Chapter 276

"Why? Why does Evelyn get everything handed to her without even trying?" Vanessa seethed under her breath, her manicured nails digging into her palms. "Ethan wants to divorce me for that country bumpkin, and now Alexander is completely obsessed with her! What does she have that I don't?"

The bitterness in Vanessa's chest burned like acid. "She doesn't deserve any of this!"

As Alexander turned to leave, Vanessa rushed after him, her designer heels clicking urgently against the marble floor.

"You claim her past doesn't matter," she called out, voice dripping with false concern. "But what if she continues her... indiscretions after marriage? Evelyn has been seeing someone else. Did you know that?"

Alexander froze, his broad shoulders tensing visibly. Slowly, he turned, his icy gaze making Vanessa's breath hitch.

Vanessa was certain Ethan's sudden divorce demand stemmed from Evelyn's manipulation. The scheming little gold-digger wanted both men wrapped around her finger. "Disgusting," she thought.

A dark chuckle escaped Alexander's lips. "Interesting. And who might this... lover be?"

Vanessa wasn't stupid enough to name Ethan directly. That would be like setting her own house on fire. Instead, she offered a calculated smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

If Ethan faced Alexander's wrath, Vanessa knew she'd be caught in the crossfire.

A calculating gleam flashed in Vanessa's eyes within seconds. "Have you heard of Damian Cross? He's the criminal who abducted me. Evelyn still keeps in touch with him! Don't take my word for it—investigate! I promise you'll uncover something explosive!"

"Damian Cross?"

An arctic chill radiated from Alexander, colder than the deepest winter storm.

Even standing beside him, Vanessa could feel the icy tendrils of his fury.

But as his expression darkened, a thrill of satisfaction coursed through her.

The thought of Evelyn's impending downfall curled Vanessa's lips into a smirk. "That's right! Damian Cross! He's Evelyn's secret lover!"

Alexander took a slow, deliberate step forward, his gaze like a predator emerging from the shadows—ruthless, unfeeling, and utterly terrifying.

Vanessa's blood turned to ice.

"Do you have a death wish?" Alexander's voice was lethally soft. "Do you even comprehend who Evelyn is, yet you dare spread such filth about her?"

Alexander's dominating aura made Vanessa retreat until her spine met the unyielding wall.

"I gave Evelyn my full trust the moment I married her. Secretly investigating her?" His voice dripped with disdain. "Do you think everyone operates like you—skulking in the shadows, weaving poison with that twisted mind of yours? I couldn’t care less who Damian Cross is!"

"Vanessa, you’ve only just married into the Whitmore family, so you might not understand how I operate." His smile was razor-sharp. "Ask Eleanor how I erased her husband from this family in mere days."

"And someone like you?" A dark amusement flickered in his gaze. "Crushing you would be easier than stepping on an insect. Test me again, and I’ll carve out that lying tongue myself."

A wave of primal terror crashed over Vanessa, her skin prickling with cold sweat.

Alexander, usually the epitome of controlled elegance, now resembled something carved from nightmares.

When he said "carve out her tongue," Vanessa caught the glint of something feral in his eyes—a predator savoring the hunt.

She knew the Whitmores feared him, but she’d never understood why—until now.

What had he done during those years at the border police academy to make them tremble at his name?

He was clearly no stranger to dealing with dangerous men.

A man like Alexander Whitmore had faced countless adversaries.

His methods were ruthless, his strategies flawless.

Vanessa Hart knew she was playing with fire.

One wrong move, and she'd be burned.

The thought sent a chill down her spine.

She had underestimated him before—never again.

His reputation wasn't built on empty threats.

Every rumor she'd heard about him was true.

He didn't just win battles—he destroyed his enemies.

And now, she had made herself his target.

Her fingers trembled as she clutched her phone.

She needed a plan.

A way out.

But escape wasn't an option anymore.

Not when he had already set his sights on her.

The game had changed.

And she was no longer the hunter.

She was the prey.