Chapter 126

"Stop it, Alexander!" Evelyn screamed, but he didn't even glance her way.

Her breath hitched as he lifted his hand, flinging the crucial earring toward the lake. Her heart turned to ice—she had nothing left to bargain with.

Yet fate seemed to be on her side. A thin layer of frost coated the lake's surface, and instead of sinking, the earring landed right on top of it.

Alexander's expression darkened. His brows furrowed as he considered his next move—just as Evelyn bolted past him like a storm.

He froze, stunned, watching her sprint toward the lake's edge like a woman possessed.

The ice was too far from the shore for her to reach. She grabbed a fallen branch, desperate to hook the earring, but her hands trembled—one wrong move, and it would plunge into the depths.

Alexander strode forward, gripping her arm and yanking her back.

"Evelyn, what the hell are you doing?"

"Can't you see?" She wrenched free, her voice sharp. "I'm retrieving proof—proof that Victoria is the real murderer!"

His jaw tightened. "Don't be absurd. What does Sophia's death have to do with her?"

Same old protectiveness. Same blind loyalty. He reached for her again. "Come with me."

"No!" She shoved him with all her strength, her eyes burning with defiance. "Don't touch me, Alexander. You make me sick."

His face darkened. "What did you just say?"

"I said you disgust me!" Her voice cracked. "You kissed a woman you despise just to shield that vile, scheming Victoria. How pathetic!"

His knuckles whitened, veins standing out on his forehead. But Evelyn didn't flinch.

She met his glare with icy detachment. "I see you clearly now. And I swear—if you want this earring, you'll have to kill me first."

Then, without hesitation, she leaped into the freezing water.

Alexander's breath stopped.

The lake was glacial, the cold sharp enough to steal her breath—yet she'd jumped in without a second thought.

Evelyn grabbed the earring, but the cold seized her muscles. Her right leg cramped violently. She struggled, but her body grew heavy, dragging her under.

Alexander didn't hesitate. He tore off his coat and plunged in after her, hauling her back to the surface.

"Let go!" She fought him, gasping. "I won't let you take it from me again!"

But his grip was iron.

When they reached the shore, Evelyn's leg still wouldn't obey her. She braced for him to snatch the earring—but he didn't.

His face was unreadable as he shoved her into the car, driving straight to her apartment.

At the door, he moved to carry her upstairs, but she shoved him away.

Leaning against the wall, she forced her numb limbs forward, each step agony. She could feel his gaze burning into her back, relentless.

Just before she reached her door, she quickened her pace—then slammed it shut behind her, locking him out.