Chapter 617

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

If Alexander hadn't met Isabella, how did her signature perfume end up on his clothes?

And that condom...someone had to be physically close to slip it into his suit pocket without him noticing.

It couldn't have been any employee from Horizon Enterprises.

So who then?

Alexander looked completely bewildered, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Seeing his distress, Evelyn felt her anger dissipate.

Her temper flared quickly but faded just as fast. All she really wanted was Alexander's reaction to the accusations.

At least now she knew he genuinely felt wronged and that something wasn't adding up.

Evelyn locked eyes with him. "Isabella clearly has an agenda. She sent me a photo wearing your jacket." Alexander froze momentarily before shaking his head in exasperation. "This has to be some twisted game she's playing."

Their conversation was interrupted as the car pulled up to Whitmore Manor.

No sooner had they stepped out than they encountered Vanessa.

Vanessa was supporting Ethan as they took a leisurely stroll through the gardens. The bruises from Ethan's recent punishment were still visible, his complexion sickly pale.

Vanessa spotted them immediately.

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Alexander and Evelyn holding hands.

"Didn't they fight?" she thought incredulously. "She was absolutely furious that day... What changed?"

A flicker of jealousy crossed her features before she forced a smile. "Welcome back."

"Mm." Alexander barely glanced her way.

As the two couples passed each other, Ethan could only steal furtive glances at Evelyn.

His gaze lingered even after she disappeared inside, unable to tear his eyes away.

Vanessa noticed, her fists clenching unconsciously. With a bitter smile, she murmured, "Ethan, look how happy they are together."

Her hand drifted to her stomach as she spoke.

"My prenatal checkup is tomorrow. Will you come with me?"

Evelyn walked a few paces before suddenly turning to Alexander.

"You said you came to Whitmore Manor that day, right? Did Vanessa approach you?"

Alexander frowned in thought. "She grabbed my pant leg, begging me to help Ethan." The pieces suddenly clicked for Evelyn.

"Could Vanessa be the source of the perfume?" she wondered.

"Is she working with Isabella?"

The next morning, Evelyn received a frantic call from Claire.

"Evelyn, I don't know what to do! Julian's disappeared and I'm terrified something's happened to him."

Claire's anxiety grew as she recounted their argument outside Bennett Estate that morning, pouring out every detail to Evelyn.

Evelyn listened quietly before responding, "Let me try calling him for you."

With little expectation, she dialed Julian's number. To her surprise, the call connected.

"Julian, where are you? Claire's been worried sick."

The line was filled with chaotic background noise - a middle-aged man shouting in a thick dialect, the faint sound of a woman crying. Julian moved away, the noise fading slightly.

His voice sounded strained. "Family emergency. Had to return home."

Evelyn pressed, "Claire's really concerned about you."

The prolonged silence made Evelyn check if the call had dropped.

She verified the connection before asking, "When are you coming back?"

The shouting man called Julian's name again, this time more urgently.

Julian's grip on the phone tightened. "Please tell Claire... we should end things. She deserves better."

The line went dead before Evelyn could respond.

Frowning, she tried calling back, but the line wouldn't connect this time.

Claire felt like she was losing her mind.

Evelyn's message echoed in her head as she gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Julian wanted to break up.

A hysterical laugh escaped her. She'd paid his tuition, covered his living expenses, even settled his mother's debts. And now she was being dumped.

Julian had pursued her first, confessed his feelings first. How dare he be the one to end it?

Within the hour, Claire made her decision.

She drove out of Cresthaven, heading into more rural areas. Bella, sleeping in the backseat, woke occasionally crying, but Claire kept driving.

Once on the highway, regret set in. She shouldn't have brought Bella. This whole trip might have been a mistake.

But stubborn pride pushed her forward.

She needed to hear those words from Julian's lips.

Eventually, Claire's luxury car rolled into a small, rundown town.

The sleek vehicle looked absurdly out of place, like a swan in a pigsty.

Julian had mentioned his hometown, but Claire only had vague directions, relying on memory and GPS.

Bella, unaccustomed to long journeys, cried frequently.

Claire's regret deepened. She never should have come.

But turning back wasn't an option.

Minutes after exiting the highway, Lucas called. "Where the hell did you take Bella? Are you seriously chasing after that pretty boy because he dumped you? Claire, you've lost your mind!" Claire scowled. "Are you having me followed?"

"Chasing after someone like Julian? Have you no self-respect? Let it go, Claire. You're worth ten of him!"

His tone was razor-sharp, clearly agitated. "Why would you degrade yourself like this?"

"Lucas, we're divorced. Why do you care what I do?"

"Because I still care about you! I can't watch you self-destruct. Send me your location - I'm coming to get you."

Claire hung up without responding.

The town had no proper hotels, only dilapidated motels.

Choosing the least offensive option, Claire checked in and grabbed a quick meal.

Once Bella was settled, Claire called Julian again.

This time, he answered.

"I'm in your county now."

Julian sounded stunned. "What?"

"Come get me, or I'll knock on every door until I find you. Your choice."

About forty minutes later, Julian appeared at the motel.

His shoes were caked with mud from last night's rain, pants stained. He looked as worn as the town itself, confusion and exhaustion etched on his face. He was clearly out of breath from running.

When he saw Claire, he visibly fought the urge to embrace her.

"I told you it's over. Why did you come?"

Claire immediately noticed Julian's red-rimmed eyes and the angry red mark on his cheek - unmistakably from a blow.

Standing abruptly, she demanded, "Who did this to you?"