Alexander's expression darkened instantly, his brows drawing together sharply. "Theodore? How did you get involved with him?"

Cassandra let the tears fall freely, her face a mask of genuine distress. The raw emotion in her eyes was so palpable, so convincing, that it would wrench the heart of anyone who witnessed it.

She dabbed at her eyes with a trembling hand, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Alexander, I truly have no idea what I did to provoke him. Perhaps I spoke out of turn, said something careless that offended him."

Her voice quivered, thick with unshed tears. "Everyone knows his temper is volatile. No one dares to challenge him. I'm at my wit's end. You're the only person I can come to... or I fear I'll completely fall apart."

She took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself, but a desperate edge remained in her tone. "But Alexander, please, don't feel obligated. I'll manage somehow. If my career is destroyed because of this... I just... I only hope you won't cast me aside."

Alexander was silent, his face grim. He understood the real situation all too well.

Theodore had always been his rival. It was highly probable Theodore had discovered Cassandra's connection to him. This wasn't a random act of malice—Theodore was targeting Cassandra to get to him.

In essence, Alexander was the reason Cassandra had become a pawn in Theodore's game.

Alexander exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening with resolve. "Don't worry. I will handle this."

A flicker of relief passed through Cassandra's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, replacing it with concern. "But Alexander... you've kept such a low profile for years, lived a peaceful life. If you intervene on my behalf now, it will draw public attention. It will cause trouble for you, and I couldn't bear to be the source of that."

"It's fine. No matter the consequences, I will not stand by and do nothing," Alexander stated firmly. He turned his steady gaze towards her. "Theodore is targeting you because of me. This is my responsibility, and I will make it right."

Cassandra's eyes welled up with gratitude. Overcome with emotion, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. "Alexander, thank you! Thank you for protecting me! I'm so moved." At that precise moment, Evelyn emerged from the kitchen, having finished cleaning up.

She froze at the sight, her mind going completely blank for a second.

"What is going on here?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm.

Alexander hadn't anticipated Cassandra's impulsive embrace. The sound of Evelyn's voice made his expression shift immediately. Instinctively, he pushed Cassandra away.

Caught off balance, Cassandra stumbled and fell to the floor with a sharp cry of pain.

Alexander's eyes snapped to Evelyn, whose face was a mixture of confusion and something else he couldn't quite decipher.

He was momentarily speechless, a wave of panic rising within him. "Evelyn... it's not what you think. Let me explain."

Evelyn's mind reeled.

She had only wanted to lift Alexander's spirits, especially after he had taken her to visit his mother's grave. She hadn't wanted him to be swallowed by the pain of the past.

Because she cared for his feelings, she had suppressed her own discomfort about Cassandra.

Her intuition had warned her that Cassandra had feelings for Alexander, but she had repeatedly convinced herself she was being paranoid.

After all, Alexander had reassured her just last night, telling her not to doubt him.

But now, right before her eyes, was the undeniable image of Alexander and Cassandra locked in a close, intimate hug.

Suddenly, memories came flooding back—the betrayal by Julian and Isabella.

She tried to draw a deep breath, but it felt like an invisible hand was constricting her throat, choking her.

As she struggled to regain her composure, it felt as though her heart was being wrenched into an impossibly tight knot.

She couldn't remain here a moment longer. Without another word, she turned on her heel and fled, disappearing from the dining room in seconds.