Chapter 1791

No.1

"By stealing from us?" Alexander scoffed.

The Royal Gardens theft case had been resolved. Her presence here reeked of conspiracy.

"Lord Alex, I admit to greed, but that's separate from Miss Sinclair's misdeeds!" Mrs. Wilson suddenly straightened. "Who in this household lacks selfish motives? You punished me only because I exposed her secret—"

"What secret?" Madeline demanded.

Mrs. Wilson turned to Evelyn, vindictive triumph flashing in her eyes.

"Miss Sinclair's illicit affair with Young Master Ashford led to..."

"Silence!"

No.2

Two sharp reprimands exploded simultaneously in the banquet hall.

Alexander Kingsley and Julian Ashford had both snapped at Mrs. Wilson in unison.

The housekeeper trembled under their glare.

Alexander's expression darkened dangerously while Julian's eyes burned with fury.

The entire room froze under the suffocating tension.

Mrs. Wilson shrank back like a frightened mouse.

Madam Winslow chuckled lightly. "Why stop now? Cliffhangers are so cruel..."

No.3

Mrs. Wilson glanced pleadingly at Madeline Kingsley.

The elderly matriarch closed her eyes briefly in silent permission.

Emboldened, Mrs. Wilson straightened under the twin daggers of their stares. "I despise Miss Sinclair because she's barren!"

She pointed accusingly at Evelyn. "She betrayed Lord Alex with Julian, got pregnant, then aborted the baby and ruined her womb!"

......

Deafening silence engulfed the hall.

Only the Winslows remained unfazed.

No.4

Evelyn stood motionless, as if detached from the scandal.

Everyone else gaped in shock.

Julian looked utterly bewildered.

William Yearwood and his wife nearly popped their eyes out.

Mr. Kingsley's jaw dropped while Eleanor gasped audibly. Patriarch Kingsley clutched his chest, trembling.

Tears trickled down Madeline's wrinkled face.

She'd known this painful truth long ago - the very reason she'd turned against the girl she'd raised.

No.5

The Kingsley bloodline must continue...

"Lies!" Julian roared. "Evelyn and I have never—"

Mrs. Ashford jumped in. "My son has never even dated!"

William nodded vigorously. "Julian's schedules are meticulously documented!"

Patriarch Kingsley exhaled in relief before slamming the coffee table. "Call the police! Arrest this slanderer!"

Mrs. Wilson hastily produced a brown envelope. "I have proof!"

Photos and documents scattered across the floor.

No.6

Patriarch Kingsley grabbed several sheets before flinging them aside. "Fakes!"

Eleanor nearly fainted upon seeing the images - sixteen-year-old Evelyn intimately posing with Julian abroad, hotel receipts bearing Julian's name.

"Where..." Eleanor whispered shakily, "did these come from?"

Mrs. Wilson cowered. "F-from Lord Alex's study..."

All eyes swiveled to Alexander.

His glacial voice cut through the air. "You're lying."

But Mrs. Wilson suddenly became animated. "There's another set in Lord Alex's safe! He's known about her betrayal for years - that's why he's neglected her!"

No.7

She turned to Evelyn with undisguised contempt. "How dare this shameless harlot enter the Kingsley household?"

"Shut up!" Alexander Kingsley's voice seemed to emerge from the depths of hell.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto Mrs. Wilson, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip.

Eleanor Kingsley was the first to rush forward and grab his arm. "Alex! Calm down!"

Alexander violently shook off his mother.

Eleanor stumbled back several steps, nearly falling.