Chapter 231

Evelyn stared at Alexander's stern expression, her breath catching in her throat. "Alexander, what did you just say?"

"Why won't you leave?" His voice had softened slightly, carrying an undercurrent of something resembling affection.

Her nails dug into her palms as she watched Victoria smirk behind Alexander's protective stance. The sight made her blood boil.

Just when Victoria expected Evelyn to erupt in fury, something unexpected happened. Evelyn's clenched fists relaxed, her anger dissipating like morning mist. She stepped closer to Alexander, her voice trembling.

"Alexander."

Tears welled up in Evelyn's reddened eyes as she gazed at his impassive face.

"I know I've made mistakes. I've disappointed you. But I've never betrayed my principles. Everything I've done was for Ethan and you. I would never harm an innocent person."

Her voice broke as tears spilled over. The performance was flawless - the picture of wounded devotion.

"I know words mean nothing now. But I'm innocent. I'll wait however long it takes for you to believe me."

Without waiting for his response, Evelyn turned and walked out, her solitary figure disappearing into the storm.

Through the rain-streaked window, Vivian could see Evelyn standing resolutely at the gates, letting the downpour soak her completely.

The scene felt eerily familiar.

Vivian remembered her own past - wrongfully accused by Evelyn, standing outside these very gates in the rain, pregnant and desperate for Alexander's trust. That memory still carried the sharp sting of betrayal.

Her gaze flickered to Alexander, who watched Evelyn through the window with an unreadable expression.

'Does your heart still ache for her, Alexander? After all these years of loving her?'

But within moments, Alexander turned away. He took Vivian's injured hand gently, carefully removing glass shards before disinfecting and bandaging the wound.

"Let's finish dinner." His lips twitched, but the movement didn't quite form a smile. Just a mechanical response.

He was pitying Evelyn. Just as Vivian had expected.

"Perhaps we shouldn't." Vivian smiled politely. "If I stay, I fear my life in Willowbrook will become even more complicated."

"I'm here. No one will dare touch you." The assurance came without hesitation.

Vivian's eyes widened in feigned surprise, while inwardly she scoffed.

'Alexander Blackwood, when I was your wife... did you ever protect me like this? You and Evelyn tore me apart repeatedly. And now you claim to be my shield? Weren't you the one who left me bleeding and broken?'

Outside, Evelyn stood drenched, calculating her next move.

This desperate play was all she had left.

She prayed the storm would worsen - that she'd catch pneumonia, collapse dramatically. That would surely capture Alexander's attention.

After all, she still held her trump card.

Alexander insisted Vivian stay for dinner.

From her seat, Vivian could see Evelyn's pathetic figure through the rain-streaked windows. The woman hadn't moved an inch.

But Vivian knew better. This was just another one of Evelyn's manipulative performances.

'The wheel of fortune has turned, Evelyn. Now you know how it feels to be wronged. How does it taste?'

Vivian hid her smirk behind her wine glass, draining it in one satisfied gulp.

"Miss Prescott, you handle alcohol remarkably well," Alexander remarked.

Vivian smiled. "Even Sebastian can't outdrink me."

"Is that so?" Alexander's lips curved, but his thoughts drifted to Evelyn Sinclair.

The Evelyn he remembered couldn't hold her liquor. That one time she'd gotten drunk, she'd clung to him, whispering sweet nothings in her intoxicated state.

Those memories felt precious now. Untouchable.

"Miss Prescott, could we be friends from today onward?"

"As long as you stop mistaking me for your ex-wife Evelyn Sinclair, friendship is possible."

"Don't worry. That won't happen again."