Chapter 7

Evelyn pushed the office door open gently.

The hinges creaked slightly, and the room came into view.

The desk was empty.

But right on the leather couch across from it, someone stood out like a sore thumb.

It was Sophia Thompson, the second daughter of the Thompson family.

Dressed in a revealing black mini dress that hugged her curves, with a sparkling diamond necklace around her neck and flawless makeup, her bright red lips were the first thing anyone would notice.

She was casually playing with a phone on the table—it clearly belonged to Alexander.

Fiona Turner had told her earlier that Alex was out for a bit and would be back soon.

The sound of the door opening made Sophia frown and glance up.

"Who's there?" she said, annoyed.

When her eyes landed on Evelyn standing in the doorway, a flash of surprise crossed her face.

Why was she here?

But the surprise quickly morphed into a mocking smirk.

She'd gone through quite a bit to track down Alex's schedule, using a business proposal as an excuse just to get into this office. The last thing she expected was to run into Evelyn.

Crossing her arms, Sophia didn't even flinch at being caught, like she had every right to be here.

She subtly pushed her chest forward, giving Evelyn—whose face had gone pale—a condescending look from head to toe.

"Well, look who just barged in without knocking," Sophia's lips curled into a sweet but fake smile. "Evelyn, what are you doing here? Alex is busy and doesn't have time for clingy exes."

She added with a smug tilt of her head, "Oh, you might not have heard—our families are working on a marriage alliance. I'm going to be officially Mrs. Gray soon, and you..."

Sophia let out a mocking chuckle. "You're just the fool who fell for the Cooper family's bastard son."

Evelyn's expression darkened, her chest burning with a rush of anger.

Not because she still cared about Nathaniel.

But because Sophia's smug face looked way too much like Lillian, the same look she saw before her death in the previous life.

"When you're dead, Alex will forget all about you—and I'll take your place as Mrs. Gray."

That flash of bitter memory rattled Evelyn to the core.

"Ugh..." she let out a stifled sob, her body trembling uncontrollably.

A wave of suffocation hit her, blurring her vision. Her knees felt shaky.

Just then, the office door opened again. Alexander walked in, his expression still cool and sharp.

He paused when he saw Evelyn standing there, barely able to keep on her feet.

"Evelyn? What are you doing here?" His tone held a hint of surprise as he instinctively walked toward her.

"Alex!" Sophia suddenly swayed over, latching onto his arm like she owned it. "I've been waiting so long for you. Evelyn just barged in and acted like I bullied her or something..."

Alex's brows furrowed, and he subtly pulled away from Sophia's hand.

His eyes were glued to Evelyn.

She stood there dazed, her lashes trembling slightly.

He wanted to rush over, hold her tight, tell her he was here, that she didn't need to be afraid—but he froze.

"I'm begging you, Alex, stop chasing after me. I don't like you. Just stay away from me."

Her words—so firm and final—still echoed in his head.

He feared that if he stepped closer now, she'd only push him away harder.

That brief hesitation didn't go unnoticed.

In Evelyn's eyes, his silence was another knife to the heart.

He didn't push Sophia away.

He didn't say a word to deny her claim.

Was Alex really planning to marry Sophia?

Scenes from her past life came rushing back in cruel waves.

At the edge of the cliff, Lillian's cruel laughter still echoed in her mind: "Once you're gone, Alexander'll forget all about you!"

And now, Sophia Thompson's arrogant voice rang in her ears: "The Thompson family is planning a marriage alliance with the Grays."

Evelyn's eyes locked on Alexander, tears swimming in them.

So it was true. He didn't want her anymore.

But she was the one who had let him go.

She had no one to blame but herself.

Tears poured faster down her face, yet not a word of reproach came out.

Alexander finally shook off his hesitation and took a step forward.

But Evelyn reacted like she had been burned. She spun around and bolted from the office, stumbling as she went.

The whole time, she didn't say a single word.

"Evelyn!" Alexander's voice broke in panic.

Nothing else mattered now—

He just knew she was hurting.

He had to reach her.

"Alex..." Sophia tried to grab at his arm.

"Get off me!" He flung her hand away with such force she nearly fell.

He turned on her, that usually emotionless gaze now blazing with fury. His voice was sharp. "Sophia, who gave you permission to come in here? Who told you it was okay to run your mouth in front of her?!"

Sophia shrank back, trembling as she stammered, "I-I was just here to talk about business..."

"Yeah? Well, forget it." Alexander's words were ice. "From this moment on, all partnerships with your family are over."

Her eyes widened in terror.

"Alex, you can't! That project means everything to the Thompsons..."

"I don't care," Alexander cut her off coldly. "You need to get one thing straight—Evelyn is where I draw the line. You think your family's something special? If you have the audacity to flaunt my name just to mess with her, then you'd better be prepared to pay up."

"Mr. Gray."

Samuel Conway rushed in, slightly out of breath.

The timing couldn't be worse—he'd come in just in time to hear the tail end of the disaster.

Evelyn had definitely come face-to-face with Sophia.

He braced himself. "What would you like me to do next?"

Alexander didn't even spare Sophia a glance. He turned to Samuel and said, "Get her out of here. And call everyone. Effective immediately, carry out the termination of all agreements with the Thompsons. Make sure they pay for what happened today."

There was no compromise in his tone.

"Yes, Mr. Gray."

Samuel felt a chill run down his spine—there was no saving the Thompsons now.

He turned to Sophia, who looked like she could collapse at any moment. "Miss Thompson, please."

"Mr. Gray, I'm sorry! I won't ever do it again!"

Sophia had completely lost her swagger—she was a mess of panic now.

But Alexander didn't even spare her a passing look.

His mind was already elsewhere, chasing after the girl who had just stormed off in tears.

Agitated, he yanked loose his tie. His gaze landed on the desk—and there it was, his phone screen lighting up.

A message from William.

[Alexander, Evelyn just woke up. She said she wanted to bring you back. You better not mess it up this time.]

That one sentence shattered the last of his control.

He hadn't grabbed Evelyn in time.

He'd let Sophia hurt her. Made her cry. Let her just... run away.

The look in her eyes just now—it had cut him deep.

And right after came a wave of pure rage.

Mad at Sophia, sure—but even madder at himself for hesitating!

"This is all yours now. Don't keep me updated on the rest."

Alexander threw that line over his shoulder at Samuel, didn't even bother grabbing his jacket, and bolted from the office, chasing after the woman who still held his heart.

Evelyn, wait for me.