Chapter 181

A frosty smile curved her lips. "If that's true, then why would you associate with a woman who resembles her so strikingly?"

Her voice dripped with quiet venom. "Doesn't my face sicken you?"

Alexander turned, his gaze lingering on Evelyn with unsettling intensity. "Miss Prescott, your face is exquisite."

Yes, it was.

Just as breathtaking as hers had been.

No—perhaps even more so.

There was an ethereal purity to her features, an untouchable serenity that made his chest ache.

Alexander studied her as if trying to piece together a shattered memory.

Then his phone buzzed, shattering the moment. He glanced at the screen, irritation flashing across his face before he answered. "What is it?"

The wind howled too fiercely for Evelyn to hear the caller, but she caught Alexander's reluctant reply. "I'll be there shortly."

She expected him to drop her off along the way, but the car didn't stop until they reached a familiar gated driveway. The Blackwood Estate loomed before them.

Evelyn's pulse quickened.

He was testing her.

But she had prepared for this.

Margaret Blackwood rushed out at the sound of the car, only to freeze when she saw Evelyn stepping out. Her face drained of color. "A—a ghost!"

Evelyn laughed lightly. "Mr. Blackwood, I did warn you. Now I've frightened your mother."

Margaret clutched at Alexander's arm, her voice shrill. "Alexander! Explain this! That woman is dead! How is she standing here?"

Alexander's expression remained unreadable. "This is Vivian Prescott. She was raised in France. It's her first visit to Willowbrook."

"Pleasure to meet you," Evelyn said smoothly.

Margaret's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? Victoria called me earlier about a woman who looked just like Evelyn. I thought she was imagining things—"

She yanked Alexander aside. "What's going on? You abandoned Victoria at her own birthday gala! She's inconsolable! Don't tell me you left her for... this?"

Her venomous glare flicked to Evelyn—but faltered the instant their eyes met.

"My decisions are my own," Alexander said coldly, then gestured to Evelyn. "Come inside."

"Are you certain?" Evelyn feigned hesitation.

"Now."

She strode past Margaret without hesitation, delighting in how the older woman recoiled.

That fear was delicious.

But it was only the beginning.

The grand foyer echoed with an elderly man's booming voice. "Alexander, you reckless boy! Explain yourself!"

Henry Blackwood's cane struck the marble floor. "You scorned Evelyn while alive, chasing after that scheming mistress! I only tolerated this farce for Ethan's sake! And now—abandoning Victoria on her birthday? For what?"

Evelyn's heart clenched at the sound of her name in his voice.

Then Alexander pulled her forward. "Grandfather, look who I've brought."