Chapter 86

Evelyn Sinclair had just picked up a paper cup when Alexander Kingsley spoke coldly, "You actually believe Isabella Winslow's words?"

Her fingers froze mid-air.

Isabella's face turned deathly pale.

It was common knowledge that Alexander never drank from cups handed to him in public.

Yet now, he was asking Evelyn to pour him water?

Evelyn calmly filled the cup with cold water and handed it to him. "Here you go, Mr. Kingsley."

The room held its breath.

Alexander's slender fingers grasped the cup, but he paused before drinking. Instead, he poured the water into the trash.

"Too cold," he said flatly.

The tension in the room eased.

This was more like the Alexander they knew.

Nathan Carter, however, broke into a cold sweat.

The current Evelyn was no longer the meek lamb she once was.

He hurried to smooth things over. "Miss Sinclair, Lord Alex prefers lukewarm water."

Evelyn scoffed and refilled the same cup.

The paper cup had softened, its edges slightly warped.

This time, Alexander didn't even touch it. He crushed it and tossed it aside.

"No lemon."

He remembered clearly—every morning, there used to be a glass of lukewarm water with a lemon slice by his bedside.

That had been Evelyn's habit.

For him to mention it now was already a major concession.

Evelyn stared at him as if he were insane. "Where am I supposed to find lemons now?"

She checked her watch. "If you're done here, I need to attend the premiere ceremony."

Alexander's eyes darkened. "You think that's still happening?"

The temperature in the lounge seemed to drop instantly.

"What exactly do you want, Mr. Kingsley?" Evelyn snapped. "Does Kingsley Group's legal team need you personally to harass me?"

Nathan quickly intervened. "Miss Sinclair, there's a juice bar down the street—"

"Fine, I'll check." Evelyn suddenly relented. "But no promises."

As she turned to leave, she paused. "Who's paying for the lemons?"

Her pockets were practically empty these days.

Alexander toyed with his phone. "Deduct it from your debt."

"That eight million hasn't even gone to court yet!"

"Forgot about the printing press incident?" Alexander arched a brow. "One month's salary."

Evelyn fell silent.

Money was the last thing she wanted to discuss.

Nathan slipped her a credit card as they left. "Use this, Miss Sinclair."

Luck was on their side—a lemon delivery had just arrived at the juice bar.

Evelyn's eyes lit up. "I'll take the entire shipment!"

Nathan nearly bit his tongue.

Trembling, he texted Alexander: [Miss Sinclair bought a lot of lemons.]

Alexander replied: [Good.]

Nathan decided not to disclose the actual quantity of the mountain of lemons now piled before them.

Evelyn rented a juicer and began squeezing furiously.

An hour later, she and Nathan returned to the lounge carrying two massive buckets of lemon water.

With a thud, she set them before Alexander.

Evelyn grabbed a porcelain cup, filled it to the brim, and handed it to him with a sweet smile.

"Enjoy your drink, Mr. Kingsley." She beamed. "This is all specially prepared for you."

The two buckets of lemon water shimmered under the lights, their golden hue almost blinding.

Alexander's expression turned sourer than the lemons themselves.