Chapter 106

The truth struck Evelyn like lightning.

Now she understood why Alexander had stormed off that day.

When she had declared her feelings for him in front of everyone, he had believed her—wholeheartedly.

The realization that it had all been an act must have shattered him.

Not just anger.

Betrayal.

Disappointment so deep it left wounds.

Evelyn never expected fairy-tale love with Alexander. Their marriage had been a transaction, not a romance.

She had agreed to it for survival—a way to bury her past and find stability.

Alexander had simply been the right man at the right time.

She wanted peace between them.

But now?

She had to rethink everything.

At the very least, she refused to become another person who hurt him—like the Caldwells had.

Days passed.

Then the rumors began.

Whispers slithered through social circles, painting her as the desperate woman who had confessed her love—only to be coldly rejected by Alexander Whitmore.

The most popular version of the tale spread like wildfire: On a night when thunder roared and rain poured, Evelyn, feverish and trembling, orchestrated a "chance" meeting with Alexander. But the ruthless CEO didn’t spare her a single glance, striding past her without hesitation.

Rumor had it she collapsed onto the pavement afterward, sobbing uncontrollably, her heartbreak visible to anyone who dared look.

When Evelyn accidentally overheard Cassandra and Victoria gossiping about it in the break room, she nearly choked on her coffee.

Since when did I crumple to the ground in tears?

All she’d done was kneel to fix her damn shoelace!

Absurd.

Still… maybe this wasn’t entirely bad.

At least it reinforced the narrative that she was desperately chasing Alexander.

"Alexander, what the hell is going on between you and Evelyn?"

As the clock ticked toward the end of the workday, Lucas’s call came through. "I heard she publicly confessed to you—swore she’d be your woman? Aren’t you two already married? What kind of twisted game is this?"

The story had exploded across Titan Capital Group, turning into the juiciest office scandal in weeks.

The entire social elite was buzzing with anticipation.

All eyes were on Evelyn Carter, waiting for her inevitable humiliation. Wagers were being placed in hushed tones across high society gatherings.

The bets varied - how long would Evelyn maintain this charade? Would she last a week? A month?

Everyone agreed her public confession to Alexander was nothing but a desperate performance.

With Ethan Caldwell and Vanessa Hart's wedding looming, this was clearly Evelyn's pathetic attempt to salvage her dignity after being publicly scorned.

Yet no one believed this scheme would succeed. The odds of Alexander Whitmore accepting her advances? Absolute zero.

Alexander's stormy gaze drifted to the floor-to-ceiling windows as he mechanically twisted the cap onto his Montblanc pen.

"Still giving each other the silent treatment?" Lucas Bennett leaned against the mahogany desk, counting on his fingers. "It's been, what? Ten days now?"

Alexander's broad shoulders tensed as he swiveled his chair. "Last I checked, your argument with Claire lasted three weeks." His voice carried the chill of a winter storm.

Lucas muttered a colorful curse under his breath.

"Fine, fine," he conceded, raising his hands. "I get it - bad mood. But tonight's your birthday bash at Eclipse Lounge. No excuses - you're coming."

The grandfather clock in the corner ticked ominously as tension crackled between the two men.

Across town, Evelyn stared at her phone screen, Alexander's contact information glowing tauntingly. The weight of society's judgment pressed down on her shoulders like a physical force.

Somewhere in Kingsdom, a bookmaker adjusted the odds again. The numbers flashed cruelly on the digital display: 1000-1 against reconciliation.

The moment Alexander ended the call, he stepped out of his office, his gaze instinctively drifting toward Evelyn's workstation.

Empty.

Lately, Evelyn had been relentless in her attempts to win his favor. Some mornings, she'd surprise him with freshly brewed coffee and pastries. Other times, she'd casually drop by with a neatly packed lunch, always finding excuses to linger near him.

The entire Titan Capital Group knew about her infatuation.

Yet today, of all days, she was nowhere in sight.

Did she forget? Alexander frowned. It's my birthday. The perfect chance to make a grand gesture, and she's missing it.

He strode toward her desk and rapped his knuckles against the surface. "Where is she?"

The entire executive floor froze.

For weeks, Alexander had treated Evelyn like a ghost—ignoring her presence, avoiding eye contact, making it painfully clear he wanted nothing to do with her.

But now?

Now he was asking about her.

Every pair of eyes in the office widened in stunned disbelief.