Chapter 409

"I swear I had nothing to do with it."

Under Evelyn’s skeptical gaze, Alexander finally caved. "Okay, fine. Maybe I had a tiny part in it."

He pinched his fingers together, emphasizing just how insignificant his involvement was.

Evelyn arched a brow. "Really? Just a tiny part?"

First, he claims complete innocence, now it’s only a sliver of responsibility?

"It’s the truth! Barely anything!"

Alexander placed both hands on her shoulders, as if physical contact would make his words more convincing.

"All I did was hand over some intel to the Laurentia police. Just a few pieces of evidence suggesting Vanessa might be linked to the kidnapping. The rest was out of my hands."

"The arrest? The charges? That was all them. I barely lifted a finger, I swear!"

His expression was so earnest that Evelyn almost believed him.

"So… Vanessa was actually behind the kidnapping?" The revelation left Evelyn stunned.

She never would’ve guessed someone so seemingly gentle could be capable of something so dark.

Alexander shrugged. "Not sure."

Evelyn gaped at him. "You’re not sure, but you still tipped off the police about her?"

He tilted his head thoughtfully. "But I am sure she’s wanted to hurt you for a while now. I let her slide twice already. Third time’s not happening."

Evelyn couldn’t argue with that. Even if Alexander had nudged the investigation in Vanessa’s direction, his intentions were to protect her.

If Vanessa was innocent, the police wouldn’t have arrested her.

The fact that she had been taken in meant there was something Evelyn didn’t know.

She exhaled dramatically. "Wow. Just… wow."

If this were a TV show, Alexander would’ve had a heroic soundtrack swelling in the background right now.

"Doesn’t that mean I deserve a reward?"

He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. Evelyn rolled her eyes but pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

"Happy now?"

"You call that a reward?"

Alexander scoffed before taking matters into his own hands. "Let me show you how it’s done."

Just as their lips met, Dominic stepped out of the restaurant, his mood already sour—until he spotted them.

Jealousy twisted his gut.

The woman who had once been his, devoted and unwavering, was now laughing in another man’s arms.

He knew he’d lost her for good. Not just Evelyn, but the power and influence of the Hawthorne family behind her.

Regret burned through him as he imagined the empire he could’ve had. His nails dug into his palms hard enough to leave marks.

"E-Evelyn," he muttered under his breath, venom lacing his voice.

The night was alive around him—neon lights flickering, laughter spilling from bars, people chasing highs or drowning in liquor.

But Dominic stood frozen, consumed by fury.