Chapter 277

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly.

"What gossip could there be?" Eleanor interjected quickly. "Winston was photographed dating his assistant recently. Evelyn is the perfect person to interview him."

"That's not what I meant..." Madeline's gaze shifted uncomfortably. She shot Eleanor a reproachful look.

They had agreed on this beforehand—why was Eleanor staying silent now?

Taking a deep breath, Madeline steeled herself to play the villain.

She had promised not to interfere in the couple's affairs, but this concerned the Kingsley family's reputation.

"Evelyn, I've heard some unpleasant rumors lately." Madeline pulled out her phone. "Several of my group chats are spreading... Of course I know it's all lies, but—"

"It's being handled." Alexander's icy voice cut through. "The gossip accounts are already retracting their statements and apologizing."

Though he opposed Evelyn continuing her career, he refused to tolerate his grandmother's veiled accusations.

"Can you really erase every trace?" Madeline glared at her grandson. "My brilliant, accomplished grandson married Evelyn properly, yet they're calling you some old man—"

"Mother..." Eleanor tried to intervene.

"And what about that man at the hotel? Surely that wasn't you?" Madeline grew more agitated. "I understand you young people enjoy secret marriages, but you'll have to go public eventually. How will the Kingsleys save face then?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

She had never intended to make her marriage to Alexander public.

Their union had been a matter of convenience from the start.

Given the chance, she would have left long ago—disappeared to raise their child alone.

"That was an interview." Alexander spoke abruptly. "A deliberate setup."

"Since when do the Kingsleys fear gossip?" His laugh was cold. "Those same people will be scrambling to curry favor with Evelyn soon enough."

"How can you know what they say behind closed doors?" Madeline pressed.

"Are we to police every whisper now?" The Patriarch had heard enough. "Going public won't stop the rumors!"

"But—"

"Evelyn's already being targeted in secret. Imagine the attacks if they went public!"

"Must they hide forever?"

"Why the urgency?"

The elderly couple's argument escalated, ending in a bitter stalemate.

Alexander had anticipated this.

The Kingsleys were shrewd—all except Madeline, who insisted on stirring trouble.

His only solace was Evelyn choosing to stay.

After the gathering, Eleanor pulled Evelyn aside while Alexander was summoned to his father's study for a status update—the Patriarch's favorite pastime.

Only Madeline remained excluded.

Frustration welled up until she cornered Alexander in the hallway, eyes glistening.

"Alexander, I only want what's best for Evelyn!" she whispered fiercely. "The rumors claim... the child wasn't yours..."

Alexander froze.

"Who said that?" His voice turned lethal.

Unheeding, Madeline continued, "They say she used a surrogate. Not that it matters now—the child is gone anyway."

"Grandmother." Alexander turned slowly. "Do you think I'd raise another man's child?"

"Of course not." She glanced around nervously. "So... it was yours after all?"

A vein pulsed at Alexander's temple.

"She could only carry my child." The words were ground between his teeth.

Even if it weren't true—his word made it so.

"But the timeline..." Madeline hesitated. "Weren't you separated then?"

"Who told you that?" His gaze sharpened like a blade. "I warned you to stay away from certain people."

"I haven't contacted Isabella!" Madeline flushed angrily. "She's blocked! Fine—wear those horns proudly then!"

Alexander knew further conversation was pointless.

He strode toward their bedroom, his hand trembling slightly on the doorknob.

For a fleeting moment, he was transported back over a decade—to a late night when faint knocking had roused him.

Opening the door, he'd found a tearful little Evelyn clutching her stuffed toy.