Chapter 146

Evelyn glanced up and locked eyes with Maxwell.

"How's Grandfather doing?" Maxwell didn't interrupt Evelyn and the little boy. He strode directly toward the hospital bed.

Silence answered his question.

Evelyn instantly tensed. The child clinging to her leg looked up and mouthed soundlessly, "Don't worry, Aunt Evie. Daddy's coming back soon."

Maxwell settled into the chair beside the bed, staring at the old man's scabbed face. Resentment churned in his gut. How dare they hurt him like this?

Yet without this injury, he wouldn't have leverage over Evelyn.

The moral dilemma twisted inside him. 'Does the end justify the means? Or is ruthlessness simply human nature? Soft hearts never win.'

Grandfather stirred awake.

"Maxwell...you came?" His voice rasped weakly.

"Grandfather." Evelyn rushed to adjust his pillows.

Maxwell leaned forward. "Forgive me. This wouldn't have happened if I'd been more vigilant."

He'd personally delivered the old man to the hospital, crafting his alibi from the beginning. The kidnapper's fabricated story matched perfectly - a revenge plot against Maxwell for reporting their boss's rape case.

Maxwell had studied the staged video. "Your grandson couldn't keep his mouth shut! Now you'll pay!" the actor had shouted.

"I don't blame you..." Grandfather murmured.

He meant Maxwell's decision to report the rapist - the right choice. But with Evelyn and Alexander present, he left it at that.

After ten minutes, Maxwell rose to leave.

Grandfather called to Evelyn, oblivious to her stiff posture by the window. "Evie, walk Maxwell out..."

She followed, needing to speak her mind.

Alexander kicked off his shoes and scrambled onto the bed. "Great-grandpa visited earlier. Daddy took him home before you woke up."

"Your great-grandfather came?" Old Man Sinclair looked startled.

The boy blinked Evelyn's large eyes. "He promised to bring chess tomorrow and beat you!"

At the elevator, Maxwell watched Evelyn turn away.

His voice dripped irritation. "This is how you see guests out?"

She'd followed intending to confront him, but what was the point? Reasoning with a snake was impossible.

Her phone buzzed.

An Instagram voice message from an unknown account.

Maxwell's voice purred through the speaker: "Did you have something to tell me?"

Evelyn scowled at her screen. When had he followed her? That day she fainted?

She deleted it.

Another message arrived. "You hesitated earlier. Wise choice. Had you mentioned divorce...well, let's say the hospital would've witnessed interesting scenes."

Then a third. "I told my parents I'm fetching my wife. Returning alone makes you look...ungracious."

"Why hasn't Dominic come for Alexander yet?" Grandfather asked his granddaughter still frozen by the door.

Evelyn blocked Maxwell's account. "Traffic," she lied.

She longed to confess everything - that Dominic wasn't her husband, would never be. But elderly minds resisted change.

Tucking in his blanket, she ventured, "Grandfather...Dominic and I...we're too different."

The old man studied her.

Evelyn glanced at Alexander. The boy deserved to hear this too.

"Of course there are gaps," Grandfather soothed. "But you love him, not his money, right?"

"I'm...done. Exhausted." The words burned her throat.

Tears welled despite her efforts.

Five-year-old Alexander caught her meaning. His lips trembled. "Daddy's really nice though..."

Evelyn knew once she explained properly, she'd never see Dominic, Isabella or Alexander again. The thought hollowed her chest.

The boy panicked, listing his father's virtues. "He's rich! Tall! Handsome! Good genes! His temper's just from work stress! He can't cook but—"

"Still not special," Evelyn cut in, hugging him tightly.

Alexander squirmed in her arms—then gasped. "Daddy!"

Dominic stood in the doorway.

"Down. Shoes on. We're leaving." He lifted his son, letting him struggle with one missing shoe.

As Evelyn packed Alexander's schoolbag, Dominic took it from her hands. His voice dropped dangerously low. "Do I need redeeming qualities to fuck you?"

She glanced at Grandfather, cheeks flaming. "Dozens. Which you lack!"

Money-making aside, the man was emotionally bankrupt.

She turned away.

His grip trapped her wrist.

Dominic's breath scorched her ear. "Tell me, darling...which of my...assets haven't you thoroughly enjoyed?"