Chapter 459

The sunlight streaming through the windows did nothing to soften the tension in the room.

"I've endured your constant grievances at home," Harold Aniston's voice was low, but every word carried the weight of his fury. "But why did you have to drag our family's name through the mud? Now the entire city is whispering about us. Are you happy now?"

Though Harold knew Vanessa Hart bore responsibility for the scandal, Alexander Whitmore had crossed a line by exposing their private affairs to the public. The news had spread like wildfire, tarnishing the Aniston name. Even old acquaintances—people he hadn’t spoken to in decades—had reached out, their voices laced with pity and curiosity.

Humiliation burned through him.

Alexander, however, remained unruffled. He adjusted his cufflinks with deliberate calm. "They needed to face the consequences of their actions."

His voice was ice. "Did you expect me to sweep this under the rug? To let them walk away unscathed?"

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Just like you did when I exiled Ethan Caldwell from this family. Tell me, Father—since when do we protect criminals?"

The air grew heavier.

Alexander's next words sent a chill down Harold’s spine. "Be grateful Evelyn and the baby weren’t seriously harmed. If anything had happened to them..." His gaze darkened. "I wouldn’t have stopped at just ruining them."

Harold recoiled. "What are you saying? Alexander, you’re a detective, not a vigilante! I never should have—"

The door slammed shut before he could finish.

Alexander was already gone.

Harold's face darkened as he gripped the armrests. "You forget your place, Alexander. Everything you have came from me. I can strip it all away whenever I choose."

A cold smirk curled Alexander's lips. "The mask finally slips. You needed me to save Titan Capital Group during the crisis, but now that I'm protecting what matters, suddenly I'm disposable?"

He leaned back, the leather sofa creaking beneath him. "But here's something you should understand—Titan Capital isn't yours to reclaim anymore. Test me if you doubt it."

The unshakable calm in Alexander's voice made Harold falter. For the first time, he couldn't counter his son's words.

Alexander had transformed into the heir Harold always claimed to want—ruthless, strategic, unstoppable.

Harold studied him, struck by how much Alexander resembled Evelyn in that moment. The sharp angles of his jaw, the defiant tilt of his chin—it softened Harold's fury just slightly.

This wasn't an enemy. This was his blood, fighting for the woman he loved.

"Enough," Harold bit out. "Call off your people. Have the press retract the story."

Alexander didn't blink. "A word of advice? Losing your head over a woman is beneath you. Especially when Evelyn's ties to Ethan Caldwell are... complicated." His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "For the family's sake, end this marriage."

The scandal of imprisonment struck Harold like a thunderbolt, forcing him to face the gravity of the situation.

Such disgrace was intolerable for a family of their standing.

Harold would never permit Ethan to harm Alexander. The only viable solution was to drive Evelyn out of the Whitmore family.

It was a perfect strategy—saving their reputation while eliminating future complications.

Alexander’s eyes darkened dangerously. "So, the Whitmores solve their crises by pinning everything on a woman?"

His laugh was cold, edged with menace.

"I caused this uproar to make it clear—I will protect my wife at all costs. By what right do you interfere in my marriage, Father?" His voice dripped with disdain. "You never raised me. Perhaps it’s time I stopped pretending you did."

The air thickened with tension.

Harold’s jaw tightened, but Alexander wasn’t finished.

"Evelyn stays. If you force her out, I walk with her. And when I do, the Whitmore name won’t survive the fallout."

A silent battle raged between them—one fueled by years of resentment.

Harold had underestimated his son.

Now, he was reaping the consequences.