Chapter 123 His Uncle
The photograph showed two people.
Edith wore an elegant champagne-colored dress, her smile radiant. One hand rested naturally on the arm of the man beside her as she looked up at him.
The man was Linus—Alexander's uncle.
The same Linus who had fought him for control of the Hamilton family years ago. Who had used every dirty trick in the book. Who had nearly destroyed him more than once.
In the photo, Linus was looking down at Edith. His face—usually so calculating—held a tenderness Alexander had never seen before.
"No... this can't be..."
Alexander threw the photograph down.
Linus was ruthless. Cold. He would sacrifice anything to get what he wanted.
And Edith—in his memory—had been pure. Kind. Like sunlight.
Even after she rejected his proposal, even after he glimpsed the cold calculation behind that warmth, Alexander could not believe she would fall for someone like Linus.
He had not even known they had met privately.
But the photograph did not lie. The easy intimacy between them shattered every denial he could muster.
They were not just friends.
Especially the way Linus looked at her—that tenderness mixed with unmistakable possession. Hunger. He was a man. He recognized it.
A terrible thought surfaced.
Edith had been close to him once, but that closeness had never felt like love.
It was only in the final months of her life that she had suddenly crossed that line. Become warmer. More affectionate.
Her smile had been bright. Her words caring. His heart had raced. He had thought it was shyness. Affection.
And that timing—it was right after Linus had been defeated. Right after he fled Grandhaven in disgrace.
So Edith's sudden warmth—had it only been because Linus was gone?
Had she lost her support? Felt alone? So she had turned to him instead—the rising star who had just won the inheritance?
His stomach churned, and bile rose in his throat. He almost retched.
But he forced it down.
No. Edith was a Neville. Even without Linus, she came from money. Power. Why would she need him?
And if she truly needed support, why not accept his proposal? Become the lady of the Hamilton family? That would have been easier.
Why refuse?
Unless—she had gotten close to him for another reason. All that warmth had not been love. It had been something else.
What if Edith had been Linus's pawn? Left behind to watch him?
"No... no, this can't be..."
Alexander shook his head, muttering under his breath.
But once the thought took root, it spread like venom through his blood.
His body started shaking. His teeth chattered from how hard he was clenching his jaw.
He could not believe it.
All these years, he had held onto Edith. Seen her as his only light. Because of her, he had dragged another woman into hell.
And she might have been Linus's tool all along?
Then what did that make the last five years? The madness? The pain? The self-torture? Everything he had done to Caroline?
A complete joke?
Alexander let out a low growl.
He bent forward sharply, gripping the edge of the desk with both hands, trying to steady himself.
He could not.
Right now, he was out of control—a madman who could not even manage his own emotions.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Sir?" Kenna's voice. "Mrs. Hamilton's wound has been treated. But... because there was no anesthesia, the pain made her pass out."
Alexander stood frozen at the desk. Did not respond.
"Sir?" Kenna knocked again. Still nothing.
Liam, standing outside, sensed something wrong.
He gestured for Kenna to go back and watch Caroline, then stepped forward and knocked harder.
"Sir? Are you in there?"
Still no answer.
Liam frowned and pushed the door open.
The scene inside made him freeze.
Alexander's face was pale, his eyes locked on the desk.
Several folded papers lay scattered across the surface, obviously just pulled from the metal box.
Whatever was written on them had shaken him badly. His expression kept shifting—impossible to read.
Liam approached carefully. "Sir?"
Alexander stayed silent.
Liam's gaze drifted to the desk.
When he saw the photograph lying to one side, his pupils contracted. He sucked in a sharp breath.
"Sir! This—this is..." His voice carried shock.
He recognized both people in the photo. And their relationship was clearly more than casual.
Alexander's eyes snapped up at the sound, red-rimmed.
The next second, he roared and swept his arm across the desk.
Everything crashed to the floor.
"Sir! Calm down! Please, you need to calm down!"
Liam jumped forward, his voice low and urgent.
Alexander's chest heaved. His breathing was ragged.
He closed his eyes, then snapped them open again—still red-rimmed.
Liam straightened immediately, lowering his head, waiting for orders.
"Find out who Edith was in contact with during that time—when she was close to me. Besides the Nevilles. I want every name."
Liam's heart tightened. Was Alexander starting to suspect Edith?
He did not dare ask. Just nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. I'll find out as soon as possible."
Alexander nodded slowly and waved him away.
Liam moved fast, gathering the items from the desk, closing the box lid carefully, and tucking it into his jacket.
He was nearly at the door when Alexander's voice stopped him.
"What happened today—especially what's in that box—"
Alexander's gaze fell on the box in Liam's hands.
"No one can know. Especially... Caroline. Understand?"
Liam looked at Alexander with surprise.