Chapter 3

Just then, his phone buzzed with several new messages.

Alex instinctively glanced down, his eyes softening with tenderness and affection.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it.

The girl, saved as "Chloe" in his contacts, was cheerfully sharing updates from her day.

It felt like an eternity before Alex finally looked up from his phone.

"Hmm? What did you just say?"

My words felt like punching a feather pillow.

His lock screen flashed, displaying Chloe. Dressed in red, dancing. Every time he saw it, his eyes softened with that tender, doting look.

He had never looked at me like that.

So, when that girl, Chloe, stood before me, holding a pregnancy test report, I didn't hesitate. I slapped her across the face.

Chloe hadn't expected me to strike her. She shrieked, clawing at me.

"Evelyn Blackwood, you crazy bitch!"

"How dare you hit me? Alex will make you pay for this!"

Alex rushed in when he heard the commotion, his face a thundercloud, dark with fury.

He immediately saw me, grabbing Chloe's hair, pinning her terrified body against the wall.

"Evelyn!" Alex shouted, enraged, trying to stop me.

Far from being upset, I just smiled and looked at him.

"Honey, this girl is trying to scam us! She claims she's pregnant with your child. How is that even possible? Considering I helped her out once, I'm just teaching her a lesson."

With that, I pulled back my fist, aiming for her belly.

But my wrist was caught mid-air.

"Evelyn, stop it."

Alex rubbed his temples in frustration.

"You're stopping me?"

Alex was always so obsessed with appearances, especially with me. He loved playing the doting husband in public. This was the first time he'd openly stopped me, ignoring the stares and whispers around us.

"Alex, what is this? Is what she's saying true?" I said, a sneer twisting my lips. "Could that baby in her belly actually be yours?"

I expected him to twist himself into knots, denying everything, but this time, he was surprisingly candid.

"Yes." He stared into my eyes. "The baby is mine."

The next second, I slapped him across the face with all my strength.

Alex's head snapped to the side. He didn't dodge, and he didn't turn back for a long moment.

"Evie, that night was just a mistake."

"I mistook Chloe for you."

"But the doctor said she can't have an abortion, or she'll never be able to get pregnant again. I can't ruin her life."

Alex shielded Chloe firmly behind him, his actions making his stance clear.

I remembered the first time I'd been suspicious, and Alex's explanation.

"Chloe is just one of my students. She recently graduated and is looking for a job, so she came to me for advice."

Besides being a CEO, Alex also held a position as a visiting lecturer at the university.

Normally, a student seeking advice from a professor would be nothing.

But I'd seen the resume he'd hidden under his desk.

He'd already hired Chloe for his company.

If it was just a purely professional mentor-mentee relationship, it would have been fine.

But then I saw Alex, holding Chloe, who was wearing a red dress, dancing and kissing.

In that moment, I wanted to tear something apart.

"Evie, I thought you were on a business trip?"

Alex frowned, trying to smooth things over.

"Whatever it is, let's go home and talk."

I coldly shook him off.

My gaze fell on Chloe's bright red dress.

"Don't you go into a rage when you see red? Are you blind? Can't you see her in that bright red dress?"

"Alex, do you remember your reaction the last time I wore a red dress?"

"I had just found out I was pregnant and simply wanted to celebrate. You just lashed out, beat me, and sent me to the hospital for a miscarriage. Have you forgotten?"

Alex looked at me, his eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

"I already said I was sorry."

"Evelyn, must you always dwell on this? How long are you going to keep this up?"

Keep this up?

I savored the words and laughed, a hollow sound.

"That was a living, breathing life, Alex! Do you think I shouldn't keep this up?"

"Alex, today, either you send this woman to the hospital for an abortion."

"Or, you pay with your own life."

Chloe, hiding behind him, burst into tears, tugging at his sleeve for help.

"Alex, I don't want to lose this baby!"

Alex squeezed her hand, comforting her.

"I'm here. Don't be afraid."

Alex's stance remained firm; no one was going to touch Chloe.

"I told you, she can't have an abortion."

Alex dropped to one knee before me.

"Take my life instead."

"I'll do anything you want, okay, Evie?"

There he was again, with that pathetic, manipulative act, always putting on a show for others. But I swallowed my disgust and smiled brightly.

"Alright."

I picked up the nearby vase.

Amid Chloe's terrified screams, I hurled it at Alex.

"Don't hurt Alex!"

Chloe lunged forward, taking the hit on her back.

Alex's face drained of all color.

"Chloe..."

He scooped her up in a panic. "Don't be afraid, I'll get a doctor right away!"

He looked back at me, his eyes filled with infinite hatred.

And then I knew. Alex wouldn't let me go.

But I had already arranged for a reporter to secretly record everything in advance.

His camera had captured it all. If I wasn't mistaken, tonight, Alex would be treated to a spectacular exclusive news report.

Alex Thorne, who are you to take whatever you want and discard me when you're done?

I wasn't some object.

This time, I would make sure he understood the price of his actions.

Sure enough, two hours later.

#AlexThorneCheatingScandal exploded across the headlines.

At the same time.

Alex's furious call came through.

"Evelyn, you set up that trending topic! Delete it now!"