Chapter 275

Alexander's lips curled into a chilling smirk at Vanessa's words. "Trying to manipulate me, Vanessa? Do you really think I'm as gullible as Ethan?"

Vanessa had expected his reaction. She tilted her head, feigning indifference. "Believe me or not, it doesn't change the truth. Evelyn has fooled everyone—even someone as sharp as you." Her voice dripped with mock pity. "You can't seriously believe you were her first."

She hesitated for effect, then delivered the final blow. "Evelyn had her hymen surgically restored."

Alexander's expression darkened, his gaze turning unreadable.

Vanessa couldn't tell how much he believed, but the flicker of doubt in his eyes was enough. "The man who slept with her is named Damian Cross. They were in on my kidnapping together." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Look into it if you don’t believe me. You’ll see—she was never innocent."

Her words were sharp, deliberate, laced with just enough detail to sound convincing.

To her surprise, Alexander suddenly laughed. He adjusted his watch with deliberate slowness. "And?" His tone was dangerously calm. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"

Vanessa froze in shock.

"I have her present and her future. Her past doesn't concern me—I wasn't part of it, so I won't interfere."

His voice was calm, unwavering.

"What does innocence even prove? Loyalty? To me, all that matters is that she's mine now. Nothing else."

Vanessa bit her lip, desperation creeping into her tone. "Evelyn approached you deliberately! She's using you for your influence! She just wants you to crush Ethan. How could a man like you tolerate being her pawn?"

Who was Alexander Whitmore?

A man like him would never accept being manipulated.

Vanessa couldn’t stand seeing Evelyn happy with him—not when Ethan had discarded her.

If she had to suffer, then Evelyn should too.

She wanted Alexander to despise Evelyn just as Ethan despised her. That way, they’d both be equally humiliated.

"Evelyn is cunning. Even if you don’t care about her past, her motives are impure. I can’t bear to watch her play you for a fool."

"Enough." Alexander lifted a hand, cutting her off. His gaze turned icy. "Vanessa, did you not hear a word I just said?"

Vanessa froze, her breath catching as Alexander's piercing gaze locked onto her.

"I'm nothing like Ethan Caldwell." His voice was ice-cold, dripping with disdain. "Your words mean nothing to me. And besides—" His lips curled into a mocking smile. "What makes you think I mind being Evelyn's pawn?"

Vanessa's entire body went rigid, her blood running cold.

Alexander regarded her with detached amusement, as if she were nothing more than an insignificant speck.

For a fleeting moment, something softened in his expression. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. "Someone like you could never understand the privilege of being used by the woman you love."

His voice was thick with devotion, his eyes glazed with adoration—completely, hopelessly consumed by thoughts of Evelyn.

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms. Has Alexander Whitmore lost his mind?

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, forgotten.

Vanessa bit down on her lip so hard she tasted blood. Her face paled, the bitter realization settling in like poison.