Chapter 394

"It seems Mrs. Caldwell intended to surprise you at dawn."

Simon exhaled heavily. "Mrs. Caldwell truly cherishes you. You ignored her call for just one day, yet she couldn't bear waiting any longer."

Alexander's chest tightened with conflicting emotions.

Regret clawed at him.

What had possessed me that day?

He had ignored Evelyn's call for an entire day.

Why had I been so stubborn?

Did I disappoint her?

Did I break her heart?

The ache to see Evelyn surged through him like wildfire.

He couldn't stand another second apart.

Alexander needed to pull her into his arms, to breathe in her familiar lavender scent, to press his lips to hers and whisper his apologies.

He would tell her how much he loved her.

How foolish he'd been.

How he'd never let his pride come between them again.

Never again would he risk losing her.

Alexander's expression darkened with resolve as he—

Alexander Whitmore glanced at Simon Graves. "Get a car ready for me too. I'll be following Ethan Caldwell personally later."

Simon gave a firm nod.

With over a decade in the police academy, Alexander's training wasn't just about physical endurance—it included advanced tracking techniques.

He had absolute confidence in his skills.

Back in his academy days, he had always outperformed his peers in every mission.

Countless criminals had fallen into his hands. Tracking Ethan would be child's play.

Eleanor wasn't home—likely out playing mahjong with her friends.

Vanessa Hart, on the other hand, was staying at Whitmore Manor, resting due to her pregnancy. She had grown noticeably less active lately, her figure softening.

The reason? The food was too indulgent.

Eleanor, paranoid about Vanessa's well-being, had forbidden her from leaving the estate. These days, Vanessa's only outings were short strolls through the garden.

Ethan's sudden arrival caught Vanessa completely off guard.

After all, unless it was a holiday, Ethan never visited voluntarily—let alone unannounced.

The air thickened with tension as Vanessa's fingers tightened around the edge of her chair.

She hadn't expected him to show up now.

Not when she had so much to hide.

Vanessa knew with absolute certainty that Ethan despised her.

It wasn't merely because of that infamous violin incident years ago when she'd deceived him.

More damning was Valentine's Day, when she'd orchestrated the perfect scene - painting herself as the victim while shoving Ethan into the icy lake with her own hands.

Ethan couldn't swim. That single act had shattered any possibility of reconciliation between them.

There was no love in Ethan's heart for her. Not even basic tolerance remained, let alone belief in her carefully crafted lies.

When Vanessa spotted Ethan approaching, her breath hitched for three full seconds.

She forced her lips into a practiced smile, stepping forward with outstretched arms. "Ethan darling! Did you come to see me? Have you missed me?"

Before he could respond, Vanessa seized his hand possessively.

Then she froze.

The distinct aroma of women's perfume clung to his clothes.

Though faint, the floral notes were unmistakably feminine.

This was impossible. Ethan had severe mysophobia and avoided nightclub women like the plague.

Her grip tightened unconsciously as her mind raced. Who had been close enough to leave their scent on him? The implications made her stomach churn.

Vanessa's smile turned brittle as she inhaled again, confirming the betrayal lingering on his tailored suit. The fragrance was expensive, sophisticated - not some cheap bar girl's perfume.

Her nails dug into his palm as dark realization dawned. Someone had breached Ethan's notorious personal space. Someone he'd allowed close enough to leave their mark.

And that someone wasn't her.

The Eclipse Lounge pulsed with energy as Alexander's friends lounged with their dates draped over them. Yet the space beside Alexander remained conspicuously empty, as always.

Vanessa had always admired his self-control. It was one of the qualities that first drew her to him.

But tonight was different.

The moment Alexander stepped through the door, an unfamiliar floral fragrance clung to him like a second skin. The scent was delicate yet unmistakable - expensive French perfume.

Vanessa's nails dug into her palms. Everyone knew Alexander only had eyes for Evelyn.

Her mind raced with possibilities.

"Did they finally reconcile?"

"Was this Evelyn's perfume lingering on his clothes?"

The questions burned through her like acid.

Vanessa watched as Alexander absently touched his collar, his fingers brushing against where the scent seemed strongest. A ghost of a smile played on his lips before he schooled his features back into their usual impassive mask.

She'd never seen him like this before.

The realization hit her like a physical blow - something had changed between them. Something fundamental.

Vanessa's champagne flute trembled in her hand as she fought to maintain her composure. The bitter taste of betrayal coated her tongue, though she couldn't say for certain what exactly had been betrayed.

All she knew was that the man standing before her wasn't the same Alexander Whitmore she thought she understood.

And that terrified her more than anything.