Chapter 76

Evelyn knew Olivia's last sentence had thoroughly enraged Alexander.

He crushed his cigarette abruptly, his expression turning demonic. In one swift motion, he yanked Evelyn against his chest.

Olivia, suddenly deprived of Evelyn's support, stumbled and hit the pavement hard.

"Olivia!"

Evelyn cried out in alarm, struggling to reach her friend. But Alexander forcefully shoved her into the luxury car instead.

His voice dripped with venom. "Evelyn, is this your doing? Poisoning your best friend's mind with lies about me breaking promises? Playing the victim so convincingly? How...creative."

Alexander's glare burned through her, as if trying to brand his contempt onto her skin.

"Our promises? What promises could I possibly have made to someone like you? Stop deluding yourself."

Once again, he denied every vow they'd ever exchanged.

Evelyn hadn't expected him to remember those tender words anyway. Those memories had faded like morning mist, ready to vanish with the slightest breeze.

She pushed the thought away. Right now, Olivia needed her.

"Alexander, please let me take Olivia home. It's freezing out here at night. What if something happens to her?"

"Words have consequences."

His icy tone matched the Arctic temperature in the car. Evelyn recognized that dangerous glint in his eyes - he might retaliate against Olivia.

As he turned the ignition, Evelyn desperately grabbed his arm, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Alexander, Olivia was just defending me! Punish me instead! Beat me, send me back to prison - I'll endure anything! Just leave Olivia alone! Please, Mr. Blackwood! I'm begging you!"

She would have dropped to her knees if the confined space allowed it.

Alexander studied Evelyn's tear-streaked face, struck by how much she'd changed. The proud, stubborn woman he'd known now groveled before him - first pleading for his belief, now for mercy.

With an irritated sigh, he unlocked the doors. "Three minutes."

His rare leniency brought fresh tears. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood! Thank you!"

She scrambled out, hauling the dazed Olivia to her feet and half-carrying her toward the apartment building.

As they left, Olivia kept slurring, "Evie...don't let that monster fool you again...he's not worth it..."

Alexander took Evelyn back to the Blackwood Estate.

Unsure of his intentions, Evelyn moved cautiously, terrified of provoking another outburst.

While Alexander showered, she hand-washed Sebastian's designer shirt.

Now knowing Sebastian was Alexander's uncle made the task feel strangely inappropriate. But the dry cleaning fees for such luxury fabrics were beyond her means.

Just as she finished rinsing, Alexander's glacial voice cut through the steamy bathroom.

"What do you think you're doing?"