault in his actions.

Alexander wouldn't come himself, so he sent Nathan to torment her...

That faint guilt she'd felt evaporated instantly.

Had she begged him to send anyone?

A few bodyguards could have handled this. Instead, he dispatched his right-hand man.

This "generous gift" was more than she could bear.

"Lord Alex, Madam Evelyn has returned home safely." Nathan arrived at Kingsley Group just as Alexander finished a meeting and was having dinner.

Two simple dishes and soup. He ate with his left hand.

His right was in a splint.

No need for pretense here—only in front of Evelyn.

Nathan glanced at the injured hand and sighed inwardly.

Now he understood why Ethan always lost his temper.

Alexander hiding his injury was one thing, but if Evelyn cared even slightly, how could she not notice?

The warmth in her voice when speaking to colleagues today was something Nathan had rarely heard her use with Alexander...

Even he, not just Ethan, felt Alexander deserved better.

The Sinclair family had saved Alexander, true, but the Kingsleys had repaid that debt tenfold. If this was just about gratitude, why sacrifice himself?

Suppressing his frustration, Nathan still gave a detailed report on Evelyn's activities.

Finally, he hesitated. "Madam Evelyn... said nothing."

Alexander set down his chopsticks.

His gaze remained frosty.

"Do you know why I replaced Ethan?"

Nathan's back stiffened.

"I overstepped," he immediately conceded.

No matter his feelings, those words shouldn't have come from him.

"Demotion by one rank." Alexander wiped his mouth. "A light punishment."

Nathan exhaled in relief.

Rank could be regained—Alexander had been lenient.

But as he turned to leave, he couldn't help thinking: Alexander, always cold and unyielding, treated every crumb of kindness as a favor. Yet for Evelyn, he'd tear out his own heart.

And Evelyn?

Even during his coldest days, she remained the only woman he ever acknowledged.

What exactly was she holding against him?

Isabella Winslow visited often, but everyone knew there was nothing between them. Alexander's politeness stemmed only from her past aid to Kingsley Group...

Enough.

Nathan rubbed his temples.

Alexander had already disciplined him. He couldn't cross the line again.

3:00 AM.

Kingsbury slept.

Evelyn's bedroom door opened silently.

Alexander would never tell her he came to watch her sleep every night.

Tonight, a suitcase sat in the living room.

He'd known about her business trip for days, yet she hadn't mentioned it.

Just as Nathan said—she carried no thought of him in her heart.

Alexander's chest tightened.

No matter how often he told himself not to care, Julian Ashford's words echoed relentlessly in his mind.

That man still waited outside her office building.

He didn't want to lash out with cruel words again.

That had been his only outlet in the past.

Evelyn's departure severed that path completely.

The volcano inside him raged, with no way to extinguish it...

Evelyn stirred from deep sleep as weight settled behind her.

Dazed for seconds, she jolted awake.

She tried to move, but an iron grip held her down.

"Don't."

The hoarse voice was Alexander's.

Evelyn froze.

He held her too tightly.

The sensation against her lower back made her entire body stiffen.

Then his palm slid over her abdomen.

"When did this happen?"

He'd never asked.

When had things begun between her and Julian?

Half-asleep, it took Evelyn long moments to understand.

"You said..." She struggled to rise. "You said you wouldn't ask."

"I did. But you also promised to stay away from your senior." His grip tightened.

"Alexander! Let go!"

Evelyn didn't understand his sudden aggression.

She couldn't see the time but knew it was late.

"I have a business trip tomorrow—"

"Then behave." He forced her back down. "Don't make me force you."

Evelyn went still.

"You promised to trust me."

That vow during his attempts to win her back now seemed like a joke.

Alexander stayed silent for a long moment before suddenly seizing her wrist.

"Come here." His breath scorched her skin. "Pleasure me..."

Evelyn bit her lip.

This was the price.

Safe passage out the door required payment.

When it ended, she checked the time: 4:00 AM...