Chapter 26

Alice called out hesitantly, "Master Alexander..."

Alexander grabbed his phone and swiftly dialed a number. "Nathaniel, come immediately to escort Miss Sullivan home."

Victoria stood frozen in shock.

After ending the call, Alexander's voice was icy and final. "Wait here. Nathaniel will arrive in three minutes to take you back."

Without another glance, he stepped into the elevator, pressed the button, and disappeared behind the closing doors.

Left alone in the pouring rain, Victoria clenched her fists.

Exactly three minutes later, Nathaniel pulled up in the sleek black car. He rolled down the window and called out, "Miss Sullivan, please get in before you catch a cold."

"Do I look like a peasant to you?" Victoria snapped, her expression twisting with disdain.

Nathaniel blinked in confusion.

"As Master Alexander's fiancée, shouldn’t you be opening the door for me and offering your knee as a step?"

Nathaniel hesitated, then wordlessly stepped out of the car. He opened the door with practiced ease, bent one knee, and extended his arm. "Miss Sullivan, your carriage awaits."

Victoria smirked, satisfaction dripping from her voice. "Much better."

Tonight had confirmed one thing—no matter how badly she behaved, Alexander would never discard her.

Not when he believed she was the woman who had saved his life that fateful night.

With this immunity, crushing Alice would be child’s play.

Humph!

Victoria settled into the plush leather seat, already plotting her next move as Nathaniel drove her home.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Alexander pushed open the penthouse door. As he passed the bathroom, the door swung open at the same moment.

A wave of steam and the crisp scent of soap enveloped him.

The generic body wash and shampoo were cheap, but their light, clean fragrance was unexpectedly pleasant.

Wrapped in a white towel, Alice emerged, vigorously drying her damp hair with another. Distracted, she didn’t notice Alexander until she collided with him—her bare foot landing squarely on his polished shoe.

"Ah—!" She stumbled back, eyes wide with panic. "Y-you—! I thought you were in your room! Why are you—?"

She had been avoiding him for days, timing her showers carefully. But after the kidnapping, she couldn’t stand the grime any longer and had lingered too long under the hot water.

And now here he was.

Flustered, Alice didn’t realize her towel had slipped until she saw Alexander’s darkened gaze sweeping over her.

His eyes locked onto the vivid bruises and red marks marring her delicate skin—her arms, her collarbone, her legs.

The sight of those injuries on her soft flesh ignited something primal in him.

Alice gasped, scrambling to cover herself. "D-don’t look—!"

But it was too late.