Chapter 210

The morning air carried a chill that seeped into Victoria's bones as she stood outside the Blackwood Estate gates. What was meant to be her triumphant day - the 50th anniversary celebration of the Blackwood dynasty - had turned into a nightmare thanks to Dominic Fletcher and Vivian Prescott's unexpected appearance.

Her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms as she recalled the trending searches she'd begged Eleanor Kingsley to erase. Even with the digital evidence scrubbed clean, anxiety coiled in her stomach like a venomous snake.

Alexander hadn't returned her calls all night. Each attempt had met with the same infuriating busy signal. Had he blocked her? The possibility made her blood run cold.

At dawn, she'd stationed herself outside his mansion, careful not to cross the threshold uninvited. The grand iron gates felt like a barrier between her and everything she'd worked for.

Inside the estate, Alexander hadn't slept a wink.

Not since Evelyn Sinclair had turned to ashes in that terrible fire. Only the rare aromatherapy blends his father procured could grant him temporary respite - but last night, even those had failed.

Memories of Evelyn haunted him - those desperate, pleading eyes begging for his belief just once. Just one moment of faith in her.

He'd denied her every time.

When Dominic had accused Evelyn of being a gold-digging whore, Alexander had believed the lies without question. He'd watched the light die in her eyes piece by piece until nothing remained but cold ashes.

The pain in his chest was unbearable.

After splashing icy water on his swollen eyes, a servant informed him Victoria had been waiting outside for over an hour. He gave no response, instead instructing them to prepare Ethan for breakfast.

Seeing his son's face - so like his own at that age - suddenly filled him with revulsion. How could he have showered this illegitimate child with affection while treating his true heir with such cruelty?

The food turned to ash in his mouth. He pushed back from the table abruptly.

Ethan's wide, innocent eyes followed his father's retreating form. The boy didn't understand why his parents looked at him with such coldness. In his quiet moments, he dreamed of the kind woman who'd shown him warmth - Big Sister Vivian.

When Alexander finally opened the heavy oak doors, the gloomy sky mirrored his mood.

"Alexander!" Victoria's voice rang with false cheer. She'd planned this moment carefully - the perfect stumble after her "long vigil," the delicate twist of her ankle.

"Agh!" Her theatrical cry of pain went unanswered. Where Alexander would once have rushed to her side, now he stood immobile as a marble statue, his expression unreadable.

Pulling herself up with exaggerated effort, Victoria let tears spill down her cheeks. "Alexander... I know what Dominic said must have planted doubts in your mind. But I swear on my life - on Ethan's life - I've never conspired against Evelyn. If I'm lying, may I never see my precious boy again!"

Her performance would have moved mountains. But Alexander's face remained carved from stone as he stepped closer. His voice was dangerously quiet when he finally spoke.

"I have just one question for you."