Chapter 645

Alexander froze, needing a full three seconds to process Evelyn's words.

When realization struck, his gaze immediately dropped to his midsection.

Was his waistline truly that noticeable?

Then again, wasn't some weight gain expected for a man in his fifties?

Vanessa, standing nearby, pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh at Evelyn's blunt observation.

But seeing Alexander's stormy expression, she quickly composed herself. "Evelyn, you shouldn't speak to Father that way. Show some respect."

"I call things as I see them." Evelyn shrugged. "No sugarcoating, no hidden meanings."

The unspoken message was clear - every word she'd uttered was undeniable truth.

Alexander wished the earth would swallow him whole.

As he reached for the roasted lamb chops at lunch, Evelyn suddenly swept all the meat dishes away from his place setting.

She met his glare with an expression that said 'this is for your own good.'

"All this fatty food will skyrocket your cholesterol and blood pressure." She pushed a plate of steamed vegetables toward him. "Stick to these if you want to live past sixty."

His favorite beef tenderloin now sat tantalizingly out of reach.

By meal's end, Alexander's stomach growled as loudly as when they'd begun.

"Vanessa, you should eat more."

Deprived of proper sustenance, Alexander turned his attention to his pregnant stepdaughter. "You're eating for two now! The baby needs nutrients." He piled Vanessa's plate high with delicacies.

Evelyn watched silently, her lashes casting shadows over her lowered eyes.

Though she claimed not to care, the blatant favoritism still stung.

They were both his daughters, yet Alexander had never shown her this level of attention - not a single word of concern, let alone serving her food.

Some children were clearly more equal than others.

"Vanessa, how's the pregnancy progressing? No complications?"

Vanessa was nearly five months along now.

Eleanor had kept her mostly confined to Hawthorne Estate these past months, terrified of a repeat miscarriage. Vanessa had gained noticeable weight, and recent ultrasounds showed the baby measuring large. Doctors had warned about potential delivery complications if growth continued unchecked.

"The baby's been quiet." Vanessa stroked her rounded belly. "We have the anatomy scan next week."

Alexander leaned forward. "Will they reveal the gender?"

Vanessa's fingers traced circles over her abdomen. "I'm praying for a boy."

A son would cement her position.

Eleanor desperately wanted a grandson.

Alexander nodded enthusiastically. "Sons are infinitely superior to daughters, no question."

Among his three children, Oliver remained his clear favorite. Though spoken carelessly, the implications hung heavy in the air. Even Vanessa's smile faltered.

Realizing his gaffe, Alexander backpedaled. "I only meant boys are easier to raise. You were always such a perfect daughter, Vanessa."

Evelyn chose that moment to twist the knife. "Perfect? Is that what we're calling homewreckers now? The whole city knows how she stole my fiancé right from under me."

Alexander's face darkened. "Must you constantly dredge up ancient history? Don't you ever tire of this broken record?"

"Not in the slightest."

Evelyn meticulously peeled a shrimp, savoring it before continuing.

"I need to remind you periodically, lest you forget. Not only did she steal my fiancé, but she framed me for crimes that landed me in prison for two years. Given Vanessa's track record, who knows what karma might visit upon her child..." While Evelyn couldn't directly retaliate yet, she took pleasure in needling them.

Vanessa's face drained of color.

"Evelyn! Take your anger out on me if you must! But how dare you curse an innocent child?"

"Innocent?" Evelyn's laugh held no mirth. "Was I not innocent when your mother switched us at birth? You enjoyed the Hayes family wealth while I struggled to survive, and now I can't even speak my mind?"

"You turned out fine!"

"Do you have any concept of what I endured? The things I did to survive? Don't presume to judge what you don't understand, so spare me your hypocrisy."

Vanessa fell silent, defeated.

"Evelyn, how long do you plan to stay here? Have you and Alexander quarreled?"

Evelyn arched a brow at her father. "Trying to evict me? Need I remind you this estate is legally mine now? If anyone should leave, it's you."

"You—!" Alexander's chest heaved with rage. "You've lost all sense of propriety! I'm your father!"

"Father, calm down!" Vanessa intervened as Alexander began pacing. "You don't understand - Evelyn wants to return, but Uncle Alexander has been... preoccupied. He's been spending all his time at the hospital with his childhood sweetheart."

Fresh from humiliation, Vanessa seized this chance to retaliate.

Pressing her advantage, she added, "Evelyn, is Alexander planning to divorce you?"

At the word 'divorce,' Alexander's expression turned thunderous.

Despite recent family turmoil, his connection to Alexander Whitmore had opened countless doors.

Horizon Enterprises depended entirely on Alexander's continued support.

If this marriage collapsed, what would become of his business?

"You must reconcile with Alexander immediately! Swallow your pride, apologize, do whatever necessary - but divorce is absolutely unacceptable!"

Ice flooded Evelyn's veins.

This was her father - demanding she grovel without even ascertaining the facts.

With paternal concern like this, did she even need enemies?

"I'm not going anywhere. Hawthorne Estate is my home." Evelyn dropped onto the sofa with finality.

"You ungrateful—!" Alexander raised his hand, poised to strike.

Evelyn tilted her chin up, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Lay one finger on me, and I'll dismantle everything you hold dear."

Alexander trembled with fury, his hand suspended mid-air.

At that precise moment, Margaret entered.

Taking in the scene, she flew to her daughter's defense, pummeling Alexander with her fists.

"Richard Hayes! How dare you raise a hand to my child?"

Margaret grabbed a nearby umbrella, whacking Alexander repeatedly. "Out! Get out this instant! You're no longer welcome under this roof!"

Alexander, who'd been playing model guest until now, blanched at Margaret's expulsion order.

But Margaret showed no mercy, instructing maids to pack his belongings immediately.

"Take your things and leave! Know your place! How dare you threaten my daughter!"

Alexander hadn't expected Margaret to follow through.

The memory of his previous eviction still haunted him - he couldn't endure that humiliation again.

His demeanor shifted instantly. "Darling, please forgive me. Just this once?"

It was pitiful watching this middle-aged man attempt puppy-dog eyes, whining to Margaret like a chastened schoolboy.

Evelyn observed from the sofa, her expression glacial, a shudder of disgust running through her at the pathetic display.