Chapter 420

Cradled in his embrace, Evelyn pressed herself against Alexander's chest, her playful gaze striking directly at his vulnerability.

Alexander suddenly understood—he was utterly powerless against Evelyn's charms.

Her voice was soft as she continued, "You have no idea how many schemes I had to devise just to break free from Ethan."

As she spoke, Evelyn stretched out her hand toward Alexander.

A fresh cut marred her palm, evidence of her desperate struggle.

Alexander's eyes darkened at the sight, a storm of fury brewing in their depths.

He seized her hand, his grip tightening protectively. "How did this happen? Did Ethan hurt you?"

Evelyn bit her lower lip, shaking her head. "No. I did it to escape. I slashed him with a broken piece of porcelain."

It had been a reckless gamble—hurting the enemy by hurting herself. She had wounded Ethan, but not without paying the price.

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I overheard Zachary calling Ethan, saying they'd set a trap for you. I was terrified something might happen, so I had to act fast—I attacked Ethan and stole his car keys."

Lifting her gaze, Evelyn met Alexander's eyes, her own filled with unspoken fear and determination.

She understood exactly why Alexander was furious.

This wasn't just about possessiveness.

The more enraged he became, the clearer it was—he cared deeply for her. Evelyn refused to let this incident drive a wedge between them.

Her words managed to ease some of the storm brewing in Alexander's heart.

Yet his expression remained unyielding.

"How can you be certain Ethan's little performance wasn't staged?" His voice was sharp. "A calculated move to manipulate your emotions? You embraced him—defended him—even told me not to lay a finger on him! You're shielding him!"

Evelyn hesitated before responding. "If Ethan hadn't stepped in front of that blade, it would've been me bleeding out. Given that, I can't let you retaliate against him."

The attack had been too sudden, too precise. Zachary's strike had been ruthless, leaving no room for hesitation.

In her mind, there was no way Ethan could have conspired with Zachary.

She had seen the dagger sink into Ethan's chest, mere inches from his heart. One wrong move, and he could've died right then.

Evelyn refused to believe he would gamble his life just to win her sympathy.

She had known Ethan since childhood. She understood him—or at least, she thought she did.

Though easily influenced by others' manipulations, his heart wasn't truly wicked.

Evelyn was more convinced that Zachary had been the one pulling Ethan's strings.

Otherwise, why would Ethan have turned on Zachary so swiftly, delivering that brutal kick that sent him crashing into the fake mountain, knocking him unconscious right after Zachary had tried to hurt her?

Ethan had played a crucial role in ensuring Zachary's capture.

Hearing Evelyn's unshakable faith in Ethan left a bitter taste in Alexander's mouth.

His expression darkened instantly.

No man wanted his wife to have such a long-standing childhood friend—especially one who still held her trust so completely, even in moments of crisis.

Evelyn sighed.

She recognized that look on Alexander's face—he was jumping to conclusions again.

She met his gaze, her eyes a mix of exasperation and patience.

"Alexander, Ethan and I are in the past. There's nothing left between us. This whole kidnapping was just a twisted coincidence."

Evelyn meant every single word with complete sincerity.

To her, Ethan Caldwell was nothing more than a closed