Chapter 1653

No.1

Trading this hollow pretense for her safety—it was the last thing he could do for her.

"The Sullivans' banquet next week. The whole family will attend." William's voice chased after him.

No need to guess—another meticulously arranged meeting awaited. With Melissa Lee gone, countless others like her stood ready...

The Kingsley living room was littered with invitations.

"The Sullivans?" Eleanor Kingsley arched a brow at the gilded card. "We've never associated with them."

"That family's matriarch is insufferable." Madeline Kingsley sniffed, lifting her teacup.

A servant's excited voice interrupted. "Lord Alex is home!"

No.2

Both women turned toward the foyer.

Alexander Kingsley appeared in the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression stormy.

"Did the sun rise in the west today?" Eleanor greeted him with a smile.

Alexander strode straight to Madeline.

Her smile faltered as he snatched the phone from her hands.

"Alex!" Eleanor gasped.

His long fingers swiped across the screen. His voice was glacial. "Who's been Isabella's mouthpiece? Who leaked Evelyn's pregnancy?"

No.3

Madeline went pale.

Eleanor stood frozen.

Every servant in the room held their breath.

Alexander had never lost control like this. His warning to Madeline that day had only been the beginning.

"Explain yourself!" Eleanor moved to grab the phone.

But the old woman had already collapsed onto the sofa—her prized dignity shattered beyond repair.

Alexander Kingsley twisted his wrist effortlessly, evading Eleanor Kingsley's reaching hand.

No.4

His gaze swept over the red-faced, furious old woman. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Someone tried to push Evelyn down at the company today."

"What does her falling have to do with me?" Madeline Kingsley shrieked suddenly. "Should I be blamed if she sneezes too? Alexander Kingsley! You've gone too far! Cough—"

Violent coughing bent the old woman double, tears and mucus streaming down her face.

Eleanor hurriedly patted Madeline's back while turning to scold Alexander. "Have you lost your mind? Even if you're worried about Evelyn, you can't treat your grandmother this way! If you don't explain yourself properly today, don't bother coming home again!"

Alexander's expression remained icy as he tossed his phone onto the sofa.

"Isabella Winslow bribed a Horizon Media employee to cause Evelyn to miscarry." His voice held terrifying calm. "She knows Evelyn is carrying my child."

The words acted like a pause button.

No.5

Eleanor's tirade cut off abruptly. Even Madeline's coughing ceased momentarily.

"What?" Eleanor gasped before scoffing. "That does sound like something she'd do."

Everyone praised the Winslow heiress for her grace and intellect.

Only Eleanor saw the viper beneath that gentle facade.

Madeline kept coughing, but the shocking news left her speechless.

"Did you tell Isabella?" Alexander read the answer in Madeline's panicked eyes. "Or did your mahjong friends let it slip? You've been broadcasting Evelyn's pregnancy everywhere."

"I—I didn't..." Madeline's initial panic gave way to defiance. "The whole family knew she was pregnant except me! How dare you accuse me of leaking it!"

No.6

Alexander nearly laughed at the sheer stupidity.

He didn't bother explaining—Eleanor had already turned away in disgust.

"Because everyone else understood the gravity. You just found out yesterday, and today Evelyn was attacked. Madeline Kingsley, did you deserve to know this at all?"

"You...ungrateful wretch..." Madeline trembled with rage.

Alexander said nothing more, addressing Eleanor instead. "Get the details from her. I'm leaving."

He turned on his heel. Behind him, Madeline's hysterical sobs mingled with Eleanor's weary sigh.

Evelyn Sinclair stepped out of the company building to find Alexander's car parked in its usual spot.

No.7

As she hesitated, the window rolled down. His cold voice carried through. "Get in unless you want to make headlines."

With a resigned sigh, Evelyn opened the door.

Alexander's domineering nature hadn't changed in ten years.

Only after the car started moving did she notice the unfamiliar young man in the passenger seat.

Catching her gaze, he turned with a bright smile. "Good evening, Mrs. Kingsley. I'm Lord Alex's new assistant. You can call me Zheng."

Evelyn didn't ask about Nathan Carter's whereabouts.