Chapter 34

Evelyn stood shivering in the icy downpour, the darkness swallowing everything around her.

Ten million dollars. An impossible sum for someone like her.

Despite being the wife of Willowbrook's wealthiest heir, she'd never benefited from that privilege. Instead, it had brought her nothing but pain and exhaustion.

Her fingers trembled as she clutched her phone. She couldn't risk calling the police - Henry's life hung in the balance.

There was only one person who could help now.

But Alexander's number rang endlessly. Had he blocked her after all?

The image of her grandfather suffering propelled her toward Blackwood Estate.

Her right hand throbbed where Richard had crushed it earlier, rendering it useless.

She knocked with her left fist. The door swung open, followed immediately by a torrent of freezing water.

"Get lost, you filthy wretch! If I'd known you'd hurt Victoria this badly, I'd never have let you marry into our family!" Margaret Dawson's venomous words cut through the storm as she slammed the door.

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh. The irony burned worse than the cold.

She'd donated her bone marrow to save Victoria years ago. This was her repayment.

Biting her lip until she tasted blood, she moved beneath Alexander's window.

Rain pelted her face like needles as she shouted upward. "Alexander! Please, for the sake of what we once had! My grandfather's been kidnapped - you're the only one who can help!"

Silence answered her desperate pleas.

Just as she turned to leave, the door creaked open.

Her heart leapt. "Alexander-"

"Alex is busy... showering in my room." Victoria's smug face appeared, her smirk twisting the fading bruises from earlier.

Evelyn's hope shattered. "This is life or death, Victoria. Let me speak to him."

"He said looking at trash like you makes him sick." Victoria leaned closer, rainwater dripping from her chin. "Didn't I warn you what happens to peasants who cross me?"

The realization struck like lightning. "You orchestrated this! You had my grandfather taken!"

Victoria's lips curled. "Just inviting the old man for tea."

"You vile creature! Face me directly instead of targeting an old man!" Rage ignited in Evelyn's chest.

She seized Victoria's collar, slapping her repeatedly across the face.

Victoria's screams pierced the night. "Alexander! Help me!"

But Evelyn didn't stop. Every injustice, every humiliation - she poured it all into those strikes.

The dam had finally broken.