Chapter 36

Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief. This couldn't be happening! How could Alexander Kingsley, of all people, fall for this pathetic act?

Was he really that blind?

Before she could react, Alexander grabbed an umbrella and strode toward the door without a word.

"Mr. Kingsley!" Isabella called out, frustration bubbling in her chest. But he didn’t even glance back. She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to shake some sense into him.

Outside, Victoria Sterling lay crumpled in the rain, her strength nearly gone. The moment she spotted Alexander approaching, however, her energy surged back. She sniffled dramatically, her tears blending with the raindrops.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. He moved swiftly, shielding her with the umbrella while hauling her up with his free hand. His grip was firm, leaving no room for resistance.

"Alex," Victoria whimpered, collapsing into his arms. Seconds ago, she had been half-dead from exhaustion. Now, she clung to him like a lifeline, her damp face pressing against his chest.

Alexander exhaled sharply, irritation flickering in his gaze. "You know your health is fragile. Standing out here in the rain is reckless."

"Would you have come to see me otherwise?" Victoria’s voice trembled. "I just wanted to talk to you… Why are you avoiding me?"

Her tears fell harder, desperation flashing in her eyes. "Alex… do you not love me anymore? You’ve been so distant lately. Is this because of the incident with Evelyn? I know I was wrong. I’ll apologize to her—I’ll beg if I have to!"

"Don’t bother. I’m not angry anymore." His tone was icy. "You’ve seen me now. Go home. Once things settle, I’ll visit."

"Alex, please!" Victoria’s composure shattered. Her grip on him tightened as she slid slightly down his body. "My brother is about to be sentenced! Every lawyer in New York is terrified of the Vanderbilt Group’s influence. No one will take his case, no matter how much we offer! The Vanderbilts are ruthless—they won’t stop until we’re ruined! Please… if my brother goes to prison, my family is finished!"

Alexander’s expression remained unreadable. If he was heartless, his devotion to Victoria had been unwavering—a childhood promise kept for over two decades. He had hurt Evelyn, defied his family, all for her.

Yet if he was soft, he was also just. When the Sterlings broke the law, he hadn’t shielded them. His resolve was unshakable.

Now, he remembered the cruel words he’d thrown at Evelyn, mocking her family’s downfall. Regret twisted inside him, hardening his voice further. "Evelyn did nothing wrong. Your brother brought this on himself. I advised him to surrender—it would’ve lessened his sentence. As for the Sterling Group, it needs restructuring. No amount of money will save it if the leadership remains incompetent."

Victoria’s lips quivered. She had expected tears and pleas to sway him, as they always had. But this time, she was wrong. Alexander’s patience had limits. Cross them, and even she wasn’t exempt.

In the end, he pushed her into the car himself, ordering the driver to lock the doors. Only when the vehicle disappeared did his shoulders relax slightly.

He stood in the rain for a long time, Evelyn’s disappointed eyes haunting him. The ache in his chest was inescapable.

Back at the Sterling mansion, silence hung heavy.

Victoria’s parents took one look at her mud-streaked, ghostly appearance and didn’t ask about her state—only whether Alexander would help. Their desperation was palpable.

"Useless!" Mr. Sterling snarled, jabbing a finger at her. "All these years with Alexander, and what have you gained? Not a single asset, not even a foot in the Kingsley mansion! He doesn’t love you. You’re worthless!"

Victoria’s eyes burned. Her father had always despised her. She had clawed her way up, learning to manipulate, to play the game—all to prove herself.

Alexander had been her first target at eight. She hadn’t even liked him back then, but her aunt had urged her to practice on him.

Now, after everything, her father still saw her as a tool.

She wanted to scream. She didn’t care if her brother rotted in jail. If the Sterling Group collapsed, so be it.

"Enough!" Una Sterling snapped, pulling Victoria close. "If Alexander won’t help, what can she do? This is your fault! If you hadn’t spoiled that worthless son of yours—"

Mr. Sterling’s face darkened, but he held his tongue. His wife’s sister was married to a Vanderbilt. He couldn’t risk offending them.

"The priority now is damage control," Una hissed. "We need to secure Victoria’s marriage to Alexander. If necessary, we’ll force it. Once she’s his wife, the Kingsleys can’t abandon us!"

Victoria’s hand flew to her stomach. "Mother, you’re forgetting—"

Una’s gaze dropped to the faint stretch marks. Annoyance flickered. "If they’re still visible by the wedding, cover them with a tattoo."

Victoria recoiled. A tattoo? On her flawless skin?

Servants carried jewelry boxes downstairs.

"Madam, everything’s ready."

"Those are mine!" Victoria lunged for the most valuable one—a ruby pendant Alexander had commissioned from a famed Parisian designer.

"We’re selling them," Una said coldly.

"What? No!"

"The company needs funds. This jewelry, combined with mine, will buy us time. There’s a charity auction soon—we must attend to salvage our reputation. And Alexander’s grandfather’s birthday is coming. A gift from the auction might sway him."

Una’s voice softened slightly. "Once you’re Mrs. Kingsley, you’ll have more wealth than you can imagine. Think long-term."

Victoria hesitated—then handed over the box, her heart breaking.