Chapter 388

Evelyn watched the sleek black car disappear down the driveway, her fingers tightening around the strap of her purse.

Technically, she hadn't lied.

Their daughter was still alive.

The one who died was the naive and trusting Evelyn Sinclair, not your real daughter, Vivian Prescott.

Alexander had initially planned to take Evelyn back to Blackwood Estate after their visit to Eleanor.

But something shifted in him after the revelation. "I just remembered an urgent matter," he said abruptly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I'll drop you off first and pick you up tonight."

Evelyn offered him a gentle smile. "Go ahead, Alexander. I'll wait for you."

His lips curved, but the warmth never reached his eyes.

It was a hollow smile.

She had sensed the change in him the moment he learned Victoria was a fraud.

After stepping out of the car, Evelyn watched as Alexander drove away without a backward glance.

A stark contrast to how he used to linger, watching until she was safely inside.

Suspicion gnawed at her. She quickly hailed a cab and followed him.

To her surprise, he stopped at the detention center.

Had he come to see her?

Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smirk, her eyes glinting with icy amusement.

"Still clinging to her, aren't you, Alexander?"

Victoria nearly tripped over her own feet in excitement when she was informed of her visitor.

Oh, how she wished she could freshen up—apply some makeup, tame her unruly hair—but the detention center offered no such luxuries.

Still, even without cosmetics, Victoria knew she was striking. And with the secret she held, she felt invincible.

She walked with light steps, even pausing to smooth her hair before entering the visitation room.

The moment the doors opened, her blood ran cold.

Alexander sat across from her, his expression unreadable, his presence like a winter storm.

Her smile faltered. Slowly, she approached, the air growing colder with each step.

Summoning every ounce of courage, she sat across from him.

Tears welled in her eyes. "You finally came," she whispered, voice trembling. "I've missed you so much. This place is horrible. Someone even hit me last night—Vivian's doing, I'm sure of it. She framed me, Alexander! She paid off my foster parents to lie. That woman is dangerous—don't let her fool you!"

"Fool me?"

His voice was like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

Victoria flinched, her breath hitching as she met his piercing gaze.

He wore a crisp black button-down beneath a tailored coat, his aura radiating icy detachment.

"Everything I've told you is true," she pleaded. "Don't you remember your promise to me at Pinecrest Heights? You swore you'd protect me, love me—"

A cold scoff cut her off.

Victoria recoiled, her confidence crumbling.

She searched his face desperately, but his expression was unreadable. "Alexander, what's wrong? Why—"

He stood abruptly, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. In one swift motion, he grabbed her collar, yanking her forward.

His eyes burned with fury.

"You were never the girl I met at Pinecrest Heights."