Chapter 30

No.1

"Step aside, Ethan. I have appointments."

Explaining to Alexander wasn't worth her breath—let alone his assistant.

She was done.

"Miss Sinclair!" Ethan nearly grabbed her arm. "Lord Alex is waiting in that car over—don't look! He forbade me from telling you..."

Nathan Carter handled the Horizon Media lawsuit.

Whatever Nathan said prompted Alexander to defy doctors and wait outside Horizon all afternoon.

His car had trailed Evelyn for blocks until Ethan intervened.

"Ethan, I'm on a tight schedule."

Evelyn checked her watch.

Alexander's motives didn't interest her.

"Miss Sinclair, just apologize. You don't need the money. Why torment Lord Alex at Horizon? His health can't take this strain."

No.2

Evelyn studied his anxious face and smiled. "You tell me not to look, yet demand I return?"

In his hesitation, she turned.

A black Maybach waited across the street, windows tinted. But she knew Alexander watched.

The irony...

For seven years at Royal Gardens, she'd rarely seen him.

Always busy—meetings, negotiations, business trips... or dates with Isabella.

If she wanted him, she'd wait endlessly at home or humiliate herself visiting Kingsley Group.

The executive office staff feigned respect while mocking her behind her back.

And Alexander? He'd freeze her out—leaving her invisible in his office.

She'd wait foolishly, staring hopelessly, treasuring any accidental glance.

Now they'd broken up.

No.3

Yet suddenly, he kept seeking her out...

So the squeaky wheel really does get the grease.

Evelyn Sinclair finally understood this truth today.

Had she known earlier, she would've cast aside all restraint—making small scenes every three days and big ones every five, turning the Kingsley household upside down.

At least then she might have seen him more often.

What did it matter if he already despised her?

What had all her caution gained her over the years?

...

But it was too late for regrets now.

She no longer needed any of it...

The Maybach's windows were black as ink, like Alexander Kingsley's perpetually inscrutable eyes.

No.4

The stubbornness in the Sinclair bloodline had sealed their fate thirteen years ago.

Evelyn's lips curled in self-mockery.

The only thing she'd ever given up halfway in her life was her feelings for Alexander.

Once was enough.

Life offered no second chances.

While Ethan Miller still hesitated anxiously, Evelyn had already walked past him without looking back.

"Ms. Sinclair—" Ethan didn't dare stop her again.

The Maybach suddenly roared to life, cutting sharply across Evelyn's path.

"Get in."

Alexander's voice came through clearly.

Evelyn's lashes trembled slightly, but her gaze remained fixed ahead.

No.5

Now it was her turn to ignore him.

"Stop her."

At Alexander's icy command, the Maybach lurched onto the sidewalk, blocking Evelyn like an impenetrable wall.

The door slowly opened.

"Get in," Alexander repeated.

Evelyn had no choice but to look inside.

His chiseled profile appeared slightly pale, thin lips pressed tightly together.

She'd been mistaken...

Alexander still couldn't even grant her the courtesy of eye contact.

"Say what you need to say here," Evelyn replied calmly, knowing escape was impossible.

Her gaze met his evenly.

No.6

"Resign. Retract the article. Apologize—" He turned fully toward her, his haggard features no less striking, "—to Isabella Winslow."

Evelyn bit her lower lip.

So all this pursuit had been for Isabella's sake.

To spare his beloved any discomfort...

To ensure no third-party blemishes tainted their love story.

Evelyn suddenly laughed.

"I thought Nathan made our position quite clear."

"I'll resign, but the article stays." Her tone brooked no argument. "As for an apology—"

"Whether I've spread lies, Lord Alex knows the truth."

Alexander's jaw clenched audibly.

"Evelyn, this is your last chance—"

No.7

"When have you ever given me chances?" Evelyn interrupted, eyes flashing with derision. "Spare me the false generosity."

A glacial chill entered Alexander's gaze.

Evelyn had already lowered her head. "I won't waste any more of your time."

She turned and strode quickly away, disappearing down a one-way street.

This time, Alexander didn't follow.

Perhaps because of the traffic laws.

Or perhaps because she was no longer worth the effort.