Chapter 88

Alexander Kingsley's palm pressed firmly against Evelyn Sinclair's slender waist.

He released his grip on her arm.

His fingertips trailed upward slowly.

Finally settling on her full lips.

Evelyn's naturally rosy lips now glistened like honeyed crystal.

His thumb traced the curve of her mouth.

As if appraising a priceless treasure.

How strange...

The lemon water had been unbearably sour.

Yet his fingers carried the sweetness of her lips.

That lingering sweetness tempted him for more.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, her pearly teeth barely visible.

Alexander's finger seized the chance to slip inside—

She snapped her teeth shut, nearly biting him.

Her fumbling hand found the doorknob. She shoved hard.

Then fled through the doorway.

The door slammed shut with a resounding bang.

"Ms. Sinclair?" Nathan Carter hurried forward.

Evelyn strode away without looking back.

Nathan hesitated, glancing at the closed lounge door.

Oddly, Alexander didn't give chase.

Summoning courage, Nathan pursued Evelyn.

"Ms. Sinclair!" He intercepted her at the corridor's turn. "You've misunderstood Lord Alex."

Evelyn halted, her voice icy. "Misunderstood what?"

"Lord Alex only wishes to reconcile with you."

Those words unlocked a floodgate of memories.

For seven years, she'd heard variations of this refrain.

[Alexander cares for you]

[He struggles with expressing himself]

[You should be more understanding]

The Kingsley household had fed her these sugar-coated lies.

Only to whisper behind her back later.

Calling her delusional.

Declaring Isabella Winslow as the true Kingsley bride.

Those sweet nothings were poison wrapped in velvet.

Now that she'd finally broken free—

Someone dared suggest she return?

"Assistant Carter," Evelyn scoffed, "do you know what he's done to me?"

That relationship had been wrong from the start.

His emotional neglect had plunged her into darkness.

He'd even allowed Isabella to steal her cherished butterfly brooch—

Her last tangible connection to the past.

"Ms. Sinclair, Lord Alex canceled three critical meetings today."

Nathan spoke urgently.

"He never drinks from strangers, yet he accepted your lemon water."

Evelyn's lips curled in derision.

Had he not forced that final sip down her throat—

She might have believed this performance.

"He has his pride. I have my boundaries."

She turned to leave.

"Ms. Sinclair! That water was truly sour—"

"Nathan." Alexander's frigid voice cut through the air.

Nathan immediately fell silent.

Evelyn seized the moment to quicken her exit.

"What did you tell her?" Alexander's eyes narrowed.

He'd only caught the tail end.

Nathan swallowed hard. "I mentioned the lemon water's sourness."

"You didn't drink it. How would you know?"

Alexander's gaze turned razor-sharp.

"I..."

"How many more secrets are you keeping?"

Nathan's back prickled with cold sweat.

But Alexander pressed no further.

"Let's go."

"Returning to the office, sir?"

Alexander shot him a withering look.

Nathan flushed with embarrassment.

"The premiere banquet is tonight."

With that, Alexander strode away.

Nathan stood frozen.

Since when did workaholic Alexander Kingsley prioritize social events?

"To the premiere venue."

The cool command floated back.

Nathan suppressed an eye roll.

They both knew this detour was about Evelyn.