Chapter 316

"Mother..." Eleanor Kingsley hesitated, "This isn't about propriety. I just don't want Evelyn to suffer anymore."

"What suffering?" Madeline Kingsley scoffed. "Is being part of our family beneath her? Why is she hiding like this?"

Eleanor's grip tightened around her teacup.

No one understood Evelyn's longing to marry Alexander better than she did.

That girl had once waited outside the Kingsley mansion just to catch a glimpse of him.

Was this the outcome she'd desired?

"Mother, let's not forget who pushed Evelyn away in the first place." Eleanor's voice trembled. "Alexander rejected her, humiliated her, tormented her..."

She wouldn't have lasted a day in Evelyn's place.

Yet Evelyn endured six years.

Six years of silent suffering earned her no mercy. Now that she'd finally found the strength to leave, Eleanor felt relieved for her.

The old woman would never understand.

She only saw Evelyn's reluctance to go public now, forgetting the years of pain that led to this moment.

"This discussion is over!" Madeline slammed the table. "Unless they divorce, the truth will come out eventually! They should stop meeting in public to avoid future embarrassment!"

Eleanor suddenly laughed.

"Mother, have you forgotten?" She met the older woman's gaze squarely. "Evelyn is Alexander's wife now, and she always will be."

Madeline's expression darkened.

"Save your schemes." Eleanor's tone turned icy. "Alexander wouldn't glance at those women you favor, and neither should you."

Madeline trembled with rage, her machinations laid bare.

But Eleanor had no more energy for arguments.

Some people would never grasp Evelyn's true worth to the Kingsley family.

......

"Miss Sinclair, you must be four months along?"

No sooner had the Kingsley women left than Evelyn found herself surrounded by socialites.

She rested a hand on her abdomen, smiling serenely. "Indeed."

Her composure only fueled their irritation.

"Mrs. Kingsley was just joking earlier. You didn't take her seriously, did you?"

Evelyn arched a brow. "Of course not."

"Rumor has it you only won that lawsuit thanks to your wealthy patron." Monica Simms leaned closer. "Getting pregnant by one man while pinning it on the Ashfords, then finding a fall guy—quite the strategy."

Before she finished, an authoritative male voice interrupted:

"Miss Simms, Horizon Media doesn't operate on nepotism!"

The group startled, Evelyn included.

Hugo Lee had appeared behind them unnoticed.

"Miss Sinclair earned her position through merit." His cold gaze swept over the women. "Perhaps you privileged ladies should stop projecting your pettiness onto others."

The socialites fell silent.

Only Evelyn remained unruffled.

Hugo Lee defending her?

Preposterous.

"Miss Sinclair," he pivoted smoothly, "a word?"

"Oh?" Her lips curved knowingly.

"About your new project." Hugo lowered his voice. "I'm leaving on business—today's our only chance to discuss it."