Chapter 1677

No.1

Alexander's glare cut into Evelyn. "Have you lost your mind?"

Staggering upright, Evelyn pulled out her phone. "Care to hear what she just said?"

"Enough!" He knocked the phone from her hand. "Even if she insulted your parents, does that warrant murder?"

The words cleaved Evelyn's heart like a blunt knife.

"My parents?" Her voice trembled. "Alexander Kingsley, you dare speak of them?"

Memories surged—

A teenage Alexander programming her fingerprint at the Kingsley estate gates.

No.2

"Remember, this is your home now."

Little Evelyn gazed up, eyes sparkling.

"Then who am I to you?"

"Alex!"

Her arms reached for a hug, met with his recoil—until warm fingers enveloped her icy hand.

"Come home."

...

No.3

A tear hit the floor.

Evelyn lifted bloodshot eyes. "Alexander, you're unworthy."

She picked up the shattered phone and turned toward the door.

"Stop!" Alexander commanded.

Her footsteps didn't falter.

"I said STOP!"

The door slammed shut behind her.

No.4

Alexander Kingsley's pupils constricted sharply.

He had never seen Evelyn Sinclair like this before.

Her usually calm eyes now shimmered with unshed tears. The droplets trembled at her lash line, stubbornly refusing to fall—their precarious balance more heartbreaking than any loud sob.

"You..."

Before he could speak, a figure stepped between them.

"Alexander Kingsley," Julian Ashford's voice was glacial, "since when did you stoop to bullying women?"

He shielded Evelyn, his heart wrenching when he saw that single tear clinging to her lashes.

No.5

The girl who had once endured snowstorms with gritted teeth was now crying before him.

That tear shattered Julian's restraint.

He bent to retrieve Evelyn's dropped phone, but instead of returning it, he seized her wrist.

"Come with me."

A dangerous glint flashed in Alexander's eyes.

He grabbed Julian's collar, his fist cutting through the air—

"Stop!" Evelyn's cry froze Alexander's punch mid-swing.

No.6

He sneered. "Does it hurt you to see this?"

Evelyn took a steadying breath, her gaze clearing.

"Yes," she met Alexander's eyes squarely, "I care about Julian because he cares about me."

Her words were a spark igniting gasoline. Rage blazed in Alexander's stare.

Julian's fist struck like lightning.

Alexander dodged, but the blow still grazed his cheekbone, drawing blood. The minor injury detonated his fury.

He yanked Julian closer and delivered a brutal punch.

No.7

Julian staggered back, colliding with Isabella Winslow.

"Mr. Ashford, please!" Isabella clung to Julian from behind, pretending to mediate while immobilizing him.

Alexander's second punch whistled toward its target.

"Alexander!" Evelyn lunged, wrapping her arms around his waist. "How dare you hit him!"

Julian broke free and retaliated with a strike that sent Alexander reeling.

"Evelyn!" Isabella shrieked. "You're helping an outsider attack Alexander!"