Chapter 126

Evelyn sensed Claire's unease and tilted her head. "So this sudden concern for Claire... is it because she's carrying your child?"

Her questions grew sharper with each word, like a knife peeling back layers of deception. She needed to force the truth out—for Claire's sake.

Pregnancy changed everything. If Lucas could truly reform, that would be ideal.

But if he only saw Claire as a vessel for his heir? Then she'd walk away now, before the damage became irreversible.

Women always bore the heavier burden when it came to childbirth. Evelyn wouldn't let her best friend become collateral damage.

"Claire isn't just some incubator to me," Lucas finally said after a weighted pause.

Evelyn glanced at Claire, who exhaled shakily, shoulders relaxing.

The call ended. A quiet smile bloomed on Claire's face, bright enough to rival the morning sun.

That lightness carried her through the night and into dawn.

Claire had always been gifted with cosmetics. Today, her fingers worked deftly through Evelyn's hair, weaving an elegant updo.

They were preparing for Evelyn's visit to Whitmore Manor—a meeting with the family that would decide everything.

The sun cast golden rays through the windows as Claire meticulously styled Evelyn’s cascading hair into soft, elegant waves.

"Every angle has to be perfect," Claire murmured, stepping back to admire her work.

Evelyn studied her reflection—her cheeks slightly fuller now, her beauty radiant.

"I wish I could go with you," Claire sighed, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Just imagining Vanessa’s expression when she sees you—priceless."

Evelyn smirked. "You’re terrible."

"Have one of the maids record it secretly," Claire suggested, grinning. "I’ll share it in the group chat. Everyone deserves to witness this moment."

Evelyn laughed before pulling out her phone to call Alexander.

He answered after the second ring, his voice tense. "I’m dealing with something urgent. I might be late. Can you take a cab to Whitmore Manor first?"

"Of course," Evelyn replied, about to hang up when he suddenly asked, "Did you pack your bags?"

She paused. "What?"

"Mrs. Whitmore," Alexander said, his tone shifting into something deliberate, "if we’re making our relationship public now, we should do it properly."

The words sent a thrill through her.

She hadn’t expected this.

But she was ready.

"Are you finally considering moving out of that tiny studio apartment of yours?" Alexander's voice carried through the speakerphone, laced with amusement.

Evelyn glanced around her cozy space, defensive. "My place is perfectly fine. Not tiny at all!"

Since Evelyn had the call on speaker, Claire caught every word. She collapsed onto the bed in peals of laughter, clutching her stomach.

After ending the call, Claire wiped tears from her eyes. "Alexander just discovered paradise, and you've been making him wait for days. You're being cruel on purpose, aren't you?"

"Am I?"

A flush crept up Evelyn's neck as she remembered how close they'd come to losing control in his car that night.

Her pulse quickened at the memory.

"Oh stop blushing," Claire teased, springing up. "Let's get you packed. You're moving into Whitmore Manor tonight. Someone needs to keep our poor Alexander properly fed, hmm?"

Evelyn covered her burning cheeks with her hands.

Whitmore Manor stood in Cresthaven's most exclusive gated community, where hundred-million-dollar estates sprawled across manicured hills.

The deeper into the compound one went, the more serene the atmosphere became - a silent testament to the residents' status.

The winding driveway alone felt like a journey into another world, with ancient oaks forming a cathedral-like canopy overhead. Security gates discreetly tucked between hedgerows marked each property boundary.

Claire whistled as they pulled up to the main house. "Damn, Evelyn. You hit the jackpot with this one."

The contemporary mansion rose before them, all glass and steel, yet softened by cascading gardens. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered glimpses of curated modern art pieces inside.

Evelyn's fingers trembled on her luggage handle. This wasn't just moving in with Alexander. This was stepping into his world - a world of power, privilege, and expectations.

A shadow moved behind the glass doors. Then they swung open, revealing Alexander leaning against the frame, his hungry gaze locking onto Evelyn.

"Took you long enough," he murmured, the heat in his voice making her knees weak.

Claire gave Evelyn a not-so-subtle push forward. "Go feed your man, sweetheart. Before he starves to death."

The door clicked shut behind Evelyn with finality. There would be no escaping tonight.

The gated community had layers of security, with armed guards checking every vehicle that passed through its wrought-iron gates. Only those with exclusive access permits could enter.

Among the parade of sleek Bentleys and polished Rolls-Royces, Evelyn’s yellow taxi stuck out like a sore thumb.

Yet, to everyone’s shock, the cab breezed through without so much as a second glance from security.

Whispers erupted among the onlookers.

How?

Who was she?

The sight of that ordinary taxi gliding past the elite sent ripples of disbelief through the crowd.