Chapter 193

Alexander slipped one hand into his pocket, his expression unreadable. "What should I do?" he murmured, more to himself than to the others.

Vanessa and Ethan exchanged confused glances.

With deliberate slowness, Alexander plucked a cigarette from his coat and placed it between his lips.

The flick of his lighter cast a ghostly blue glow across his sharp features. The flame illuminated the cool detachment in his eyes.

"From what you're saying, Evelyn's character does seem... questionable," Alexander remarked, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.

The tip of the cigarette burned crimson in the dim light. Shadows curled around him, making his expression impossible to decipher.

Vanessa's lips curled into a triumphant smile at his words.

"Exactly, Uncle Alexander! A woman who abandons her own family is heartless. She’ll only bring you misery in the long run," she declared, her voice dripping with false concern.

Ethan shot her a sideways glance.

Tonight, he hadn’t agreed with many of Evelyn’s choices. But Vanessa’s relentless attacks left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Besides, he had watched Evelyn closely all evening. There were moments—fleeting, but undeniable—when her composure cracked.

The luxury sedan's soundproofing was impeccable. Evelyn could only observe the tense exchange unfolding below through the tinted windows, the voices muffled into silence.

Alexander's piercing blue eyes locked onto Vanessa with glacial intensity. The air around him seemed to freeze, his expression colder than the depths of winter.

"Heartless and ungrateful? Perhaps." His voice was dangerously calm. "But that’s exactly why I love her."

Ethan and Vanessa both stiffened, shock flashing across their faces.

What the hell?

Has Alexander completely lost his mind? What kind of twisted logic is that?

A humorless smirk curled Alexander’s lips as he plucked the cigarette from between them. He flicked it to the pavement, grinding it beneath the heel of his polished shoe.

"Uncle Alexander?" Vanessa’s voice wavered, her wide eyes darting between him and Ethan.

Ethan’s confusion was palpable, his brow furrowing as he tried to process Alexander’s words.

Then—without warning—Alexander’s fist collided with Ethan’s jaw.

The impact was brutal. Ethan staggered back, his head snapping to the side. A split second later, blood welled from his split lip, the metallic tang flooding his mouth.

Vanessa gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth.

Ethan barely had time to register the pain before Alexander grabbed him by the collar, yanking him forward until they were nose to nose.

"You think you can touch what’s mine?" Alexander’s voice was a lethal whisper. "You’re even more delusional than I thought."

Ethan’s pulse roared in his ears. He opened his mouth to retort—

But Alexander wasn’t done.

His knee drove upward, slamming into Ethan’s gut with enough force to knock the air from his lungs. Ethan doubled over, coughing violently.

Vanessa shrieked, stumbling back. "Stop! You’re insane!"

Alexander didn’t spare her a glance. His focus remained solely on Ethan, his expression devoid of mercy.

Inside the car, Evelyn’s fingers dug into the leather seat. Her breath hitched as she watched the scene unfold, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She had never seen Alexander like this.

Unhinged.

Reckless.

Dangerous.

And it terrified her—because part of her thrilled at the sight.

The rain poured relentlessly, painting the night in shades of silver and shadow.

"Uncle Alexander! Why did you hit him?" Vanessa's voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes wide as she clutched Ethan's arm.

Alexander flexed his knuckles, a dark smirk playing on his lips. "She's cruel and ungrateful, and I'm impulsive. Don't we make the perfect pair?" His laughter was low, almost mocking.

Then he turned, his expression softening as his gaze landed on Evelyn inside the car. The warmth in his eyes was unmistakable.

Evelyn couldn't hear their conversation through the storm, but when she saw Alexander's smile, she instinctively returned it, her heart fluttering despite the tension outside.

Ethan's jaw clenched, his face throbbing where Alexander's fist had connected. Beside him, Vanessa's fingers dug into his sleeve, her lips pressed into a thin line.

The sight of Alexander looking at Evelyn with such tenderness sent a sharp pang of frustration through Ethan. He barely registered the pain in his cheek anymore.

Alexander's voice cut through the rain, cold and unyielding. "Ethan, consider this your only warning. Control your woman. Spinning lies won’t work on me."

His meaning was clear—he didn’t believe a single word Vanessa had said.

Not one.

Vanessa paled, her grip on Ethan tightening. She knew the truth—Alexander had wanted to strike her, but he’d settled for Ethan instead.

Because Alexander Whitmore didn’t hit women.

Even ones who deserved it.

She had pulled Ethan into this mess.

Alexander's piercing gaze bore into her with an intensity that made the air feel thick.

Vanessa had just stumbled into a freezing puddle, her clothes soaked through. But the chill in her bones was nothing compared to the icy dread creeping through her under Alexander's unrelenting stare.

"U-Uncle Alex... why are you looking at me like that?" Vanessa stammered, her voice trembling.

The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating.

Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms.

She had miscalculated. Badly.

Alexander took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable.

Vanessa instinctively took a step back, her breath hitching.

The tension crackled like static in the air.

She had thought she could manipulate the situation.

She had been wrong.

And now, she was trapped.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

One wrong move, and everything would shatter.

Alexander's lips parted—

Just as a sharp knock echoed through the room.

Vanessa flinched.

The door swung open.

Nathan stood there, his expression grim.

"Sir," he said, his voice tight. "We have a problem."

Alexander didn't look away from Vanessa.

But the corner of his mouth twitched.

And that small movement sent a fresh wave of terror through her.

Because she knew—

Whatever came next would be far worse than she had imagined.