Chapter 152

Claire stared at him, her heart sinking.

Lucas ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Speculating like this won't solve anything. The baby is unharmed. You're unharmed. Dwelling on it only makes things worse. And Isabella—"

"Lucas, think before you speak!" Evelyn cut in sharply, her voice laced with warning.

She clenched her fists, thinking, This man is infuriating with his words.

"Claire is your wife," Evelyn continued, her tone icy. "Whose side are you even on? That woman doctored those photos to manipulate you and sabotage your marriage, yet you're still defending her. Have you lost your mind?"

She scoffed. "I thought anyone who could be friends with Alexander must have some sense. Clearly, I was wrong."

Her voice softened slightly, but the edge remained. "Have you even considered how Claire feels? She’s the one who was hurt, and instead of standing up for her, you're asking her to just get over it."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Do you think you're some kind of king who can have everything his way?"

Her eyes flashed with anger. "Why should she have to be the bigger person to excuse your hypocrisy? Claire owes you nothing."

Lucas Bennett, a well-known figure in Cresthaven, felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment as Evelyn Carter delivered her scathing remarks.

His eyes darted toward Alexander Whitmore. "Your wife is insulting me, and you're just going to stand there?"

Alexander met his gaze with icy indifference. "I agree with every word she said. If you can't even manage your own household, you have no business calling yourself my friend."

Lucas was stunned into silence.

Evelyn hadn't expected Alexander to openly back her up. Given the delicate nature of the situation, she thought he might remain neutral—but he had taken a firm stance without hesitation.

"You have two options," Alexander said, his piercing stare leaving no room for argument.

"Either make Isabella apologize, as Evelyn suggested, or consider our friendship over."

"Wait, Alexander, you can't be serious—"

Lucas tried to protest, but the dark look on Alexander's face silenced him instantly.

He knew their years of friendship weren't something Alexander would discard lightly.

More importantly, Lucas was fully aware that Claire Dawson had been deeply hurt by this entire ordeal.

The night air was thick with tension.

Claire's fury stemmed purely from her concern for their unborn child. Lucas wasn't truly defending Isabella—he simply wanted to avoid a public spectacle that would humiliate everyone involved.

"Isabella, apologize to Claire." Lucas's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Isabella hesitated, her lower lip trembling. Evelyn finally released her grip, stepping back with visible disgust.

The damage was clear—two bright red handprints marred Isabella's cheeks, accompanied by thin, angry scratches. Her usually perfect blonde hair was tangled, strands sticking to her tear-streaked face.

With a shaky breath, Isabella flicked her gaze toward Lucas before muttering, "Claire... whether you believe me or not, I didn’t mean it. But I’ll apologize because I don’t want Lucas stuck in the middle of this! I’m sorry!"

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. Even now, she’s still trying to twist her words?

Without hesitation, Evelyn delivered a sharp kick to the back of Isabella’s knees, sending her crashing to the floor.

"Think very carefully about what you say next," Evelyn hissed, looming over her. "‘Don’t want Lucas stuck in the middle’? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Mind your own business, you scheming little witch!"

Evelyn's sharp words cut through the air like a blade.

Isabella's face drained of color before flushing crimson with humiliation.

She hadn’t expected Evelyn to be so ruthless, not even bothering to maintain her composure in front of Lucas.

Doesn’t she care about how he sees her? Isabella thought bitterly. She’s acting like a wild animal!

But when Lucas made no move to defend her, Isabella’s stomach twisted with shame.

She clenched her fists, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. "Claire… I’m sorry."

Claire didn’t even glance her way, her expression icy.

Evelyn wasn’t finished.

"And those photos—you doctored them, didn’t you?" Her voice was dangerously calm. "You thought you could manipulate the situation, worm your way into his life while they were fighting?"

Isabella’s breath hitched.

She knows.

The realization sent a chill down her spine.

Evelyn leaned in, her gaze unrelenting.

"Did you really think no one would figure it out?"

Isabella swallowed hard, her pulse roaring in her ears.

She had no answer.

The silence stretched, thick with tension.

Then—

Lucas finally spoke.

His voice was quiet, but the disappointment in it cut deeper than any shout.

"Isabella."

Her stomach dropped.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Not at all.