Chapter 567

Evelyn sat quietly at the table, waiting. When Alexander didn't return after several minutes, she picked up her fork.

The spread before her was exquisite, and her stomach growled in protest. She couldn't let it go to waste.

She dialed Alexander's number. No answer.

Only one person could make Alexander abandon her mid-meal—Isabella.

Yet Evelyn felt an unexpected calm settle over her.

Perhaps uncovering the truth about Andrew's death had reshaped her perspective on Alexander and Isabella's relationship.

Or maybe she'd braced herself for this moment long ago, numbing the sting.

Evelyn trusted Alexander wouldn't betray her. There had to be a valid reason for his sudden departure.

As his wife, she owed him the benefit of the doubt.

She'd wait for his return and a proper explanation.

The meal ended too soon, with Alexander still absent. Evelyn settled the bill and stepped into the cooling evening air.

As she debated returning to the theater, a sleek black sedan pulled up beside her.

"Standing me up?"

Dominic's smirk carried a dangerous edge. "Night's young. How about keeping me company instead?"

Evelyn's brows knitted. How did Dominic know she'd been with Alexander?

"No, thank you," she said firmly.

Dominic's gaze burned into her retreating figure. "First woman to refuse me," he murmured. "Makes you even more irresistible."

Nathaniel, his driver, exchanged a glance through the rearview mirror.

Bold move, Mr. Powell. Stealing Alexander Whitmore's woman takes guts.

Alexander burst into the private booth to find Isabella pinned beneath Vincent, her dress torn at the shoulders.

Isabella's hair fanned across the floor as she fought to cover herself. Angry red marks marred her cheeks and collarbones.

"You'll regret this!" she sobbed. "The Morgans will have your head!"

Vincent laughed cruelly. "Your family's been irrelevant for decades. Who'd avenge you?"

His belt clattered to the floor. Isabella went deathly pale.

The weight difference made escape impossible.

Just as Vincent leaned in, the door exploded inward.

"Alexander!" Isabella cried.

Alexander's fist connected with Vincent's jaw before the man could react. Teeth shattered. Blood sprayed.

Isabella scrambled up, collapsing against Alexander. "A few more minutes and he would've—"

Her entire body trembled violently. Tears soaked Alexander's shirt as she clung to him.

Alexander peeled her off and took in her ruined dress. He shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it to her. "Cover yourself."

Only then did Isabella realize how much skin she'd exposed.

Wrapped in Alexander's scent, she pointed at Vincent. "That monster tried to rape me! Don't let him get away!"

Vincent groaned on the floor, struggling to rise after Alexander's devastating punch.

Alexander turned to Isabella. "Why are you alone here?"

Newly returned to the city, she shouldn't know about places like Eclipse Lounge.

"Dominic brought me!"

"Dominic?"

Isabella nodded. "He got a call and left me here."

Alexander's eyes darkened. Isabella's breath hitched—she recognized that lethal calm.

Something was very wrong.