Chapter 431

Sophia gasped theatrically, her hand flying to her chest. "Good heavens! Ethan, are you actually working with this criminal?"

The memory of Evelyn’s earlier accusation—that Ethan had conspired with the attacker to harm Alexander—flashed through her mind. Her eyes widened in exaggerated shock.

"Have you lost your senses, Ethan? You’re Harold’s eldest grandson!" Her voice dripped with feigned dismay. "You’re supposed to lead by example, not sink to this level!"

Though her concern wasn’t genuine, Sophia played her part flawlessly.

Her relationship with Eleanor had always been strained, rooted in years of resentment. Eleanor’s family had never hidden their disdain for Sophia’s husband, Vincent, branding him an illegitimate son.

The bitterness between them stretched back decades.

When Sophia was preparing to marry into the Aniston family, Eleanor’s household had been consumed by grief over a relative’s passing.

The funeral had been a grand affair, drawing nearly all the guests who might have attended Sophia’s wedding. As a result, her ceremony had been embarrassingly sparse.

At the time, Vincent’s mother had just died. Their marriage had been nothing more than a cold business transaction, and the absence of guests had only deepened Sophia’s humiliation.

The scandal wasn’t about the Caldwell family—it was solely about Vincent and his household.

Sophia had set her wedding date months in advance, yet when the day arrived, barely anyone came.

For most, marriage was a sacred, once-in-a-lifetime event, and the empty seats made Sophia seethe with humiliation. Since then, she had nurtured a deep grudge against Eleanor.

Now, Sophia couldn’t help but relish Eleanor’s public disgrace.

Her words pretended to lament Ethan’s poor judgment, but in truth, they were a deliberate confirmation of his criminal ties.

Eleanor shot Sophia a venomous glare, knowing this wasn’t the time to engage.

Alexander flung the photograph at Ethan. "Here’s your proof. What do you have to say for yourself, Ethan?"

Alexander had been waiting for this moment.

After Ethan had kept Evelyn captive for over two weeks, Alexander had no intention of letting him walk away unscathed.

But if he was going to destroy Ethan, he needed a justifiable reason—one that wouldn’t drag Evelyn’s name through the mud.

Exposing Ethan’s kidnapping would only bring shame upon Evelyn, and Alexander refused to let her suffer further.

So, he made a decision.

He would take the blame himself.

That way, if the truth ever surfaced, the scandal would land squarely on his shoulders—not hers.

Ethan and Alexander locked gazes.

The storm in Alexander’s eyes was unmistakable.

Truthfully, Ethan had been manipulated by Zachary. He never truly intended to harm Alexander.

Though he despised Alexander for stealing the woman he loved, his hatred didn’t run deep enough to wish him dead.

Yet now, under Alexander’s piercing scrutiny, Ethan found himself speechless. What defense did he have?

As a man of pride, begging for mercy was beneath him.

They were rivals, after all.

After a heavy silence, Ethan muttered, "Do what you want. I have nothing to say."

His words were surrender.

"Ethan, stop this nonsense!"

Eleanor cut in sharply. "Those photos prove nothing. Zachary used you, didn’t he?"

A mother knew her son best.

The air between us crackled with tension.

"You were played by Zachary." My voice trembled with barely contained fury. "This guilt you feel—it's making you protect Evelyn instead of facing the truth!"

Alexander's icy laughter sent chills down my spine.

"Let me get this straight," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now it's about him being the victim? About him protecting Evelyn? Not about Evelyn nearly killing our son?"

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.

The betrayal cut deeper than I'd ever admit.

Ethan stood between us, his face pale. "You don't understand—"

"Understand what?" I snapped. "That you conspired with a criminal? That you helped Zachary Black target my family?"

Ethan flinched as if struck.

Alexander's gaze never wavered. "Interesting how quickly the narrative shifts when convenient."

The unspoken accusation hung heavy in the air.

Ethan's shoulders slumped. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"That's the problem," Alexander said coldly. "Intentions don't matter. Only consequences do."

A tense silence fell.

Somewhere in the mansion, a clock ticked ominously.

Ethan opened his mouth—

Then closed it again.

The truth was a blade between us, sharp and unforgiving.

And it cut all three of us equally.