Chapter 196

Victoria Sinclair wasn't a reckless spender like Penelope Whitmore.

Had Victoria been the true heiress of the Sinclair fortune, she wouldn't have suffered so much.

Her life could have been as effortless as Penelope's.

Evelyn Carter, Alexander Montgomery, and Olivia Montgomery arrived home to find Margaret Dawson bustling in the kitchen.

Olivia inhaled deeply. "Something smells incredible. I wonder what Aunt Margaret is cooking."

"She's preparing regional specialties. Remember how you mentioned loving them? She handpicked the freshest ingredients at dawn just to get them right," Evelyn said with a smile.

"Fantastic! I'll go help her." Olivia set down the gifts and hurried toward the mouthwatering aromas.

Meanwhile, Alexander settled onto the living room sofa.

Evelyn handed him a bowl of fruit. "You must be tired from the long flight. Have some—you need the vitamins."

Alexander usually avoided fruit due to its sweetness, preferring supplements instead.

Yet he took small bites of what Evelyn offered.

Between mouthfuls, he reassured her, "Evelyn, don’t worry about the gossip. Nathaniel will hold those people accountable. Cassandra Blake has already received a lawsuit notice."

"That company is nearly bankrupt, and a buyer is circling. That family will lose everything soon, buried in debt. No one involved will escape consequences."

Evelyn stared at him, bowl in hand. "Alexander."

"If something’s on your mind, just say it," he replied, meeting her gaze.

He’d postponed critical business to handle this personally.

As her eldest brother, shielding her from slander was his duty.

Evelyn took a deliberate bite. "Alexander, how do you know they’ll lose everything? That sounds like insider knowledge."

She understood Nathaniel’s legal pursuit—but the bankruptcy details?

It almost sounded like Alexander was orchestrating the takeover.

His lashes flickered—he’d said too much.

Regaining composure, he shrugged. "Vista Properties is acquiring them. I work there. Hence, the intel."

"What a coincidence," Evelyn murmured, though suspicion prickled.

In her understanding, Victoria’s brother ran that company.

Penelope and Victoria were likely the schemers.

Logically, Victoria would never let her brother sell—it’d be suicide.

Sensing tension, Alexander shifted topics. "Evelyn, where’s Julian? Working late?"

"No. I told him you were coming. He promised to be home early."

The doorbell rang.

"That must be him. Forgot his keys again." She opened the door—and froze.

An unexpected visitor stood there.