Chapter 102

The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. Alexander couldn't decipher Evelyn's intentions, so he chose to remain quiet for now.

Her bold words sent an unexpected jolt through his chest.

To the onlookers, he appeared as nothing more than an icy, unapproachable executive. His rigid posture and stormy expression suggested a man pushed beyond patience by an irritating woman.

The medical bay became a tomb of silence. No one dared breathe too loudly, let alone speak.

They were all convinced Evelyn had signed her own termination papers by daring to flirt with Alexander Whitmore.

The Titan Capital Group had never witnessed any scandal involving him. Female employees maintained a careful three-foot radius at all times.

There were even whispers that he and Simon Graves were more than just business partners. Their constant companionship and shared hotel rooms during conferences fueled endless speculation.

Then his phone vibrated.

Alexander shot Evelyn one last inscrutable look before striding out, the device pressed to his ear.

The moment the door clicked shut, the room erupted into frenzied chatter.

The office erupted into chaos.

Natalie Brooks stood frozen nearby, her eyes wide with shock and admiration as she stared at Evelyn Carter.

"I thought we were just coworkers, but you're aiming to become the boss's wife!"

"When you marry Mr. Whitmore, can you put in a good word for me? A promotion and a raise would be nice!"

Within minutes, messages flooded the company’s group chats across every department.

[Evelyn has lost it. She stole Alexander Whitmore’s first kiss and announced her feelings for him in front of everyone, declaring she wants to be his woman.]

Some scoffed, saying she was delusional—thinking she could win his heart just by fainting in his arms.

Others sneered that she was shameless, using tricks to seduce her way into wealth.

Most of the comments were scathing.

Evelyn didn’t care.

Her fever still burned, so she spent the entire day resting in the infirmary.

The gossip spread like wildfire. The Hayes household descended into chaos, bombarding Evelyn's phone with half a dozen frantic calls in rapid succession.

She ignored every single one.

Just as the workday ended, Ethan Caldwell - supposedly away on business - materialized in the hospital room unannounced.

Flanking him were Vanessa Hart and Ryan Fletcher, their expressions dripping with malicious curiosity.

"What the hell is this? The moment I'm gone, you set your sights on Alexander Whitmore?" Ethan's voice cracked with barely contained rage.

He'd seen the damning evidence in the company group chat during lunch - the images burning into his retinas.

"Ethan, you're being ridiculous! I'm standing right here," Ryan snapped, dragging a chair across the floor with unnecessary force.

But Ethan wasn't listening.

The mental image consumed him - Evelyn gripping Alexander's collar, pressing her lips to his in front of everyone. That bold declaration of marriage. The way she'd initiated it all without hesitation.

The photos circulating through Horizon Enterprises' internal channels left no room for doubt. His former fiancée had made the first move.

It was unfathomable.

Absolutely insane.

For months after Ethan and Vanessa announced their engagement, Evelyn remained silent.

The entire social circle assumed she had finally accepted defeat.

But then, just days before the wedding, Evelyn shocked everyone by publicly confessing her feelings for Alexander.

Ethan was livid. The whispers and mocking glances from their peers burned his pride.

As Evelyn rose from the bed, he grabbed her wrist. "Have you lost your mind? This is between us. Why drag Alexander into it?"

Her cold stare cut through him. "It's not your concern. He saved me. I fell for him the moment I saw him. Do I need your permission to love someone?"

"Love at first sight?" His grip tightened. "I get that you're bitter about Vanessa and me, but humiliating yourself like this? Have you no shame?"

Evelyn yanked her arm free. "The only one humiliated here is you. What we had is over. I don’t care who you marry, and who I choose is none of your business."

"Do you even hear what they’re saying about you?" His voice dropped to a furious whisper. "They call you a gold-digger, a disgrace. Does that not bother you? You didn’t have to go this far just to spite me. Why drag an innocent man like Alexander into your mess?"

"Alexander?"

Vanessa chimed in sharply, "Exactly, Evelyn. Have you lost all sense of dignity? Mom and Dad just called. They're mortified and demand you come home tonight."

Evelyn let out a bitter laugh.

"Mortified? All I did was confess my feelings to Alexander, and suddenly everyone acts like I’ve committed a crime. I haven’t even done anything yet."

Her gaze hardened as she turned to Vanessa.

"And you dare call me shameful? Weren’t you the one who stole your own sister’s fiancé?"

The tension in the room thickened, the air crackling with unspoken accusations. Vanessa’s face flushed crimson, her fingers tightening around her clutch.

Evelyn didn’t back down.

She tilted her chin up, defiance burning in her eyes.

"If anyone should be ashamed, Vanessa, it’s you."

A sharp inhale.

Then silence.

Vanessa’s lips pressed into a thin line, her usual composure slipping.

Evelyn turned away, her heart pounding.

She had crossed a line.

But she didn’t regret it.

Not one bit.