Chapter 1618

No.1

Alexander inhaled sharply. "Mother."

"What?" She blinked innocently. "Can't a mother tease her son?"

"Eleanor," Alexander forced a smile, "enough."

Tears welled in Eleanor's eyes. "You won't even call me 'Mom' anymore? What did I—"

"Mom!" Evelyn's voice cut in from the foyer. "Are you alright?"

She rushed to Eleanor's side, shooting Alexander a reproachful look.

Eleanor clutched Evelyn's hand. "At least someone calls me Mom."

No.2

Evelyn patted her arm. "We'll visit more often."

Eleanor's triumphant glance at Alexander spoke volumes.

Alexander: "......"

Fine. Whatever makes you happy.

......

Dinner began late with Patriarch Kingsley's delayed arrival.

Evelyn noticed Madeline's strained smile despite her efforts.

No.3

"Eat." Alexander deposited food on Evelyn's plate, frowning at her untouched bird's nest soup. "What do you even consume at work?"

This unleashed Madeline's concern. "We should have meals delivered to you."

"No need, Grandma." Evelyn smiled. "I manage."

Madeline's face stiffened.

Post-dinner, conversation flowed in the parlor.

Patriarch Kingsley praised Evelyn's Winston Strauss interview. "Brilliant questions. Left him speechless."

As Evelyn demurred, Madeline interjected, "But... no inappropriate rumors, I hope?"

No.4

The room plunged into silence.

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly.

"What gossip could there be?" Eleanor interjected quickly. "Winston was photographed dating his assistant recently. Evelyn is the perfect person to interview him."

"That's not what I meant..." Madeline's gaze shifted uncomfortably. She shot Eleanor a reproachful look.

They had agreed on this beforehand—why was Eleanor staying silent now?

Taking a deep breath, Madeline steeled herself to play the villain.

She had promised not to interfere in the couple's affairs, but this concerned the Kingsley family's reputation.

No.5

"Evelyn, I've heard some unpleasant rumors lately." Madeline pulled out her phone. "Several of my group chats are spreading... Of course I know it's all lies, but—"

"It's being handled." Alexander's icy voice cut through. "The gossip accounts are already retracting their statements and apologizing."

Though he opposed Evelyn continuing her career, he refused to tolerate his grandmother's veiled accusations.

"Can you really erase every trace?" Madeline glared at her grandson. "My brilliant, accomplished grandson married Evelyn properly, yet they're calling you some old man—"

"Mother..." Eleanor tried to intervene.

"And what about that man at the hotel? Surely that wasn't you?" Madeline grew more agitated. "I understand you young people enjoy secret marriages, but you'll have to go public eventually. How will the Kingsleys save face then?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes.

No.6

She had never intended to make her marriage to Alexander public.

Their union had been a matter of convenience from the start.

Given the chance, she would have left long ago—disappeared to raise their child alone.

"That was an interview." Alexander spoke abruptly. "A deliberate setup."

"Since when do the Kingsleys fear gossip?" His laugh was cold. "Those same people will be scrambling to curry favor with Evelyn soon enough."

"How can you know what they say behind closed doors?" Madeline pressed.

"Are we to police every whisper now?" The Patriarch had heard enough. "Going public won't stop the rumors!"

No.7

"But—"

"Evelyn's already being targeted in secret. Imagine the attacks if they went public!"

"Must they hide forever?"

"Why the urgency?"

The elderly couple's argument escalated, ending in a bitter stalemate.

Alexander had anticipated this.