The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn) novel Chapter 198

Chapter 198: It’s Not Fine!

"Hubby."

She smiled, picking up the call.

"Axel... Did I interrupt your meeting?"

A deep, amused chuckle came through the speaker phone.

"No, not really. And yes," he added, his tone teasing, "I’m the one who got someone to spill the beans about Max. We had to steer the spotlight away, right?!"

Evelyn laughed, unable to stop herself.

"I knew it! You couldn’t stand seeing us trending anymore, could you?"

"You know me too well," Axel replied smoothly. "If they want gossip, I’ll give them something juicier."

"But your cousin?" she asked, still half laughing. "You really threw him under the bus?"

"He threw himself," Axel said lightly. "All I did was nudge the headlines."

Evelyn shook her head, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

Then, she cleared her throat to seriously express her worry, "But, what if this ruins his engagement?"

"Then maybe he’ll learn to think with his brain next time," Axel replied dryly.

"Axel..." she said anxiously, though she couldn’t hide her smile at hearing his sarcasm. "Still, I’m worried. This could reflect badly on your family. The Knights have a reputation, remember?"

"It’s fine," he said calmly. "My father will probably thank me. Anything is better than seeing my face plastered all over the news next to yours."

Evelyn’s laughter died abruptly, her heart skipping a beat.

"Yo-Your father? H-He also watching the news?" she repeated softly.

The warmth in her tone changed to uncertainty. She hesitated, unsure whether to push further.

"Yeah," Axel continued, his voice lower slightly. "He’s been... monitoring things lately. Don’t worry about it. I will handle him..."

But Evelyn wasn’t convinced. She could hear something in his tone, tension he was trying to hide.

"He still hasn’t accepted us, has he?" she asked, even though he already knew the answer.

There was a brief silence, then Axel sighed.

"It doesn’t matter whether he accepts us or not. Don’t worry about it, Eve. Let me handle him."

Evelyn nodded, even though he couldn’t see her.

"Alright. But promise me you won’t start another war with your father."

Axel’s voice softened again. "Only if you promise to stop worrying about me."

"Hmm," she said playfully, "that’s a deal I’ll never keep."

He laughed, low and genuine. "I figured as much."

She can’t help but smile when she hears that.

But her smile faded when he asked, "How about you? Did someone from your home call about it?"

Evelyn let out a long, weary sigh before answering.

"William Walters," she said softly, her tone heavy with exhaustion. "He called... and vented his anger on me."

Her voice trembled slightly, though she tried to sound casual. The memory of that harsh call was still sharp in her chest.

Silent for a few seconds before Axel’s tone dropped, low and tight with anger. "He what?"

Evelyn can’t answer him right away.

Instead, she imagines his expression: the slight clench of his jaw, the narrowing of his eyes. When Axel was angry, his calmness could be more terrifying than any raised voice.

"He has no right," Axel muttered, his words sharpened. "You’re not his to scold. He lost that privilege a long time ago."

Evelyn smiled faintly despite the ache in her heart. His protectiveness always touched her, though she didn’t want him to carry her burdens.

"It’s fine, Axel. Really. I already told him that directly..."

"It’s not fine," he replied immediately. "He shouldn’t even have your number. I should’ve—"

"Axel," she interrupted gently. "I said it’s fine."

Her tone softened him.

He sighed, frustration melting into regret. "I’m sorry, Eve... I should’ve protected you from that. He has no right to disturb your peace."

Evelyn shook her head.

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