Chapter 1012
No.1
She could never outmaneuver Isabella, much less Alexander.
To people like them, she and Sophie were just playthings for their amusement.
"Evelyn..." Julian's voice carried through the hedges, laced with unmistakable concern.
His car had been following her at a crawl.
Evelyn Sinclair drew a deep breath, forcing back her tears.
She lifted her chin, summoning a faint smile. "I'm fine."
Crossing the greenery, she opened the passenger door and slid in.
No.2
As she buckled the seatbelt, she flashed Julian a brilliant grin. "I always overestimate myself. Only after hitting rock bottom do I face reality."
"Don't say that." Julian pressed the accelerator. "You're stronger than anyone."
Evelyn fell silent, gazing at the passing city lights. Her fingers absently drifted to her abdomen...
That snowy night seven years ago.
For the secret that would change everything, she'd climbed out the window, shimmying down a frozen pipe.
The brittle pipe snapped. A jagged edge stabbed deep into her flesh.
To avoid detection—to deliver that secret—
No.3
She packed the wound with snow. Hid for two hours in the blizzard.
Until Julian found her.
Not strength. Not courage.
She'd spent a lifetime's worth in that moment...
Like loving someone with your whole heart, leaving nothing for anyone else.
"Look at this." Julian handed her a document. "The company can handle it if you'd rather not get involved."
Alexander Kingsley was determined to sue her.
No.4
Horizon Media had wisely forwarded the legal notice to Julian this time.
Evelyn skimmed the signature. "I'll deal with it myself."
She had nothing left to fear.
After years with Alexander, she knew his methods. Warnings came from Kingsley Group's legal team.
This bore his personal lawyers' seal.
Her grateful eyes met Julian's. "I can't always hide behind you."
She didn't need him to say it—he planned to claim authorship of the "Duan Sheli" pseudonym.
No.5
Alexander didn't know who really wrote those articles.
Otherwise tonight's argument wouldn't have centered on a maid.
His lawsuit fixation suggested he believed Julian was behind the exposé.
"I'll find more evidence." Evelyn set the letter between them, resolve hardening. "No one can break me again."
No one...
Would make her flee through subzero snow with an untreated wound.
"Full company support," Julian said, glancing at her profile. "Don't be afraid."
No.6
"I'm not." Evelyn relaxed into the seat.
Only matters of the heart could frighten her now.
...
Royal Gardens staff spent all night packing Evelyn's belongings.
The delivery didn't reach Madam Kingsley's tea garden until noon.
The flower-obsessed matriarch ran an exclusive tea house for select guests.
Golden sunlight drenched the courtyard.
No.7
Madam Kingsley sipped tea, eyes closed beneath blooming branches.
"Madam, Miss Sinclair's items have arrived. Where shall we put them?" Ethan Miller supervised every detail, not daring to cut corners.
He stole a glance at Alexander standing in the doorway's shadow, barely breathing.
Madam Kingsley opened a crate. Pristine fabrics spilled out.
"What's discarded was never treasured." She sighed. "Store it. If she ever changes her mind, I'll return everything. Unless—"
She broke off, looking up.