Chapter 315

Alexander's expression was deadly serious, but Evelyn had no intention of rekindling anything with him. That night at Pinecrest Heights, she had merely taken advantage of his drunken state to deceive him.

She refused to let this ruthless man manipulate her heart again.

Evelyn tried to pull away, but her consciousness was slipping. Her body felt foreign, reacting against her will.

The drug dulled her senses, making her lean helplessly into Alexander's broad chest.

With each breath, his cold, masculine scent and the warmth of his body threatened to unravel her completely.

Victoria had truly gone all out. A single sip, and the effects were overwhelming.

As Alexander carried her toward the bedroom, Evelyn mustered the last shreds of her willpower and gripped his collar tightly. "Alexander, let me go—"

Her voice came out breathy, seductive. A rejection that sounded like an invitation.

Alexander glanced down at the flushed woman in his arms and kept walking.

"Put me down! You can't—"

Her protest died as cold water shocked her system.

He had placed her in the bathtub. "Don't worry. I won't force you into anything."

His voice, gentle as a mountain spring, soothed the fire raging inside her.

The words stunned her.

"Hold on. You'll be okay."

That tender reassurance, so unlike him, acted like a sedative. Her panic ebbed.

When he reached to remove her dress, Evelyn caught his wrist.

"I can do it myself. Get out."

Feeling the heat of her skin, Alexander nodded. "Call if you need me. I'll be right outside."

"Okay." She released his hand with effort.

The moment the bathroom door closed, Evelyn turned the faucet to cold and drenched herself completely.

Outside, autumn rain began to fall, pattering against the windows.

Alexander stood by the sill, listening to the shower run. His thoughts drifted.

Memories flooded him like the storm outside.

He remembered Evelyn presenting evidence of her innocence—evidence he'd destroyed without hesitation to protect Victoria.

Her tearful question echoed in his mind: Do you even care if I die?

His cruel response haunted him now: Are you dead, then?

Those words must have shattered her. Now, the pain pierced him a thousand times worse.

Only after losing her had he realized her worth.

Evelyn, I regret everything.

But you never gave me a chance to make it right.

I've lost.

A bitter smile touched his lips as he stared into the rainy night. His eyes burned.

Crash!

A loud thud from the bathroom snapped him back. Without thinking, Alexander rushed inside.

Evelyn sat drenched in the tub, her expression dazed.

His gaze darkened as he scooped her up. The soaked dress clung to her curves, and when his hands touched her skin, she shuddered.

"Vivian, are you okay?"

The worry in his voice was unmistakable.

Evelyn shook her head weakly. "I'm fine. Just... let me stay under the water a little longer. It's helping."