Chapter 947

No.1

"Must they hide forever?"

"Why the urgency?"

The elderly couple's argument escalated, ending in a bitter stalemate.

Alexander had anticipated this.

The Kingsleys were shrewd—all except Madeline, who insisted on stirring trouble.

His only solace was Evelyn choosing to stay.

After the gathering, Eleanor pulled Evelyn aside while Alexander was summoned to his father's study for a status update—the Patriarch's favorite pastime.

No.2

Only Madeline remained excluded.

Frustration welled up until she cornered Alexander in the hallway, eyes glistening.

"Alexander, I only want what's best for Evelyn!" she whispered fiercely. "The rumors claim... the child wasn't yours..."

Alexander froze.

"Who said that?" His voice turned lethal.

Unheeding, Madeline continued, "They say she used a surrogate. Not that it matters now—the child is gone anyway."

"Grandmother." Alexander turned slowly. "Do you think I'd raise another man's child?"

No.3

"Of course not." She glanced around nervously. "So... it was yours after all?"

A vein pulsed at Alexander's temple.

"She could only carry my child." The words were ground between his teeth.

Even if it weren't true—his word made it so.

"But the timeline..." Madeline hesitated. "Weren't you separated then?"

"Who told you that?" His gaze sharpened like a blade. "I warned you to stay away from certain people."

"I haven't contacted Isabella!" Madeline flushed angrily. "She's blocked! Fine—wear those horns proudly then!"

No.4

Alexander knew further conversation was pointless.

He strode toward their bedroom, his hand trembling slightly on the doorknob.

For a fleeting moment, he was transported back over a decade—to a late night when faint knocking had roused him.

Opening the door, he'd found a tearful little Evelyn clutching her stuffed toy.

"What madness is this?" The young man's eyes burned with sleep-deprived fury, his voice a dangerous rasp.

Evelyn Sinclair's fingers trembled around her stuffed toy. "I dreamed of Mom...she took me to the rooftop..."

"Shut up!" Alexander Kingsley's interruption was brutal. "Where are you now?"

No.5

Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "...outside your door."

"The rooftop?"

"No..."

"Then get the hell back to bed!"

Evelyn shrank away.

"Stop." His command froze her mid-step.

"I-I'll go sleep now..." She resembled a startled rabbit.

No.6

Alexander exhaled sharply before yanking the stuffed animal's ear, dragging both girl and toy into his room.

He shoved her onto the bed, wrapping the comforter around her like a cocoon. Only her glistening eyes remained visible.

"Will you stay with me, Alex?"

"Too old for this." He viciously tucked in the edges. "I'm sleeping next door."

At the threshold, he turned back, jabbing a finger at her feigned slumber. "One more sound and you'll regret it."

......

Alexander tossed in the guest room.

No.7

Evelyn's pitiful expression haunted him.

Of all the servants she could've disturbed, she chose him.

In his drowsy state, her imagined chatter tormented him. That persistent "Alex" echoed as she squirmed like a restless kitten against him in his dreams.

"Stay still!" He growled, seizing her.

The girl in his arms fought back fiercely.

The dream spiraled into absurdity.