Chapter 423

Evelyn's entire body trembled with barely contained rage, her emerald eyes flashing like wildfire as she launched herself at Vanessa, fists flying with reckless abandon.

Alexander moved with lightning reflexes, positioning his broad frame between the two women, effortlessly blocking Evelyn's assault with his towering height.

"Evelyn, control yourself! This is a hospital, for Christ's sake!" Alexander's voice cut through the chaos like a whip, sharp and commanding.

"To hell with your hospital! My son nearly died today, and you're worried about propriety?" Evelyn spat back, her chest heaving with each ragged breath.

The hallway had become a spectacle, nurses and patients alike pausing to gawk at the unfolding drama, whispers spreading like wildfire.

Vanessa stepped out from Alexander's protective shadow, her icy gaze locking onto Evelyn.

"You keep screaming about what happened to Ethan," Vanessa said, her voice dripping with venom, "but somehow fail to mention how he kidnapped me and locked me away like some prized possession. Care to explain that little detail?"

"Lies! Ethan would never—" Evelyn's denial died on her lips as doubt flickered across her face.

"Why don't you ask him yourself when he wakes up?" Vanessa challenged, crossing her arms.

Evelyn froze, the color draining from her face.

The possibility struck her like a physical blow.

Had Ethan really done something so monstrous?

Now that she thought about it, his behavior had been erratic lately.

She'd called him repeatedly, only to be met with vague excuses and abrupt dismissals. When she'd finally cornered him into answering once, inviting him to Whitmore Manor for dinner, he'd brushed her off with some flimsy excuse about work commitments.

Except he hadn't been working.

The real kicker? His usual entourage hadn't seen him in weeks. It was like he'd vanished into thin air, leaving no trail behind.

If Vanessa's accusation was true... it would explain everything.

Evelyn's righteous fury evaporated, replaced by creeping dread.

If Vanessa wasn't lying... then she'd been attacking the wrong person this whole time.

Alexander seized the moment. "Since we're airing grievances, let's discuss what kind of upbringing produces a man who thinks kidnapping is acceptable behavior. You know damn well what this scandal would do to the Caldwell name if it went public."

He hadn't even begun to deal with Ethan yet. If this got out, Ethan wouldn't just lose his position—he'd be lucky to avoid prison.

Evelyn's mouth snapped shut, her earlier bravado crumbling into stunned silence. The matriarch who'd stormed in like a hurricane now stood subdued, the weight of potential disgrace pressing down on her shoulders.

A tense silence stretched between them before she finally broke it. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Ethan is still unconscious. You can't just throw around accusations without proof. We'll discuss this when he wakes up!"

Without another word, Eleanor spun on her heel and marched away, her heels clicking sharply against the hospital floor.

Ethan's surgery dragged on late into the night, leaving him in a deep, unnatural slumber afterward.

It wasn't until the next morning that he finally stirred, his eyelids fluttering weakly as consciousness slowly returned.

By then, the hospital room was packed to the brim with members of the Caldwell family, all having rushed over from various branches of the family tree.

Most patients wake within hours after surgery, but Ethan's prolonged unconsciousness had everyone on edge.

Eleanor was frantic, running between the hospital and Whitmore Manor, spinning the story to her advantage. She even managed to drag Harold into the mess—a man who usually stayed far removed from family drama.

The Caldwells weren't about to let Harold's personal visit to the hospital go unanswered.

The moment Ethan's eyes cracked open, Vanessa lunged forward, her voice thick with fake concern.

"Ethan!" she cried, clutching his hand. "I've been sick with worry all night! How could you be so reckless, throwing yourself in harm's way for Evelyn? And her—she's utterly selfish! Did she shove you in front of those men to save herself?"

Her words held two devastating truths.

First, Ethan had been with Evelyn when it happened.

Second, Evelyn was somehow involved in Ethan getting stabbed.

The realization hit me like a physical blow. My fingers tightened around the edge of the hospital chair, knuckles turning white.

Across from me, Vanessa’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. She had always enjoyed delivering bad news, especially when it involved Evelyn.

“You didn’t know?” she asked, feigning innocence.

I didn’t answer.

Because the truth was, I hadn’t.

Ethan had never mentioned being with Evelyn that night. He’d spun some vague story about a business meeting gone wrong.

But now, the pieces were falling into place.

The way Evelyn had been avoiding me.

The way Ethan had been unusually distant.

And the way neither of them could look me in the eye.

A bitter taste filled my mouth.

Had they been together that night?

Had something happened between them?

Or worse—had Evelyn been the one to stab him?

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

Evelyn wasn’t violent.

But then again, people changed.

Especially when betrayal was involved.

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor.

Vanessa’s smirk widened. “Going somewhere?”

I ignored her.

Because right now, I needed answers.

And there was only one person who could give them to me.

Evelyn.