Chapter 540
No.1
As Evelyn opened her mouth to protest, he handed her a document.
"Read this."
She flipped it open—a confidential file in English.
"What’s this supposed to mean?" She feigned calm.
"Living here," he said meaningfully, "you’ll have access to intel like this anytime."
She shoved it back at him.
"I don’t need it."
No.2
Retreating to her room, she leaned against the door, steadying her racing heart.
Alexander had dangled bait.
Right now, her career mattered more than anything.
And he’d casually drop business secrets her way.
Should she take advantage?
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"What now?" She cracked the door open just enough to speak.
No.3
"A goodnight kiss isn’t too much to ask, is it?"
The door slammed shut in response.
Absolutely too much!
Alexander was the epitome of pushing boundaries.
......
Madeline Kingsley stewed in frustration after returning home, venting to her daughter-in-law: "I only wanted to know the baby’s gender. It’s not like I’d reject a girl. Why are they so guarded?"
Eleanor Kingsley stayed silent.
No.4
"They refuse to move back," the matriarch grumbled on, "and ignore doctor’s orders by leaving the hospital early. Don’t they care about the baby?"
"Young couples cherish their privacy," Eleanor deflected. "They’ve just reconciled. Give them space."
"If not for the pregnancy, I wouldn’t interfere!" Madeline huffed. "Eleanor, talk Evelyn into returning. She listens to you."
Eleanor wanted no part in this.
"Evelyn might heed me, but Alexander would resent it," she sighed. "He already blames me for not helping him win her back last time."
Seeing Madeline wasn’t done, Eleanor excused herself to prepare her husband’s late-night snack.
Alone with her longtime maid, Madeline complained, "This generation is so willful!"
No.5
"Exactly!" the maid agreed. "My daughter-in-law quit her job the moment she got pregnant. With the Kingsley fortune, why must the young mistress keep working?"
"Precisely!" Madeline slapped her knee. "Alexander should put his foot down!"
The maid lowered her voice. "The problem lies with the young mistress... Lord Alex is besotted. He indulges her every whim."
Leaning closer, she whispered, "Newlyweds can be reckless. The mistress is delicate—what if they harm the baby..."
Madeline Kingsley staggered back half a step.
"This..."
"The young mistress should return home," the maid whispered. "All women have soft hearts. If the man takes initiative, who could refuse? Besides, she must worry about Lord Alex straying during her pregnancy..."
No.6
Madeline's brows furrowed.
"Fine," she sighed heavily. "I'll play the villain."
The maid quickly added, "You're doing this for the Kingsley family. Lord Alex and the young mistress will understand eventually."
The next morning.
Madeline blocked Evelyn Sinclair's doorway.
"Evelyn, come home with Grandma." She grasped Evelyn's hand. "No more tonic. Just rest for the baby."
Evelyn's fingertips turned cold.
No.7
"Grandmother," Alexander Kingsley stepped between them. "We're in a hurry."
"Is work more important than your child?" Madeline persisted.
"The doctor said moderate work benefits the fetus." Alexander guided Evelyn into the car.
In the rearview mirror, Madeline's figure grew distant.
"Angry?" Alexander asked.
Evelyn stared out the window. "Next time, I won't guarantee respecting my elders."
Ice crystallized in her eyes.