That night, Evelyn looked up.

For the first time, she was acutely aware of Alexander’s imposing height.

Whenever he moved closer, his presence seemed to envelop her completely.

Ignoring him felt utterly impossible.

A wave of irritation, mixed with an involuntary flutter in her chest, washed over her.

"Alexander," she blurted out, her voice sharper than intended. "Could you please leave for a while? I need to be alone."

Alexander started to object, a stubborn urge to stay and fix things tightening his jaw.

His determination to reconcile with Evelyn was absolute.

But Evelyn was already pushing him firmly toward the door. "Find another room to sleep in tonight."

The door clicked shut decisively in front of him.

Alexander remained outside for a long moment, releasing a heavy, resigned sigh.

Maybe a carefully written letter of apology would work?

His phone vibrated, cutting through his thoughts.

"Mr. Blackwood! Urgent news—Margaret has been taken by unidentified assailants!"

Alexander’s expression turned to ice.

A name instantly surfaced in his mind.

"Theodore," he muttered darkly. "What is he playing at now?"

"Sir, what are your orders?" his assistant asked urgently over the line.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "We are not letting this stand. Margaret cannot be taken so easily."

His gaze flicked back to the firmly closed bedroom door, recalling his tense encounter with Evelyn in the hotel lounge earlier.

He made a silent vow. Anyone who threatened Evelyn would pay dearly.

A bitter, humorless laugh escaped him. "If Theodore is behind this, I will deal with him personally."

"Understood, Mr. Blackwood."

After leaving the hotel, Theodore immediately contacted Daniel, his most trusted aide.

The lingering effects of the aphrodisiac were faint, just enough for him to maintain control for now.

But the gash on his shoulder was a different matter entirely.

The stab wound Evelyn had inflicted was deep, blood still seeping steadily.

Theodore’s face grew paler with each passing minute.

He was drenched in a cold sweat by the time Daniel found him in the room.

"Boss!" Daniel exclaimed, rushing to support Theodore as he leaned heavily against the wall. "What happened? Who did this to you? I'll find them!"

"Quiet," Theodore snapped, his voice strained. He took a shaky breath. "Just get me out of here. Now."

Daniel didn't ask again, quickly helping Theodore back to his residence.

A private physician was always on call for Theodore.

Upon arrival at the villa, the doctor immediately began work, stemming the bleeding and dressing the wound.

When Theodore’s shirt was removed, the deep, angry gash on his shoulder was starkly visible.

"Mr. Vance," the doctor said, his tone a mix of professional concern and alarm. "This is serious. Who stabbed you? The blade came dangerously close to your heart and lungs. Were you ambushed?"

Daniel stood nearby, his expression grim.

This was the most severe injury Theodore had sustained since returning to Crestwood.

The Vance family held significant power in the city. It was an audacious act to attack Theodore so brazenly.

Were they seeking death?

Daniel wondered why his boss was refusing to name his attacker.

"Boss," Daniel pressed, his voice low. "Who was it? Why won't you tell us?"