Chapter 370

Maxwell's gaze locked onto Evelyn's furious expression, and an unexpected smirk curved his lips.

Yet his eyes remained completely devoid of remorse.

Instead, his voice carried a bitter edge. "Evelyn, I've noticed you never smile at me when we're together. Either you face me with complete indifference, or you look at me like you want me dead. It's all about Olivia, isn't it? I didn't lay a finger on her. Is she really worth all this effort?"

The moment the words left his mouth, searing pain exploded across his other cheek.

Evelyn had struck him again in a fit of rage!

Her hands trembled violently. No matter how many times she hit him, it would never be enough.

Her eyes burned crimson with fury. "How dare you claim you did nothing to Olivia? Do you even have a conscience, Maxwell Lockwood? If you hadn't arranged her abduction, would she have been violated and forced into pregnancy? Would she have had to endure that monster forcing an abortion on her? This is all your doing! How can you shrug it off so easily?"

People continued moving through the bustling lobby.

Evelyn's raised voice carried clearly to every corner, including the reception desk.

The two receptionists nearest them exchanged horrified glances.

They wished they could cover their ears.

What scandalous accusations was this young woman making? That their general manager orchestrated an abduction leading to assault and forced termination?

Good heavens!

This was explosive information. Could they pretend they'd heard nothing?

Maxwell tasted blood and ran his tongue along his split lip. Tsk. Bleeding.

That woman never held back with him.

It seemed Evelyn showed kindness to everyone except him. She'd even smile at a homeless beggar on the street.

But for him? Not a single gracious expression. Every interaction came laced with venomous hatred.

Her contempt knew no bounds.

He'd never encountered such intense loathing from a woman before.

"I admit partial responsibility for what happened to Olivia."

Maxwell ignored the judgmental stares as if they meant nothing. "So what do you want from me? Compensation? Or are you planning to sue?"

He'd known exactly what would happen to Olivia when he handed her to that lecher Preston. And he'd done it anyway.

The woman had brought it on herself, trying to gather evidence against him.

Given the chance, he'd make the same choice again.

Evelyn trembled with rage at his indifference. "I want you to take responsibility for what you did to Olivia!" Her voice dripped ice.

Maxwell crossed his arms. "Oh? And how should I do that? Marry her?"

Evelyn's retort died in her throat.

What an absolute scoundrel!

Maxwell stood too close. His masculine scent invaded her space, making her skin crawl.

Aside from Dominic, she recoiled from any man's proximity.

She tried to step back, but Maxwell seized her arm and dragged her toward the elevator.

Pressing the button, he murmured, "This isn't the place. My office."

"No need. We'll talk right here." Evelyn wrenched free as if touching poison.

She'd never trusted Maxwell. Being alone with him terrified her.

Ding! The doors slid open. With a faint smile, Maxwell pulled her inside.

"Let go! Don't touch me! Stop—" Evelyn shrieked, thrashing wildly.

Memories of that night when Maxwell nearly violated her came flooding back. She kicked and punched like a madwoman, forcing him back several steps.

"Evelyn! I swear I won't touch you without consent! Calm down!" Maxwell's heart twisted at her terror.

He gripped her shoulders firmly, trying to steady her.

Evelyn froze at the helpless sorrow in Maxwell's gaze.

In his eyes, she saw her own shattered reflection.

Gasping, she leaned against the elevator wall, biting her lip. How foolish she'd been.

Yes, Maxwell bore some blame for Olivia's suffering. But what had she hoped to accomplish confronting him?

She had no proof of his involvement. Any evidence would have been destroyed long ago. At most, she might secure some trauma compensation.

Could she have confronted Preston Worthington, the actual perpetrator? She couldn't even handle Maxwell!

Worst case, she might sacrifice herself seeking justice for Olivia.

But what was her suffering compared to what Olivia endured for her?

Without wealth or influence, someone like Preston remained untouchable.

To society's elite, laws were decorations and morality meaningless.

Evelyn understood life's harsh realities. Knew how cruelly fate treated those at society's bottom.

The only path to justice required Dominic's help.

But would her lover intervene for Olivia's sake? Would he wage war against the Worthingtons over a personal vendetta?

The Blackwood and Worthington families stood as equals in power and wealth.

A conflict between them would shake A City's economy, harming countless innocents.

Moreover, Dominic and Preston Sr. were close friends.

She hated troubling him, but lacked the power to challenge Preston alone.

Evelyn's face paled. Her arms fell limp. Tears threatened.

She stabbed the door button.

As the doors parted, tear-filled eyes met Maxwell's.

Then she stumbled out, all strength drained...

Alone in the elevator, Maxwell inhaled her fading fragrance from his palm.

His expression hardened as he watched her leave. He dialed a number.

A rough, breathless male voice answered, mid-passionate encounter.

Maxwell cut to the chase. "What did you do to Olivia?"

"Olivia? The usual. Made out with her. Oh right—got her pregnant, but had that taken care of. You know my old man would kill me if I knocked someone up. Annoying how she fought it—stabbed herself with a scalpel rather than abort. Such a hassle," Preston answered casually.

A naked, beautiful woman—his fiancée Cecilia Worthington—nuzzled his chest.

Maxwell ended the call abruptly.

The answer matched expectations, yet still unsettled him...