Chapter 391

"Ms. Isabella!"

Evelyn, pale with terror, squeezed her eyes shut in panic.

Isabella felt her world collapse in that instant. Her pupils contracted violently, her heart turning to ashes.

Time seemed to freeze.

Memories of Alexander flashed before her eyes like a flickering film reel—their electrifying first encounter thirteen years ago, the battles they fought side by side in Zenithia, their wedding, their divorce, and the rare moments of solace they shared.

A shuddering breath escaped her, tears spilling down her cheeks.

They said in the face of death, one’s truest emotions surfaced. Was she thinking of Alexander because she still loved him—or because she hated him too much?

A sharp whistle of wind sliced through the air.

But the fatal blow never came.

Mr. Ward staggered back, his wrist exploding in pain as the knife was kicked from his grip, clattering into the pool.

Isabella whipped her head around.

And there he was.

Alexander stood before her like an avenging god, his icy demeanor cutting through the chaos. The moment their eyes met, the ruins of her shattered gaze ignited into wildfire. Her heart hammered, unshed tears burning behind her lashes.

He had come.

He had actually come.

Alexander’s breath hitched as his gaze locked onto hers—brief, intense, searing. Then his eyes dropped to the blood staining her arm, and fury erupted in his chest. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

Mr. Ward, a man who killed without blinking, felt his blood run cold under that murderous glare.

But what terrified him more was Alexander’s sudden appearance.

Alexander stepped forward, shielding Isabella like an impenetrable fortress. "I recognize you. You work for Elspeth, don’t you?"

Isabella’s breath caught. Jason, slumped on the ground, seethed silently.

She could understand Elspeth wanting her dead. But what she couldn’t fathom was why Elspeth would act so recklessly now, after maintaining their fragile truce for so long.

Unless... Elspeth’s real target was Evelyn?

But why? Had Evelyn uncovered something damning?

The remaining three thugs exchanged panicked glances. There was no turning back now.

"Elspeth? Never heard of her," Mr. Ward sneered, massaging his throbbing wrist. "But it doesn’t matter. None of you are walking out of here alive."

He dared to threaten Isabella.

Alexander’s lips curled into a lethal smile. "I was going to let you surrender. But since you laid a hand on my woman—now, I just want your life."

His woman.

Heat flooded Isabella’s cheeks.

But there was no time to dwell on his words. Alexander lunged at Mr. Ward, their brutal exchange sending shockwaves through the air.

The three thugs closed in, knives aimed at Alexander’s vitals.

"Alexander! Behind you!" Isabella’s voice was raw with fear, her body drenched in cold sweat.

She knew he wasn’t at full strength. Taking on Mr. Ward alone was dangerous enough—now, with three more attackers, the odds were impossible.

And they fought dirty.

Alexander didn’t even turn. He caught the nearest thug’s wrist and twisted—hard. A sickening crack echoed, followed by a scream.

Isabella’s heart pounded as she watched him move with lethal precision. The fearless soldier from Zenithia had returned.

He drove the knife into the man’s abdomen—swift, brutal, but deliberately missing vital organs.

Even after years of luxury, his combat skills hadn’t dulled.

"Was it you?" Alexander’s voice was a deadly whisper, his grip tightening on the bloodied knife. His eyes burned with storm-dark rage. "Did you cut her?"

Mr. Ward bared his teeth in a sneer.

"If she loses a single hair, I’ll break your legs. If she sheds a drop of blood, I’ll take your life." Alexander’s chest ached at the sight of Isabella’s wound.

But he couldn’t look at her. One glance might shatter his control.

Isabella’s lips trembled, emotions churning inside her.

Mr. Ward’s smirk turned sinister.

Chaos wasn’t enough. He needed certainty.

His hand slid to his waist, fingers closing around cold metal.

The gun’s muzzle locked onto Isabella’s face.

He hadn’t used it earlier to avoid attention. But now?

Bang!

A gunshot shattered the night.

"NO!" Alexander’s scream tore through the air.

Isabella braced for impact—

—only to hear a weak gasp.

Her eyes flew open.

"Evelyn!"

Evelyn stood before her, arms outstretched, before crumpling like a broken doll.

Alexander and Jason froze.

Isabella caught her, her palm instantly slick with warm blood. Trembling, she lifted her hand—and sobbed.

"Evelyn!"

"Ms. Isabella..." Evelyn’s voice was a fragile whisper, her lips barely moving. "Listen... Elspeth... killed Alexander’s mother. The proof... is on my phone..."

Ice speared through Isabella’s chest.

She looked up at Alexander, who had just disarmed Mr. Ward. Sirens wailed in the distance.

Seeing his escape cut off, Mr. Ward plunged into the pond.

Alexander fired twice—click. Empty.

The water swallowed Mr. Ward whole.

"Evel—Evelyn, stay with me!" Isabella pressed her coat to Evelyn’s wound, tears streaming.

But she knew.

As a doctor, she knew.

"Evadne!"

Gordon led the Abernathy security team, followed by her brothers, Elvis and Aaron.

"Evadne!"

She barely heard them. Her world had narrowed to Evelyn’s fading pulse.

Cassius reached her first, clutching his cross.

Gordon moved to support Alexander but paused to help Jason up. "You’re hurt bad. Ambulance is here."

Alexander’s gaze never left Isabella.

Then Elvis appeared, pulling her into his arms. "I’ve got you. Let’s get you to the hospital."

Paramedics whisked Evelyn away.

"Elvis..." Isabella’s voice was hollow. "Will she wake up?"

Elvis held her tighter. "She’ll be fine."

His eyes met Alexander’s over her head—a silent nod of gratitude.

Alexander watched them leave, his heart in shreds.

Aaron approached, expression grim. "Mr. Kingsley. We need your statement."

Gordon bristled. "You think he did this? He saved her!"

"Enough," Alexander said quietly. "I’ll cooperate."

Aaron hesitated, then lowered his voice. "You can see her first. She’s... not stable right now."

The hospital was suffocating.

Jason was already in surgery—his shoulder injury severe enough to risk permanent damage.

Isabella had tried to force her way into the OR, but Cassius and Elvis held her back.

"Evie, the best surgeons are on it," Cassius murmured, stroking her hair. "We’ll save his arm."

"It’s my fault," she choked out.

"Don’t say that." Elvis’s voice cracked.

Footsteps echoed.

"Evadne!"

Arnold and Bet rushed in.

"Bet." Elvis’s eyes lit up.

Bet gave a curt nod before turning to Isabella.

She looked up at him, broken. "I messed up, Bet."

His throat tightened. He took her icy hands in his. "Even if the sky falls, I’ll be here."