Chapter 307

Evelyn dashed toward Ethan without hesitation, throwing all caution to the wind. Her body moved on pure instinct to shield the little boy, consequences be damned.

Wrapping her arms around Ethan's small frame, Evelyn knew escape was impossible. She braced for impact as the screeching tires grew louder.

Just as horrified screams erupted from bystanders expecting tragedy, the car jerked to a sudden halt.

From her vantage point, Victoria cursed under her breath. How perfect it would have been if that reckless driver had eliminated both Vivian and Ethan in one fell swoop!

As the vehicle stopped mere inches away, the world seemed to hold its breath around Evelyn.

Slowly, she loosened her protective embrace to examine the trembling child pressed against her. Unexpected tears pricked at her eyes.

"It's okay now, sweetheart. Auntie Vivian promised to keep you safe, remember?" Her voice was soft as she gently ruffled Ethan's hair.

The boy lifted tear-filled eyes brimming with complex emotions. "Mama..."

That word again.

Evelyn's heart clenched painfully. She pulled Ethan closer, understanding his desperate need for maternal comfort after Victoria's constant neglect.

"Ethan!" Victoria's shrill voice cut through the moment as she stormed over. "Unhand my son, Vivian Prescott! How dare you touch him?"

Before Evelyn could react, Victoria roughly shoved her aside and snatched Ethan away.

"Are you hurt, baby? Mommy was so worried!" Victoria's saccharine tone dripped with false concern.

Ethan squirmed in her grasp before breaking free and rushing back to Evelyn. Spotting the scrape on her knee, he immediately offered his handkerchief.

Evelyn's chest warmed at the silent gesture. "It's just a scratch, darling. Don't fret."

As she reached to pat his head, Victoria slapped her hand away. "Keep your hands off him! I see right through your scheme to worm your way into Alexander's life through my child!"

Gritting against the sting in her knee, Evelyn rose gracefully, her regal bearing making Victoria shrink back. "You sacrificed your own son to save yourself. Remarkable parenting, Miss Lancaster. Truly remarkable."

Victoria's face flushed crimson as she yanked Ethan's arm. "We're going to the hospital right now!"

Ethan resisted, casting pleading looks at Evelyn, but the arrival of police officers halted any intervention.

The culprits—a bickering couple—profusely apologized, the girlfriend having grabbed the wheel at the last second to prevent disaster.

Meanwhile at Blackwood Enterprises, Alexander absently clicked on a breaking news alert about a near-fatal accident outside a prestigious kindergarten.

Normally indifferent to such reports, he found himself inexplicably drawn to the footage showing a familiar woman sprinting toward a small figure in school uniform.

The camera angle shifted just as the car barreled toward them, the screen filling with metal and smoke before cutting to black.