Chapter 51

Alexander King gripped the steering wheel, his face dark with anger outside the police station.

Beside him, Lily White sniffled. "Alex, I swear I didn't mean to—"

"Shut up!" He slammed his palm against the wheel. "Do you have any idea how serious this is?"

He pulled out his phone and dialed Sophia Reynolds.

The moment the call connected, he snapped, "Sophia, have you lost your damn mind?"

Her icy voice cut through. "Alexander, maybe get your facts straight before yelling at me."

"It's just a damn dress!"

"Ask your precious girlfriend what she did."

The line went dead. When he tried calling back, all he got was a busy tone.

Alexander turned to Lily, his gaze sharp. "Explain. Now."

She bit her lip, tears streaming. "I just... I couldn't take it anymore..."

As the story spilled out, his expression darkened further.

"Are you out of your goddamn mind?"

"I—" She clutched his sleeve. "I just love you too much..."

He yanked his arm free. "Go home."

At noon, Alexander called Ethan Sullivan.

"Ethan, I need a favor."

After listening, Ethan refused flatly. "Not my problem."

"Just this once!" Alexander pressed. "Just get Evelyn to meet me for dinner!"

A pause.

"Last time." Ethan's voice was cold. "Dump Lily. Now."

That evening, Evelyn's phone lit up.

Seeing the caller ID, she declined immediately.

After several ignored calls, the screen finally went dark.

As she stepped out of the office, a familiar black Maybach idled by the curb.

The window rolled down, revealing Ethan's sharp profile.

"Get in."

Evelyn stayed rooted. "Say what you need to say."

"Get in first."

Under curious stares from passersby, she reluctantly opened the door.

She sat as far from him as possible, pressed against her own window.

"Talk."

"Alexander wants to apologize over dinner."

Her laugh was bitter. "And you agreed?"

"Your choice."

"I'm not going."

Ethan turned. "They want to make amends for the dress incident."

"Sophia is the one who deserves the apology."

The air in the car turned to ice.

Then Ethan spoke again. "At the Jacksons', your father mentioned the Eastside Project."