Chapter 237
Alexander chuckled darkly.
A memory surfaced—how Evelyn had boldly confessed her pursuit of him publicly, all to shield his reputation from whispers that he paled in comparison to Ethan.
Ironically, that very act now became his sharpest weapon against Ethan.
"Ethan, wake up." Alexander's voice dripped with icy amusement. "A decent ex knows when to vanish. Or are you planning to cling to my wife like a pathetic shadow, ethics be damned? Even if you lack dignity, do you really think the Caldwells would tolerate such disgrace?"
Ethan's knuckles whitened, fists trembling.
Every word struck like a blade, leaving him gutted. Speechless.
Alexander wasn’t wrong. The Caldwell name carried weight—scandals like this would never be permitted.
It was over.
Ethan had backed himself into a corner, stripped of any right to challenge Alexander again.
The realization tasted like ash.
Why did Alexander marry Evelyn? How could this possibly happen?
Alexander shot Ethan a piercing look, his eyes like shards of glacial ice.
"Ethan, this is your final warning. Cross me again, and I won't hesitate to destroy you."
The ocean wind cut through the night, sharp and biting.
Ethan felt his breath leave him, as if an unseen force had wrapped around his throat.
He stood frozen on the shore, watching Alexander stride away without a backward glance.
It took him too long to regain his composure.
When he finally moved, his steps were leaden.
Grief and fury twisted inside him.
He despised the ocean.
He vowed never to set foot near the sea again.
That same night, he booked a flight back to Cresthaven.
The Eclipse Lounge swallowed him whole, where he drowned himself in liquor like a hollow shell.
Meanwhile, Alexander returned to the penthouse suite.
The sound of the door stirred Evelyn awake.
She padded toward the entrance in her silk pajamas, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
At the grand entrance, Alexander suddenly pulled Evelyn close, his strong arms encircling her slender waist. Without warning, he captured her lips in a searing kiss that left her breathless.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Alexander deepened the embrace, one hand cradling the back of her head possessively. The intensity in his gaze burned like fire, as if he wanted to merge her very soul with his.
Evelyn's pulse raced. She tilted her head up, searching his face. "Alexander... what's gotten into you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
A dangerous smile curved his lips as he leaned in closer.
His warm breath ghosted over her ear when he murmured, "You're utterly irresistible tonight, Mrs. Whitmore."
A shiver ran down her spine at his words, her heart fluttering wildly like a trapped bird.
With deliberate slowness, Alexander tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. The tender gesture contrasted sharply with the steel in his voice. "My nephew actually had the audacity to challenge me over you."
Evelyn froze.
Ethan?
So she hadn't imagined it earlier.
On the crowded beach, amidst the dazzling fireworks...
The world around Evelyn Carter blurred as Alexander Whitmore’s voice cut through the haze of her thoughts.
She could hear Ethan Caldwell’s distant cries.
Was he in distress?
Alexander’s hands burned against her skin, trailing down her spine with deliberate slowness, snapping her back to reality.
He turned, pressing his lips to the curve of her neck in a teasing kiss. His voice was rough, laced with possessive amusement. "Mrs. Whitmore, how dare you let your mind wander to another man when I’m right here?"
As if to punish her, his tongue flicked over the sensitive spot beneath her ear, drawing a shudder from her.
Evelyn trembled, overwhelmed by the intensity of his touch.
Cradling her face in his hands, he pressed his forehead to hers, his gaze dark with unspoken demand. "Can’t you tell I’m jealous?" His thumb brushed her lower lip. "Don’t I deserve your full attention?"