Chapter 412

By the time Alexander reached the instrument section, Evelyn had already been escorted out of the mall by security.

All he found was Ethan Caldwell standing there, waiting.

Alexander had no patience left for Ethan’s games. He strode forward and seized Ethan by the collar, slamming him against the nearest display.

"Where is she?" Alexander demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Ethan feigned confusion, his lips curling into an innocent smile. "Uncle Alexander, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Alexander didn’t hesitate. His fist connected with Ethan’s jaw, snapping his head to the side.

A thin trail of blood trickled from the corner of Ethan’s mouth. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, his eyes glinting with amusement rather than fear.

"Still playing dumb?" Alexander growled. "Do you have a death wish?"

Ethan licked the blood from his lips, his smirk widening. "You think threats scare me?"

Alexander tightened his grip. "Your father was exiled. Do you want the same fate? Or worse?"

Ethan’s laughter was cold. "I’m not my father." His gaze turned sharp, calculating. "And I don’t lose."

The air between them crackled with tension.

Alexander leaned in, his voice a lethal whisper. "Then you’ve just made your last mistake."

Ethan's words confirmed one thing—Evelyn was in his control.

Alexander's lips curled into a cold smirk. "You think stealing her phone and sending me messages will fool me? If you're so confident, let her face me herself."

"Why not?" Ethan met Alexander's piercing gaze without flinching. "Uncle Alexander, tomorrow at 2 PM, Evelyn and I will be waiting for you at the Willowbrook Estate."

He took a deliberate step back, smoothing the wrinkles Alexander had left on his collar.

With a mocking smile, Ethan turned and walked away, leaving Alexander standing there, his eyes burning with intensity.

This was a direct challenge.

Alexander pulled out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly.

"Find the exact location of Ethan's Willowbrook Estate. Clear my schedule for tomorrow."

Evelyn never expected to be forcibly taken from the mall by a group of armed men.

It took her a moment to realize—Alexander must be coming for her. That was why Ethan was acting so desperate.

But the bodyguards surrounded her tightly, leaving no chance for escape.

Evelyn was shoved unceremoniously into the car, her protests muffled by a gloved hand clamped over her mouth.

When Ethan slid in beside her, she wrenched free and struck him across the face with a resounding slap.

The bodyguards, who had barely released her, immediately restrained her again.

Ethan's expression darkened. "Release her."

The moment her arms were free, Evelyn swung again, aiming for his cheek.

"You arrogant bastard!" she seethed, raining blows on his chest. "I'm not some doll you can drag around! You said I wasn't your pet—so what the hell is this?"

Ethan remained silent.

He dodged her next strike effortlessly, knowing full well how deeply he'd wounded her pride.

The urge to pull her into his arms was overwhelming, but her fury was a living thing between them.

"Evelyn," he murmured, voice rough with regret. "I couldn't risk losing you."

The pretense shattered.

She shoved him away with all her strength and turned to stare resolutely out the window for the remainder of the drive.

As the car turned onto the familiar road leading to Whitmore Manor, Evelyn's stomach twisted. Had she really—