Chapter 1750

No.1

Playing the devoted lover while tormenting her behind closed doors.

He'd make that bastard pay today.

Too bad he arrived too late...

"Julian, the kitchen was—"

"Evelyn!" Julian cut her off sharply. "Must you always defend him? After everything he's done, can't you stand your ground post-breakup?"

Evelyn froze.

This marked Julian's first outburst toward her.

No.2

Though his tone remained measured, the reproach cut like a blade.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip.

Julian instantly regretted his words, panic flashing across his face. "Evelyn, I didn't—"

She wordlessly moved to the sofa.

"My apologies..." Julian stood rooted, visibly flustered. He'd give anything to retract those sentences.

"It's fine." Evelyn surprised him by offering comfort. "You're just worried."

He rushed to her side, voice strained. "I overreacted. Seeing the kitchen like that, I—"

No.3

He couldn't admit the outburst stemmed from something else entirely.

That impulsive embrace—he never wanted to let go.

Yet she'd pushed him away. Firmly.

"Ethan made the mess," Evelyn explained. "He broke glasses while boiling water and didn't clean properly."

Julian smiled bitterly. "Which makes my tantrum even more inexcusable."

"Occasional anger makes you human." She managed a small smile.

Alexander's insults had left her unfazed, yet Julian's sharp words stung.

No.4

This dependency had to stop.

......

"Eleanor, I need to ask you something." Alexander dialed his mother.

Eleanor Kingsley sounded amused. "Oh? Remembering your mother after losing your girl?"

Since when did he call her 'Eleanor'?

"Did Evelyn... ever call you 'Mom'?"

She pondered. "Yes! She asked if she could, but I refused!"

No.5

Alexander halted mid-step. "She really did?"

"I treated her like my own. Of course she wanted to." Eleanor sighed. "But since she'd be my daughter-in-law eventually, I told her to wait..."

How she regretted that decision now.

"Why the sudden question?"

Alexander swallowed his next words. "Nothing. Heading into a meeting."

At the conference room entrance, Nathan Carter briefed a secretary.

Ethan Miller rushed over in panic. "Emergency! Julian went to see Evelyn!"

No.6

Nathan frowned. "When?"

"They left for Horizon Media together."

Nathan shoved files into Ethan's arms. "Don't bother Lord Alex with trivialities!"

He'd barely convinced him to attend this meeting.

......

Eleanor called Evelyn. "Darling, your invitation to Grandfather's birthday is sent. About you and Alexander..."

"I understand. I won't mention it to the elders."

No.7

"Don't worry. I'll keep him away from you that night."

......

"Isabella! We received the Kingsleys' invitation!" Mrs. Winslow gushed. "How are things with Alexander? Will you go public at the party?"

"Mom—"

Isabella Winslow's tears spilled over at her mother's question.

Eleanor Kingsley's harsh treatment, Evelyn Sinclair's provocation, Alexander Kingsley's coldness—all her grievances came flooding back.