Chapter 131

Ethan Caldwell knew deep down that Evelyn Carter and Alexander Whitmore could never be together. Yet, watching Evelyn casually scroll through her phone with her back turned to him, a seed of doubt took root in his mind.

The fear that Evelyn might actually present some damning evidence gnawed at him. Gritting his teeth, he barked, "Someone, remove Evelyn from this room!"

He needed her gone—immediately. Sure, forcibly ejecting her might humiliate her, but at this point, he couldn’t care less about her dignity.

But the moment the command left his lips, the expected flurry of bodyguards didn’t materialize.

Confused murmurs rippled through the room as heads turned toward the doorway.

There stood Alexander, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette he’d just lit. His gaze was fixed on the floor, his expression unreadable.

The crisp white shirt he wore was half-tucked into dark jeans, the top buttons undone, revealing a hint of collarbone. A tailored black blazer hung carelessly over one shoulder, giving him an effortlessly dangerous edge—like a predator lounging in plain sight.

When he finally lifted his eyes to meet the room’s stunned silence, the air turned glacial.

No one dared move.

Not even Ethan.

"You want to banish my wife? Did anyone seek my approval?"

Alexander's icy declaration froze the entire ballroom into stunned silence.

The guests exchanged bewildered glances. First Evelyn loses her mind, and now Alexander?

He just called her his wife. Are they actually married?

The revelation hit like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone speechless.

To them, the idea of Alexander Whitmore and Evelyn Carter being married was as absurd as Titan Capital Group collapsing overnight—utterly unfathomable.

Disbelief hung thick in the air.

Alexander took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling tendrils of smoke that curled lazily before his piercing gaze.

Without breaking eye contact with the crowd, he crooked a finger at Evelyn.

She moved toward him without hesitation, her steps measured.

He caught her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers in a possessive grip.

Then, with deliberate slowness, Alexander led Evelyn deeper into the grand hall.

Each step they took echoed like a resounding slap across Ethan Caldwell’s face.

"This can't be happening! How could Evelyn marry Alexander? I refuse to believe this!"

Ethan Caldwell stormed forward, his voice shaking with rage as he shouted at their retreating figures. "It's impossible! Alexander, why would you marry her? Evelyn is just using you to get back at me!"

His desperate question hung in the air, sparking murmurs among the gathered crowd. "What does Alexander even see in her?" someone whispered.

"I married her because I wanted to. Do I need your permission?" Alexander turned slightly, his lips curling into a cold smirk that didn't reach his eyes.

The sheer disdain in his gaze sent a shiver down Ethan's spine, like an approaching storm darkening the horizon.

Ethan's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, veins protruding along the backs of his hands.

There was no denying it—Alexander had just confirmed their marriage outright.

The realization hit Ethan like a physical blow, leaving him reeling as if trapped in a waking nightmare.

Noticing Ethan's ashen face, Grace stepped forward hesitantly. "Alexander, did Evelyn force you into this? Is she blackmailing you? She was always obsessed with—"

Alexander's sharp glare cut her off mid-sentence, the unspoken warning in his eyes making Grace swallow her words.

The tension in the room thickened, suffocating.

Evelyn remained silent beside him, her expression unreadable, but the way Alexander's arm tightened around her waist spoke volumes.

This wasn't a game.

This was a declaration.

And Ethan had just lost.

Grace barely managed to utter half her sentence when Alexander’s icy stare silenced her. Her face drained of color, lips trembling as she swallowed the rest of her words.

Alexander’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Watch how you speak. You don’t get to call her Evelyn."

A stunned hush fell over the room.

Everyone exchanged glances, thoughts racing.

Since when does Alexander defend Evelyn? This isn’t like him at all.

The air thickened with unspoken questions.

Grace clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.

Alexander’s protectiveness was unexpected—unnerving, even.

And no one dared to challenge it.