Chapter 422

Alexander's gaze lingered on Evelyn's face. "During my time at the military academy, she was practically the unofficial medic."

With rigorous training and frequent field exercises, injuries were inevitable. That was how Alexander and Victoria Sinclair had crossed paths.

Their connection wasn’t deep, but they shared history—enough to be considered old acquaintances.

Evelyn caught on immediately.

Alexander had just returned from active duty, and Victoria had hurriedly established herself as a doctor in Cresthaven. Evelyn’s instincts had been right all along.

Victoria had come here for Alexander.

The realization hit Evelyn like a wave.

"Oh, so you were just colleagues!" Evelyn feigned innocence. "Dr. Sinclair is stunning. I thought maybe you had feelings for her back then."

Alexander tapped Evelyn’s nose teasingly. "Don’t make assumptions. Nothing like that ever happened."

"I can’t help it," Evelyn pouted. "Dr. Sinclair is brilliant, beautiful—everything a man could want."

Her wide, guileless eyes made Alexander chuckle.

But beneath the playful banter, Evelyn’s pulse quickened.

She wasn’t just joking.

The thought of Victoria Sinclair being anywhere near Alexander unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

The words trapped Victoria Sinclair perfectly, leaving her no room to maneuver.

Yet she couldn't even show her frustration—Evelyn Carter's remarks sounded like nothing but compliments, giving her no valid reason to retaliate.

If she reacted poorly, it would only confirm she had ulterior motives.

"Exactly," Victoria quickly agreed, following Alexander Whitmore's lead. "Mr. Whitmore and I are merely professional acquaintances. Ms. Carter, you shouldn't assume otherwise!"

"Oh." Evelyn nodded, her smile sweet but sharp as she corrected, "Then next time, you should address me as Mrs. Whitmore. After all, I am Alexander's wife."

Victoria was rendered speechless.

Was Evelyn marking her territory?

Hidden in the folds of her coat, Victoria's fingers curled into tight fists.

Once the prescription was handed over, Alexander and Evelyn left the examination room together.

Alexander studied Evelyn with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Mrs. Whitmore… are you, by any chance, jealous?"

He hadn’t missed the subtle tension between Evelyn and Victoria earlier.

He knew Evelyn well enough to recognize when she was staking her claim.

Evelyn sighed. Some people just loved to create drama out of thin air.

Alexander’s expression darkened. "Ms. Carter, I’m simply preventing your little flirtation from escalating."

Evelyn nodded. "Mr. Whitmore, I’m just trying to cut off your little romance before it blooms."

Alexander was stunned, immediately defending himself. "Aren’t you overreacting? Victoria and I are barely acquaintances. There’s nothing between us."

Before Evelyn could reply, their conversation was abruptly cut short.

A woman stormed toward them, her face twisted with fury.

It was Eleanor.

Without warning, she lunged at Evelyn, her hand raised to strike.

Alexander’s eyes widened in alarm as he swiftly pulled Evelyn behind him, shielding her with his body.

His voice was sharp, laced with anger. "Eleanor, what the hell do you think you’re doing?"

"My son is fighting for his life in surgery, and it’s all because of her!" Eleanor spat, her eyes blazing with hatred. "What do you think I’m doing? I’m making sure she pays for what she did to Ethan!"

Eleanor’s chest heaved with barely contained rage as she glared at Evelyn over Alexander’s shoulder.

"You damn troublemaker! If anything happens to my son, I swear I’ll destroy you!"

The news hit Evelyn like a lightning strike.

On her way to the hospital, she discovered that Ethan had been stabbed by a street thug.

The blade had sunk deep into his chest, and the mere thought of it made Evelyn's knees buckle.

As a mother, the sight of her son bleeding and unconscious was unbearable.

While the surgeons worked tirelessly to save Ethan's life, Evelyn paced the sterile hallway, her mind racing.

Then it clicked—Vanessa was behind this.

Her blood boiled.

Needing air, she stormed into the lobby—only to collide with Vanessa herself.

Evelyn lunged without hesitation.

"First, you nearly got him killed in that car crash years ago, and now this?" she seethed. "Vanessa, you’re a curse upon my son!"