Chapter 616

The evening shadows stretched long across the pavement as Evelyn stepped out of Powell Manor.

She'd just finished visiting Dominic at the hospital. The tension between Sebastian and Dominic had reached dangerous levels.

Never in her wildest dreams would Evelyn have imagined Sebastian ordering his driver to deliberately run over Dominic's legs.

"What kind of feud drives brothers to such brutality?" she wondered.

The Powell family empire remained firmly under Reginald's control, with both sons playing their designated roles.

"Even with conflicting interests, the family hasn't split. Reginald is still healthy. Why resort to this?"

Lost in thought, Evelyn exited through the side gate where Alexander waited impatiently.

"You went to Powell Manor? Was Dominic summoning you again?" His voice carried an edge.

Evelyn nodded. "Car accident. Shattered legs. He requested my medical opinion."

"Why does he keep turning to you specifically?" Alexander's jaw tightened.

"Perhaps he trusts my diagnosis more than his physicians?" Evelyn replied softly.

Alexander's expression darkened. "Evelyn, if this continues, I might actually get jealous."

Any man would feel uneasy seeing his wife repeatedly visiting another man. Evelyn knew this would bother Alexander.

Her abrupt departure earlier would have upset any husband.

But the lingering scent of Isabella's perfume on Alexander still haunted her. She wanted him to understand how that felt.

The evening chill settled around them. Alexander reached for Evelyn's hand, frowning at how cold her fingers were.

He immediately shrugged off his jacket to drape over her shoulders.

Evelyn stiffened. Normally, his thoughtfulness would warm her heart.

But tonight, Isabella's cloying perfume clung to the fabric.

With a sharp movement, Evelyn flung the jacket back at Alexander.

He caught it, bewildered. "Evelyn?"

Without a word, she slid into the car, turning her face to the window.

Alexander ran a hand through his hair, completely lost. He'd been the one waiting outside for hours, yet she was angry?

Simon, their driver, wisely remained silent as he pulled away from the curb.

As the car moved through the twilight streets, Alexander suddenly captured Evelyn's hand.

Their fingers intertwined as he gently turned her face toward him with his other hand.

"Tell me what I've done wrong," he murmured.

During Evelyn's absence, Alexander had buried himself in work. He was certain he hadn't given any woman inappropriate attention.

Except...there had been that encounter with Isabella earlier when he came to pick Evelyn up.

But he'd barely spoken to her.

Evelyn's fingers twitched in his grasp. "That day at Willowbrook Apartments...I smelled Isabella's perfume on you."

She watched his reaction closely.

Alexander froze. "We didn't even meet that day. Are you accusing me of something?"

Evelyn nodded.

"My heart belongs only to you," Alexander said urgently.

"And yet I found...that item in your pocket."

Confusion clouded Alexander's features. "What item?"

Evelyn glanced at Simon's back before whispering three words. Alexander's face darkened instantly.

He'd been framed.

He had absolutely no idea how that item ended up in his pocket.

Alexander tightened his grip on Evelyn's hand. "You're smarter than to fall for such obvious tricks."

Pulling her close, he pressed her against his chest. "But they say love makes fools of us all. In a strange way, I'm glad - it means you care enough to be jealous."

Thinking of Evelyn's recent distress filled Alexander with guilt.

No wonder she looked so exhausted today.

His chin rested atop her soft hair. "After all this time together, you should know the man I am. I'm your husband. You shouldn't doubt me."

Before she could respond, Alexander buried his face in her neck.

His warm breath sent shivers down Evelyn's spine. She tried to pull away, but Alexander held her tighter.

"I'm the wronged party here," he murmured against her skin. "Framed, and my own wife doesn't trust me."

To emphasize his point, he captured her lips in a playful bite, teasing them gently.

The intimate contact made Evelyn's pulse race.

"So this is how Alexander expresses his displeasure?" she thought wildly.

Her heart hammered so loudly she feared he might hear it.

Evelyn pushed him away, unconsciously licking her tingling lips before glancing nervously at the front seat.

Simon had discreetly raised the privacy partition.

Evelyn's cheeks burned scarlet, feeling like they'd been caught in something indecent.

Alexander smoothed her hair gently. "That day, I was at the office the entire time. The only other place I went was Willowbrook to help you. As for the perfume..." He frowned, unable to place it.

But he knew one thing for certain - he hadn't met Isabella that day.