Chapter 380

Evelyn's eyebrows arched in surprise.

First, she noticed it was clearly a woman's name flashing on the screen.

That wasn't the shocking part.

The real issue was seeing Alexander's brow furrow deeply.

With one sharp tap, he declined the call.

Before his hand could return to the steering wheel, the phone rang again.

The persistent ringing alone was enough to set nerves on edge.

Exhaling sharply, he rested one arm on the window ledge while reaching to reject the call again.

Evelyn caught his wrist.

"Answer it. Might be important."

"I can step out if you'd prefer privacy," she offered, already unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Unnecessary." Alexander tugged her back. He swiped to answer with a curt, "What?"

"Sob...sob...sob..."

The sound of hysterical weeping filled the car, making Evelyn blink rapidly. Was she hearing things?

Alexander's jaw tightened visibly. His patience was clearly wearing thin.

"Call back when you can speak properly."

The line went dead. Evelyn didn't know whether to laugh or cringe.

Classic male response.

It solved nothing. Within seconds, the phone lit up again.

Alexander answered with a sharp tap.

This time, no tears.

Instead, a shrill voice screeched, "You hung up on me! Alex! How dare you! You vanished without a word! You're ignoring my texts! You've never treated me this way before!"

"I'm abroad. State your business or I'm hanging up."

His tone left no room for argument, fingers poised to disconnect.

Cassandra pouted audibly.

"I can't just call to talk? Where are you? Sebastian doesn't know, and Harrison refuses to tell me. When are you coming back?"

"Classified. Anything else?" Alexander replied coolly.

His gaze kept flickering to Evelyn. It was subconscious, but Cassandra's feminine intuition screamed danger.

"Who are you looking at? Is someone there?"

Her face suddenly filled the screen as she leaned aggressively toward the camera.

Alexander recoiled. "What are you doing?!"

"There is someone! A woman, isn't it? Who is she?"

Her voice climbed octaves with each accusatory question.

"Someone's here. Not your concern. I'm hanging up now."

"No—"

A piercing shriek made Evelyn clap her hands over her ears.

'Good grief, that banshee wail!' she thought.

The scream cut off abruptly as Alexander terminated the call. Evelyn opened her mouth to ask if he expected another call.

Then she watched him immediately block the number and all associated social media accounts.

Evelyn was stunned.

This would only fuel Cassandra's obsession.

As Alexander started the engine, he caught his wife's amused sidelong glance. He shifted uncomfortably.

"The Winslows are family friends. Cassandra's practically a sister."

Evelyn's lips twitched. "Sister?"

The word sounded foreign on his tongue.

Clearing his throat, he amended, "Yes, sister. There's nothing... beyond that."

"Nothing what?" she pounced.

Alexander froze. Normally unflappable, seeing him flustered was unexpectedly entertaining.

The more he squirmed, the more she wanted to tease. His explanation was unnecessary anyway.

A man of his stature had women throwing themselves at him constantly. That gorgeous face was practically a magnet for trouble.

"Evelyn," he groaned.

He sighed, about to elaborate, but she waved him off. "Relax. Everyone has a past. I get it. Really."

Her breezy dismissal only irritated him further.

"What past?"

"Just drive. No need to dwell on trivialities."

Her magnanimous air suggested she was above petty jealousy. Which, ironically, made him seethe.

"You're not even slightly jealous?"

"You said she's like a sister. Why would I be?"

She batted innocent lashes.

Technically true, but her complete lack of reaction gnawed at him. Jaw clenched, Alexander focused on the road, clearly bothered.

Evelyn dozed off peacefully in the passenger seat, oblivious to his dark mood.

She awoke as the car stopped in the hotel's underground garage. Perfect timing.

"Such a smooth ride. Didn't feel a thing," she praised, unbuckling her belt.

Alexander remained silent.

'Heartless woman. Doesn't care at all.'

He sighed, torn between admiring her composure and resenting her indifference.

Only upon entering their suite did Evelyn sense the storm brewing.

'Why's Alexander brooding? That phone call?'

'Did my presence complicate things? He severed ties with a family friend because of me...'

Deciding to reassure him, she casually remarked while unpacking the Olivella Soap, "No need to burn bridges. She might've had genuine business."

"Now that you've blocked her, future encounters will be awkward, no?"

She examined the soap carefully, mentally noting its composition for her new formulation.