Chapter 363

The corridor plunged into an eerie stillness.

Alexander watched as Isabella cradled Evelyn, her delicate frame nestled against him like a fragile bird seeking shelter. The sight drove a dagger through his heart, bringing an unexpected sting to his eyes.

In his absence, they'd grown alarmingly close.

The more Alexander dwelled on it, the more bitterness seeped into his veins. He lowered his gaze, refusing to look at Evelyn. The blue veins on his hands stood out starkly as they gripped the wheelchair's armrest.

"Evelyn, you just completed a major surgery. You're exhausted and need immediate rest."

Avery knew the Kingsley family stood nearby, but he didn't flinch. His entire focus remained on Evelyn, his gaze soft with concern. "I'll take you home."

"Grandfather Kingsley!"

Yet Evelyn ignored Avery's tender offer, her concern solely for Reginald. She knelt before him, taking his weathered hands in hers. "Grandfather Kingsley, why are you at the hospital? Are you unwell?"

Alexander pressed his lips together, bitterness coating his tongue.

She acted as though he, a grown man, were invisible—selectively blind.

Apparently only Avery existed in her world now.

"Child, I'm fine. Just an old heart condition acting up. Alexander insisted we come for a checkup." Reginald's expression remained fond when looking at Evelyn.

"Grandfather Kingsley, you mustn't neglect your health. Promise me you'll get regular checkups," Evelyn urged, concern evident in her voice.

"Evelyn, who is this gentleman?" Reginald's gaze shifted to Avery with a speculative gleam.

"Mr. Kingsley, I'm Avery Lockwood." Avery stepped forward with a polite bow.

"Ah, I remember now—from Margaret's birthday gala. Mr. Lockwood's youngest son." Reginald nodded approvingly. "A fine young man."

Despite his words, discomfort prickled at seeing Evelyn and Avery's closeness.

The atmosphere between the former couple crackled with tension, more strained than during their initial separation.

What could he do?

Just as Reginald prepared to pull Evelyn aside, a shrill voice shattered the silence.

"Grandfather Kingsley! How are you feeling?"

Evelyn looked up coldly to see Victoria, clad in a nightgown, rushing toward them. Two bodyguards trailed at a discreet distance. At the sight of Victoria, Reginald's lips thinned as he shot Alexander a pointed glance.

Alexander's expression darkened, his icy gaze landing on Victoria. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard Grandfather Kingsley was ill. I couldn't sleep, so I came without telling Mother."

Victoria's delicate face flushed, her curls disheveled. Her nightgown and slippers betrayed her haste and concern for Reginald's health.

"You must be Nathaniel's sister?" Reginald asked, an ambiguous glint in his eyes.

"Yes, I'm Victoria." Her hands twisted nervously, cheeks deepening to crimson.

Knowing this marked her first formal meeting with Reginald—and her impending entry into the Kingsley family—her attire now seemed woefully inappropriate.

"Just call me Victoria."

She bent forward earnestly. "Tonight, Alex and I will stay by your side. If you're hospitalized, I'll remain with you as long as needed!"

Alexander's frown deepened, his expression visibly darkening.

Evelyn caught his reaction. Unlike typical CEOs, Alexander wore displeasure openly. His business success stemmed from ruthless strategy, not emotional intelligence.

When they'd first married, he'd worn that same sour expression around her.

So—was he displeased with Victoria?

Evelyn averted her gaze, refusing him another glance.

After all, despite his current displeasure, he'd certainly been delighted knocking on Victoria's hotel door that night.

"Ms. Sterling, I've already been examined. It's minor, and I can leave now."

Reginald called Nathaniel affectionately by name but addressed Victoria formally as Ms. Sterling. His lack of warmth was palpable. "Ms. Sterling, if you stay at the hospital with me, it's as if you're hoping I won't be discharged."

His words held jest—but to Victoria, they struck like a slap.

Long ago, she'd heard Margaret complain about Reginald—how he couldn't distinguish friend from foe. He doted on Evelyn while neglecting his own granddaughter Margaret. Not only had he opposed Evelyn and Alexander's divorce, but he'd gifted Evelyn the family heirloom jade bracelet upon their separation!

Fortunately, Arabella had smashed it in a rage before leaving.

At least she'd accomplished one good deed.

"No, Grandfather Kingsley, that's not what I meant—" Flustered, Victoria turned pleading eyes to Alexander.

But Alexander ignored her silent signals completely.

"Ms. Sterling, I appreciate your concern, but Alexander and Ms. Sinclair are with me. That suffices. It's late, and unsafe for you to be out. Your bodyguards will escort you home." Reginald's tone remained mild, unwilling to make a scene with a young girl.

Yet Victoria's face paled with humiliation.

She'd been dismissed by this old man, with no offer from Alexander to see her home. The message was clear: leave as you came.

How dare they!

Once she officially joined the Kingsley family—once that old man was confined to a dementia nursing home—she'd bribe the staff to torment him, withholding meals and forcing him to drink bathwater!

"Evelyn, come here!" Reginald's expression shifted instantly, beckoning Evelyn with a grin while ignoring Victoria.

"Yes, Grandfather Kingsley."

Though resisting Alexander internally, Evelyn wouldn't upset Reginald. She moved toward him obediently.

Seeing this formidable woman take timid, delicate steps before her grandfather—presenting such vulnerability—yanked Alexander's thoughts back three years, to when she'd first become his wife.

Deep inside, something tender stirred silently.

Truthfully, he adored every version of her—but back then, he hadn't understood his own feelings, nor how to express them.

But what did it matter now?

Behind Alexander's profound gaze, his scrutinizing eyes held only distress and sorrow as they rested on Evelyn.

"Evelyn, come home with Alexander and me tonight. Stay at Kingsley Manor."

Reginald stroked Evelyn's hair gently. Fearing refusal, he added quickly, "The house is spacious—plenty of rooms. You can stay beside mine. Tomorrow, I'll have Alexander cook for you. Tonight, he'll prepare your foot bath! Rest for days while he does all the work!"

Alexander's lips pressed together, his brow twitching.

Preparing a foot bath? Fine.

But cooking?

"Grandfather Kingsley..." Evelyn hesitated, eyes flickering.

Just as she formed her reply, Avery stepped forward leisurely, an elegant smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Kingsley, I'm afraid Evelyn can't accompany you tonight."

"Why?" Reginald frowned.

Avery sighed deeply, his gaze warm with concern as it lingered on Evelyn's weary face. "Evelyn just performed major surgery for my brother today. She stood nearly ten hours. After the operation, she was completely drained—almost fainted."

"What?" Reginald started, leaning forward instantly.

Alexander stiffened, his heart clenching.

Unreasonable. Unbelievable. A tumult of emotions left his gaze perplexed.

She'd performed major surgery? No wonder she looked so exhausted—her complexion almost ill.

Alexander's jaw tightened, lips parting slightly.

He wanted to speak—but the words lodged in his throat.

What was he resisting? Hesitating over?

"So I'm taking Evelyn home now. My house is right behind hers—very convenient."

Avery's arm hovered near Evelyn's shoulder without touching her, demonstrating gentlemanly decorum before the Kingsleys. "Mr. Kingsley, I know you care for Evelyn. But she and Mr. Kingsley are divorced. Having her stay under the same roof with him—as an outsider, I find it inappropriate. If you truly care for Evelyn, consider her feelings."

The statement, neither humble nor pushy, remained calm—yet it ignited fury in Reginald's heart. Even Alexander's icy gaze burned with anger.

How dare he speak so audaciously!

Alexander's brows furrowed, poised to retort—when Evelyn interjected calmly, "Avery, Grandfather Kingsley is family. Everything he does is for my benefit. Such words are better left unsaid."

TL©´- TH

"My goodness, Mr. Kingsley! What a coincidence meeting you here!"

All turned to see Jeffrey approaching hastily with his secretary.

Evelyn couldn't help her surprise.

Truly a tycoon—just moments ago weeping over his son's condition, now chatting amiably and composed before rivals.

Understandable. The Kingsleys and Lockwoods had been business rivals for years. Jeffrey wouldn't show weakness before competitors.

"Jeffrey, I heard about your son's condition. Is everything alright?" Reginald asked with concern.

"Byron had a car accident. Initially, the prognosis wasn't promising—"

Jeffrey then looked gratefully at Evelyn. "But Evelyn saved him with her remarkable skills! Others may fail to appreciate Evelyn's worth, but to the Lockwoods, she's a treasure—someone we value deeply! Nathaniel and I are like brothers. Naturally, I treat Evelyn as my own daughter!"

The insinuation hung heavy in the air.

Jeffrey had long known Evelyn was divorced—her ex-husband being Alexander.

He'd previously voiced outrage, claiming she deserved better.

Marrying into the Kingsley family was bad enough—but wedding the illegitimate son? Even his own son Avery surpassed Alexander.

"Mr. Lockwood, are you thirsty? Let me take you for tea." Evelyn, uncomfortable, attempted to redirect.

But Jeffrey missed the hint entirely. "Evelyn, I'm not thirsty! I haven't finished praising you yet!"

Victoria seethed, teeth grinding.

Why did every elite in Elmsworth favor this wretch? Were other women extinct?

Alexander's frosty gaze rested on Evelyn, his heart aching as much as his eyes were cold.

"You seem fond of daughters. One isn't enough—you must acquire goddaughters too."

Reginald caught Jeffrey's jab. "I'm different. I want only one granddaughter-in-law. And only Evelyn will do."

Avery smiled, but his hand behind Evelyn's back clenched in hidden frustration.

Humiliation and shame washed over Victoria, tearing at her heart.

She regretted coming. She should've stayed home, letting her grandfather and mother scheme her way into the Kingsley family.

Every independent attempt ended in humiliation!

Jeffrey paused mid-sentence when Alexander's cold, clear voice cut through.

"Grandfather Kingsley, Ms. Sinclair and I divorced over half a year ago. Ms. Sinclair has chosen someone else. It's unfair to force her."

The hallway fell silent.

Evelyn's heart contracted sharply—but only momentarily. Her lips curled in resignation.

Why regret? This wasn't the first time Alexander had let her go.

All men's promises were false. What man could chase a woman forever? Love her eternally?

Not even Nathaniel, so principled, had managed it.

Never mind. Her tycoon father's love life was a joke.

"What nonsense are you spouting, boy!" Reginald glared at his grandson, teeth gritted.

Were they alone, he'd have slapped him.

"Seems Mr. Kingsley has moved on. If both parties have, isn't that the best outcome?" Avery asked lightly, a smile playing on his lips.