Chapter 1171
No.1
Evelyn didn't flinch. "Unless you no longer care about the family's reputation."
"You know what I care about." His words came through gritted teeth. "Losing you makes everything else meaningless."
He bent suddenly, teeth sinking into her neck.
Evelyn gasped at the pain, familiar dizziness washing over her.
"Let go—" Her breath fragmented.
Alexander released her abruptly.
Straightening, he watched coldly as she collapsed onto the sofa, face drained of color.
"There's only one way into the Kingsley family." He turned to leave. "You know it."
No.2
......
At Kingsbury Manor at dawn, the Patriarch walked arm-in-arm with Madeline Kingsley.
They'd barely exited their rooms when the figure in the hallway startled them.
Alexander leaned against the wall, eyes bloodshot.
"Cancel the banquet." No preamble.
The Patriarch erupted. "Invitations are already sent!"
"Alex," Madeline caught his arm anxiously, "with the Kingsley name, Evelyn will have better marriage prospects."
Alexander sneered. "Even you can't accept her infertility, yet expect others to cherish her?"
No.3
"Outrageous!" The Patriarch thundered. "The problem is Evelyn doesn't want you!"
"Have you considered, Grandfather," Alexander countered, "she might be refusing for the family's sake?"
The old man faltered.
"Stop poisoning your father's mind!" Eleanor Kingsley ascended the stairs. "We all know why Evelyn left you."
Her husband followed. "Who pushed her to this?"
Eleanor's icy gaze swept over her son. "Anyone who stops me from claiming my daughter today is no son of mine."
......
Evelyn never expected Mrs. Ashford's visit.
No.4
The phone call claiming she waited downstairs seemed a joke.
Until she lifted the curtain to see the parasol-holding figure in the garden.
Courtesy compelled her downstairs.
"Evelyn dear," Mrs. Ashford seized her hands warmly, "why keep such wonderful news secret?"
Evelyn frowned.
What concern was the Kingsley adoption to the Ashfords?
"Some announcements require proper timing." She politely withdrew her hands.
"But I know everything," Mrs. Ashford recaptured her grasp, stroking her abdomen. "You must take care in your condition. Julian's been frantic with worry."
No.5
Evelyn froze.
Condition?
Her disbelieving gaze dropped to her stomach.
Mrs. Ashford's words struck Evelyn like a thunderbolt, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.
"The Ashfords aren't unreasonable people." Mrs. Ashford smiled warmly. "You lost Julian's child before. Now that you're pregnant again, we won't deny responsibility."
Evelyn's throat tightened.
She recalled her recent symptoms—unexplained fatigue, nausea, mood swings...
Her fingers drifted unconsciously to her abdomen.
No.6
"How did you know?" Her voice was feather-light.
Mrs. Ashford's smile faltered. "A mother always keeps tabs on her future daughter-in-law."
Understanding dawned on Evelyn.
Julian had ordered blood tests during her last checkup but never shared the results.
He'd known all along...
"So," Evelyn stood abruptly, "you sent the Wells family to harass me, hoping I'd miscarry?"
No wonder old Mrs. Wells kept lunging at her stomach.
Mrs. Ashford's face darkened. "How dare you! That's my grandchild!"
No.7
"Your grandchild?" Evelyn laughed coldly. "Melissa Lee is your ideal daughter-in-law. You're only here because I'm about to become a Kingsley."
Caught in her lie, Mrs. Ashford's expression twisted.