Chapter 671

Evelyn's face drained of color, her first impulse to flee.

But Claire seized her wrist with surprising strength. "Evelyn, you owe me an explanation. What were those pills? Where have you been hiding? Alexander and I have turned the city upside down looking for you."

Evelyn scoffed. "Alexander only cares because he feels guilty about my brother. That's predictable. But you? Why bother?"

"Because you're a reckless girl alone in the world," Claire shot back, her voice softening. "I'm afraid you're making terrible choices."

Her concern was palpable. Claire couldn't help but pity Evelyn, who had lost everything too young. No wonder she clung to dangerous illusions.

"Alexander wants to send you overseas. Even if you refuse, disappearing like this is unacceptable!"

Evelyn stiffened at the unexpected warmth in Claire's tone. It unsettled her.

She turned, eyes sharp with defiance. "Playing the saint now? Do you honestly think I'll thank you?"

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "You asked what I took? It was an abortion pill. Want to know whose child it was? Alexander's."

Claire's breath hitched. "That's impossible."

"You think I ran away? Alexander knows exactly where I've been. This villa? His idea. He's been hiding me here, visiting whenever he pleases."

Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "We've been intimate. Because you—pregnant, fragile—couldn't satisfy him anymore."

A sharp crack echoed as Claire's palm struck Evelyn's cheek.

"Liar! You're drowning in delusions!"

Evelyn touched her stinging face, fury boiling in her veins. "You dare hit me?"

She raised her hand but hesitated. Leaving a mark would only complicate things.

Claire's chest heaved. "You're lashing out because you're ashamed!"

Evelyn laughed coldly. "No, Claire. You're the one who's scared. Ask the doctor—I am carrying Alexander's child. Who else would I be with these past weeks?"

With that, she shoved past Claire and vanished down the hall.

Claire stood frozen, her mind reeling.

"Alexander... hiding her? No. It can't be true."

Yet doubt slithered in, tightening her chest. Stress coiled around her swollen belly, forcing her to lean against the wall, gasping.

"I trust him. I have to."

But the seed was planted.

Meanwhile, Claire's best friend, Victoria, tore through the hospital corridors, panic clawing at her throat.

"Evelyn! Where are you?" Tears streaked her face as she checked every floor, even taking the stairs two at a time.

Rounding a corner, she collided with a solid chest.

"Victoria?" Max Harrison steadied her, his brow furrowed at her distress. "What's wrong?"

"I—I lost Evelyn. She's pregnant, and her phone's dead!" Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush.

Max didn't hesitate. "I'll help. We'll split up—cover more ground."

Back in obstetrics, Claire confronted the doctor, her voice barely steady.

"My cousin, Isabella Morgan. She mentioned taking abortion pills here. Is she... alright?"

The doctor typed briskly. "Early-term pregnancy. Medication was viable. No surgery needed."

Claire's knees buckled.

She wasn't lying.

"Ma'am? You're pale—"

"I'm fine," Claire lied, stumbling out before collapsing into a chair.

Just as Max spotted her.

"Found her!" he called to Victoria, who came sprinting.

Victoria crushed Claire in a tearful hug. "You terrified me! Why didn't you answer?"

Claire numbly checked her dead phone. "Sorry. I just... needed air."

Victoria exhaled, then noticed Max lingering.

"Thank you," she said, wiping her eyes. "I owe you dinner."

Max plucked the keys from her shaky hands. "Tonight. Let's drop Claire home first."

As sunlight gilded his hair, he opened the car door with a smirk.

"Princess, your chariot awaits."

Victoria blinked. "Wait—what?"