Chapter 322
"What a disgraceful scene at what should have been a joyous celebration." Madam Zade's knuckles turned white as she gripped her wine glass.
Her icy gaze swept over the pale faces of Chloe Cui and Monica Mo. "Miss Sinclair is an honored guest of the Sullivan family. Who gave you the audacity to play such dirty tricks at our banquet?"
Under normal circumstances, Madam Zade might have hesitated to make a public scene.
But tonight was different.
The Kingsleys had made their stance clear.
Whatever history existed between Evelyn Sinclair and Alexander Kingsley, the Kingsley family was determined to protect her now.
"Mrs. Kingsley, we truly—" Chloe's voice trembled.
"Save your explanations." Eleanor Kingsley rose gracefully, extending her hand toward Alexander.
His gaze lingered on Evelyn's face for a fleeting moment before he escorted his mother from the banquet hall.
With the Kingsleys' departure, the event dissolved into chaos.
Hugo Lee attempted to slip away in the crowd but found his path blocked by dark-suited men in the parking garage.
"Mr. Lee, a word."
Cold sweat drenched his back.
Evelyn returned to her apartment and began packing in silence.
A quick survey revealed few belongings worth taking—just work equipment and essentials.
Her fingertips brushed the dusty surface of her desk.
This small apartment held too many memories.
She'd thought she could stay a little longer...
As she wheeled her suitcase toward the door, she collided with a pair of stormy eyes.
"Where are you going?" Julian Ashford's voice tightened at the sight of her luggage.
They hadn't faced each other like this in months.
Evelyn blinked, then offered a faint smile. "Thank you for everything, Julian."
"For what?" His brow furrowed.
"For the apartment. For all your help." Her words floated like feathers.
A sharp pain lanced through Julian's chest.
"Was it Alexander who came to your rescue tonight?" His voice turned hoarse. "You hid nearby while I spoke with him?"
Evelyn didn't deny it.
She'd discovered he rented this place—now even this last connection would be severed.
Julian laughed suddenly, the sound edged with bitterness. "After how you left the Kingsleys, you're rushing back to him so soon?"
He expected anger or shame.
Instead, Evelyn lifted tear-bright eyes. "That's enough, Julian."
He froze as if struck by lightning.
"You—" His voice shook.
"I've received your guilt and atonement." Her throat constricted. "It's time to move on. Both of us."
Her hand rested lightly on her abdomen. "I've found someone to protect for a lifetime. I hope you can too..."
Julian stood paralyzed as she walked past him, suitcase wheels clicking against the floor.
Only when the sound faded did he snap back to reality.
She remembered...
Everything.
The obsessions he'd clung to suddenly slipped through his fingers.
"His name is Guo Cheng. Just happens to share my build." Alexander tossed surveillance photos onto the coffee table.
Madeline Kingsley jabbed at an image. "That's him! Evelyn was with—"
"Watch this." Alexander signaled his assistant to play a video.
The footage showed Madeline and Chloe lurking outside a door. Suddenly, Chloe pressed a handkerchief to the older woman's neck—
Madeline collapsed. Chloe dropped beside her...
"What—" The matriarch's eyes bulged.
"They lured Evelyn there, had that man say suggestive things." Eleanor's lips thinned. "Mother, you were their pawn!"
"But Evelyn's baby—"
"DNA doesn't lie."
A clear voice rang from the doorway.
"Evelyn!" Eleanor sprang up in delight.
Evelyn stood on the steps, backlit by courtyard lights like scattered stars.
Alexander's breath caught at the suitcase in her hand.
Her face held a long-absent ease—a weary bird returning to its nest.
In that moment, he knew with absolute certainty—
His Evelyn had returned.