Chapter 297

A satisfied smile curved Evelyn's lips as she met Alexander's gaze, her words deliberately provoking Victoria until visible veins throbbed at the woman's temples.

"How dare you interfere between Alexander and me, Vivian Prescott! I'm the only woman he's ever loved - why would he marry someone like you?"

Victoria practically flung herself off the hospital bed in distress, rushing toward Alexander with tears welling in her eyes, the perfect picture of fragility.

"She's lying, isn't she? Tell me she's lying, Alexander!"

"She's not." Alexander's immediate response left Victoria gaping like a fish out of water.

Evelyn's smile deepened with satisfaction. "Who knows what might have happened if you hadn't saved me, Alexander. Are you free tonight? I'd like to properly express my gratitude."

"My schedule is clear," he replied smoothly, his gaze sweeping over her. "Have you fully recovered?"

"Completely." Evelyn's eyes sparkled as she turned a meaningful look toward Victoria. "I should thank you too, Miss Lancaster. I never realized how deeply Alexander cared for me until your little... performance."

Victoria's face flushed crimson with humiliation. Noticing Alexander's deepening frown, she abruptly switched tactics, bursting into dramatic sobs. "Why does everyone insist on hurting me? What have I done to deserve this? Must I die before you'll stop tormenting me?"

With a theatrical wail, she shoved past Evelyn and fled the room.

Alexander's arm shot out to steady Evelyn as she stumbled from the impact. For one breathless moment, she found herself pressed against his chest, enveloped in his crisp, masculine scent that made her pulse stutter.

Regaining her balance, Evelyn quickly extracted herself from his hold, glancing toward the doorway. "Aren't you going after her? What if she tries jumping again—"

Alexander cut her off with a derisive chuckle. "If she were truly suicidal, she wouldn't have survived the first attempt."

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise.

Had he seen through Victoria's manipulations all along?

"You mentioned wanting to thank me? Let's go." Alexander turned on his heel.

Evelyn hesitated only a moment before following.

She treated him to dinner at Willowbrook's most exclusive restaurant, where crystal chandeliers cast golden light over linen-draped tables.

Later, as Alexander's luxury car pulled up to her apartment building, he caught her wrist just as she reached for the seatbelt.

"Mr. Blackwood?" Evelyn turned, eyebrows raised in question.

"It was Alexander earlier," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. A teasing smile played across his devastatingly handsome features. "When did we revert to formalities?"

Evelyn offered a polite smile. "Very well, Alexander. Was there something else?"

"Do you understand the implications of what you told Victoria Lancaster today?" His gaze held an unreadable intensity.

Evelyn blinked innocently. "I merely stated facts, though I apologize if I've made things awkward between you and your... companion."

"I don't want your apology." With a sudden tug, Alexander pulled her startlingly close.

Their faces were mere inches apart now, breaths mingling in the confined space.

"Marry me, Vivian."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat despite herself.

She hadn't expected his words to affect her so deeply.

Perhaps hatred and attraction were two sides of the same coin.

A bitter smile touched her lips as she pulled away. "What an amusing suggestion, Mr. Blackwood. You have your precious Victoria, and I'm promised to Sebastian. Besides..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "We both know it's only this face that interests you. How ironic that the very features you despise are what caught your attention."

The pain in her eyes was unmistakable as she turned to leave, the door closing with finality between them.