Evelyn's foul mood lingered at Serenity Oaks, even after she had shoved Alexander out of the master bedroom.

She washed up and got into bed, but sleep wouldn't come.

A heavy, oppressive feeling settled on her chest. The unease inside her grew with every second that ticked by.

Finally, she couldn't stand the suffocating tension any longer. She sat up abruptly.

Taking a sharp breath, she shot an irritated glare toward the closed door.

That idiot. She had kicked him out, but couldn't he at least try to come back?

She said she needed space, and he actually took it literally? Not even a single attempt to apologize or coax her?

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became.

He had kept such a huge secret from her for so long. Wasn't she entitled to be angry? Evelyn pressed her lips together, her mood sinking further.

Yet, a part of her understood. Alexander hadn't pretended to be disabled out of malice. He'd had no other choice.

If he'd had adequate protection, he would never have needed to resort to such an extreme measure for his own safety.

The real blame lay with those who had forced him into that impossible position.

This thought took some of the heat out of her anger.

She swung her legs out of bed, deciding to go find him and bring him back.

Left to his own devices, he'd probably just bury himself in work until dawn again.

It was better to call him back now. They could have a brief talk and leave the rest for tomorrow.

With this new resolve, Evelyn opened the bedroom door and headed for the study.

But she had taken only a few steps when Alexander's assistant, looking utterly panicked, nearly collided with her.

"Ah!" She stumbled back, startled.

The assistant skidded to a halt, his face pale. "Mrs. Blackwood! My apologies! Are you alright?"

Evelyn frowned. "What's the hurry? What's happened?"

She recognized him. He was Alexander's personal assistant.

His expression tightened instantly. Hesitation flashed in his eyes. "N-nothing, Mrs. Blackwood. Just retrieving some documents Mr. Blackwood requested. I'll be on my way shortly."

He paused, then added hurriedly, "Oh, and... Mr. Blackwood will be very busy for the next few days. He won't be coming home."

Evelyn's brows drew together. Something felt wrong.

Alexander never left without telling her himself.

Was he actually sulking?

Her eyes turned cold. "Tell me the truth. What is going on?"

The assistant froze under her gaze. He stole a wary look at her.

A slight chill ran down his spine.

For some reason, facing Evelyn right now, he felt an inexplicable pressure—almost as intimidating as facing his boss.

He swallowed hard but stuck to his story. "It's nothing, really. Mr. Blackwood just has urgent business. He'll explain everything himself when he returns. As for the details... I'm not privy to them."

Evelyn studied him carefully. He didn't appear to be lying.

If Alexander was genuinely busy, she could find another time to talk.

Just as she was about to let the assistant go, her phone rang.

She froze the instant she saw the caller ID. "Huh? Why is the police station calling?"

The assistant's eyes widened in alarm. Panicking, he instinctively moved to stop her. "Mrs. Blackwood! It's likely a scam call! Don't answer it—you mustn't believe random numbers!"