Chapter 1874

No.1

"Alex, your grandmother truly regrets her actions," Eleanor Kingsley interjected, noting Madeline's red-rimmed eyes.

Alexander's gaze sharpened like a blade. "Apologies are meaningless without guarantees."

"What guarantees?" Patriarch Kingsley demanded.

"Regarding her precious favorite." Alexander's smile turned sardonic. "She needs to say it herself."

Madeline shuddered before finally lifting her head. "From now on, only Evelyn is our family's daughter-in-law. Only her children..."

Her voice faded to a whisper.

Only then did Alexander give a curt nod and enter the hospital room.

No.2

Evelyn Sinclair lay in bed, staring blankly out the window.

"Evelyn!" Eleanor rushed forward to clasp her hand. "Are you feeling better?"

Alexander silently claimed the other side of the bed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Evelyn's ear.

"Next time something happens, call me first," he murmured.

Patriarch Kingsley quickly added, "Or your grandfather!"

Mr. Kingsley adjusted his glasses. "I've already arranged for our lawyers."

All eyes turned to Madeline.

No.3

She wrung her hands. "Evelyn... This old woman was blind..."

Evelyn offered a polite smile. "Don't say that, Grandmother."

The distant warmth in that smile made Madeline's heart clench.

She suddenly remembered raising her hand to strike Evelyn on the staircase—the devastating disappointment in those eyes that had pierced her soul.

"Evelyn..." Tears streamed down Madeline's face. "I failed you..."

Alexander cut in sharply. "Evelyn needs rest."

He knew this foolish girl too well. She forgave too easily.

No.4

Just as she'd forgiven him.

But some wounds couldn't be healed with mere apologies.

"It's all my fault..." Madeline sobbed into Patriarch Kingsley's sleeve. "How could I have—"

BANG!

The door burst open.

"Evelyn Sinclair!" Mrs. Winslow stormed in like a hurricane. "You murderer!"

She skidded to a halt upon seeing the room full of Kingsleys.

No.5

"Madeline!" Mrs. Winslow wailed. "Isabella... She's lost the baby! And it's all her fault!"

Madeline Kingsley's eyes reddened with self-reproach.

Isabella's mother barged into the hospital room with an entourage, radiating hostility.

"Your family caused my daughter's miscarriage!" Mrs. Winslow shrieked, her voice piercing.

The elderly matriarch froze in shock.

"What nonsense is this?" Eleanor Kingsley immediately stepped forward, shielding Evelyn's bed. "You've got the wrong people, Mrs. Winslow."

Her lips curled in a cold smile. "Are the Winslows addicted to fraud? First harassing Alexander, now targeting Evelyn?"

No.6

Mrs. Winslow stiffened.

Among Kingsbury's elite circles, Eleanor Kingsley was her greatest fear. The Kingsleys' wealth was formidable, Eleanor's wit razor-sharp, and Mr. Kingsley fiercely protective of his wife.

"Now, dear in-law—" Mrs. Winslow's bravado faltered.

"Who's your in-law?" Eleanor cut her off mercilessly. "Your daughter got herself knocked up and tried pinning it on our family. Karma took care of her little scheme. Now you dare show your face here?"

Mrs. Winslow trembled with rage. "Isabella was carrying a Kingsley heir!"

"Fine," Eleanor arched a brow. "Let's DNA test that miscarried fetus. If it's Alexander's, we'll take responsibility. If not..."

She stepped closer. "That's criminal fraud."

No.7

Mrs. Winslow's gaze darted away before landing on Madeline. "You personally approved their engagement, Madam Kingsley—"

"I was a fool!" Madeline snapped. "Your daughter pushed Evelyn down the stairs and got her just deserts. How dare you come here?"

"DNA test!" Eleanor pressed. "Do you have the guts?"

She added coldly, "And we're reporting Isabella for assault."

Mrs. Winslow paled.

She'd come to humiliate Evelyn upon hearing of her hospitalization. Isabella had gambled everything on this pregnancy. With the baby gone and no gains, she'd sought petty vengeance.