<h4>Chapter 437: Protective</h4>


    Then, after a hesitant and overly lengthy inhale from the other side, Alicia finally spoke in a steady voice, “Alright… Now, tell me everything.”


    Evelyn shook her head softly, amusement warming her voice. “All the news going around is false. It’s just gossip.”


    Silence.


    Suspicious silence.


    “Gossip?” Alicia repeated slowly, clearly unconvinced. “Are you absolutely sure about it, Eve?”


    “Yes, I’m absolutely sure.”


    “But that woman—” Alicia still doubts it.


    “She is only enjoying attention.”


    Silent again, before Alicia continues, “But, why does she look like she is telling the truth!?”


    “Well, she also looks like she enjoys fame.” Evelyn casually answered.


    Another pause.


    And—


    Alicia’s worry did not disappear. It intensified.


    “Then why didn’t Axel make a statement?” Alicia demanded. “Why is he silent? Silence always looks guilty, Eve. I know that, and I once believed your father could cook.”


    Evelyn can’t help butugh when she hears her words, “Alice, you know thatparison is unfair, right!?”


    Alicia answered hurriedly, “But it is urate.”


    Evelyn adjusted her positionfortably. Then she asked, “Alice, do you really think Axel would hide a child from me?”


    “Well…” Alicia hesitated. Then answered honestly. “I do not know. Men are strange creatures. Intelligent in business, butpletely foolish in personal matters.”


    Evelyn smiled. “That is a very broad usation.”


    “It is based on years of research.”


    “Alice, if Axel had a secret child, do you honestly think the inte would be the first ce I learned about it?”


    Alicia paused. “…Well. That is a very good point.”


    “Thank you.”


    “But still!” Alicia burst out again. “Why is this happening? Why is your husband always surrounded by drama? I just don’t want him to hurt you. Heaven, why doesn’t Axel have hobbies… like fishing or gardening?”


    “Axel does have hobbies.”


    “Yes. Terrifying ones.”


    Evelynughed again, warmth easing the tension. “Alice, rx. Nothing has changed. Axel is handling it.”


    “Handling it quietly.”


    “Yes.”


    “I do not trust quiet handling.”


    “I know.”


    Alicia sighed deeply, her dramatic energy softening into genuine concern. “My poor Eve… You must be stressed.”


    “I’m fine.”


    “Are you sure?”


    “Yes, I’m fine and didn’t bother with that gossip out there. I’m actually enjoying my Chinese Drama now…” Evelyn softlyughed, hearing Alicia’s surprised, amused tone from the other end.


    “Oh dear, I’m sorry,” Alicia paused briefly. “—But, Eve, if that woman is lying,” she muttered darkly, “I hope karma works quickly.”


    Evelyn smiled. “With your luck, karma is already on standby.”


    “I hope so,” Aliciaughed. Then herugh slowly faded as she continued, “But if my son-inw ever hurts you…”


    Evelyn’s smile softened as she felt her heart warm at hearing how protective Alicia was toward her, as if Alicia were her own mother. “He won’t. He loves me so much,” she said.


    Alicia fell silent, but she still sounds worried and still protective. “…Alright, alright,” she said finally. “But I’ll keep my eye on him all the time.”


    “Sure, I’ll let him know he’s under heavy surveince.”


    Alicia took a relieved breath, “Alright, I won’t bother you again for now. Go. Go… watch your drama. Goodnight, Eve.”


    “Goodnight, Alice…”


    Finally, the room was quiet again.


    Evelyn remained seated, the remote control resting beside her, forgotten.


    The television continued to glow softly across the room, but her attention had long since drifted elsewhere.


    Her phone sat in her palm, its screen dark now, yet somehow still heavy with everything it had delivered that evening.


    Her conversation with Alicia reyed in her mind.


    The panic. The dramatic threats. The protective fury.


    Evelyn sighed softly.


    It would have been amusing if it were not so exhausting.


    Even after the call ended, the chaos refused to die. Her phone had continued vibrating relentlessly, lighting up with calls, texts, and notifications that multiplied faster than she could dismiss them.


    Every buzz felt like a tiny reminder that the inte had decided to ruin everyone’s peace today.


    Enough.


    Without hesitation this time, Evelyn pressed and held the power button.


    The screen faded.


    Silence. Again.


    She exhaled in relief, her shoulders finally loosening.


    “That’s enough madness for one day,” she murmured under her breath.


    The world could survive a few hours without her.


    What she needed now was sleep. And tomorrow, Axel… He could exin everything then.


    As she ced the phone on the bedside table, her gaze drifted toward the digital clock glowing beside her.


    9:52 PM.


    Her brows pulled together slightly.


    “Why hasn’t Axele home yet?”


    The question surfaced quietly, yet it carried weight. Axel was not exactly known for keeping predictable hours, but tonight felt different.


    After everything that had happened, after the storm of gossip flooding the inte, a small, stubborn worry began creeping back into her chest.


    She hated that feeling. That restless tug of unease.


    Her eyes shifted again toward the powered-off phone. Just a nce. Just curiosity.


    Maybe Axel had called.


    Maybe he had sent a message.


    Maybe—


    Evelyn stared at the device for a long moment.


    Then sigh softly. Curiosity was a dangerous thing.


    “…Fine.”


    Reaching for the phone, she turned it back on.


    The screen barely awakened before notifications exploded across it like fireworks. Messages stacked endlessly. Missed calls. News alerts. Family group chats are spiraling into emotional disasters.


    Evelyn blinked.


    “…Unbelievable.”


    She ignored everything, her thumb moving with practiced precision until one familiar name caught her eye.


    Hubby.


    A short message waited.


    <i>“Wife, sorry, I’ll be backte. Please don’t wait up for me and sleep early. Something’se up, so I’ll be stuck here again.”</i>


    Evelyn’s expression softened instantly. She could practically hear his voice behind the words.


    Half apologetic. Half exhausted. Entirely Axel.


    Evelyn sighed, warmth recing irritation.


    After a brief pause, she typed her reply.


    <i>“Gonna sleep now. Take care, hubby.”</i>


    Her reply was simple. No drama. No interrogation. Shepletely trusted him.


    Her eyelids drooped heavily now, exhaustion finally iming its victory, forcing her to yield for her own good.


    Sleep sounded heavenly.


    Without another thought, she climbed onto the bed, slid beneath the covers, and sank into the familiarfort of her bed. The tension of the day slowly melted away as her body rxed, her mind driftingzily toward rest.


    Peace.


    Atst.


    Or so she thought.


    admin


    <strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.