Evelyn's heart sank.
She pushed the door.
It didn't budge.
Alexander's voice was icy. "Step back."
He kicked the door hard.
Crash.
The door splintered.
They rushed into the bedroom through flying wood chips.
Sophia's hands were tied to the bathroom rail with a belt.
A towel and torn clothes were scattered on the floor.
She was soaked and trembling.
Her face was full of humiliation and despair.
William had no shirt. His pants clung to his skin.
He turned sharply at the noise.
His face paled when he saw Alexander and Evelyn.
Twenty years of deep love had twisted into something dark.
But his first instinct was still to protect Sophia's dignity.
He grabbed a towel to cover her exposed skin.
This small act preserved a shred of her modesty.
Alexander glanced away immediately.
His fists clenched.
Red marks circled Sophia's wrists.
Bruises covered her shoulders and calves.
These were clear signs of violence.
The woman he cherished for half his life.
The woman he never dared to touch.
William had treated her like this.
Rage consumed his reason.
Alexander grabbed William by the collar.
He dragged him out of the bedroom.
His fists rained down.
He kept his back to the door.
Refusing to look inside.
In the bedroom.
Evelyn's eyes reddened.
Her mother, always gentle and strong in her memory.
The woman who taught her self-respect.
Had suffered such violation.
She closed the door behind her.
Blocking out the noise outside.
Nancy followed her in, gasping. "Madam! This…"
Sophia kept her eyes shut.
Tears streamed down silently.
Nancy's voice choked. "I thought the master just wanted… He loves you so much…"
Sophia bit her lip.
Her body still shook.
Evelyn stepped forward quickly. "Mom, let me untie you."
She loosened the belt.
She turned to find clothes.
She wasn't familiar with Sophia's wardrobe.
She looked at Nancy. "Where are the undergarments?"
Nancy stared at her, stunned.
Evelyn pulled down her mask.
Revealing her full face.
Nancy's eyes widened. "Miss Evelyn?"
Evelyn urged. "The clothes!"
Nancy snapped back to attention.
She hurriedly opened the wardrobe.
Evelyn took the clothes.
She moved to help Sophia dress.
Sophia clutched the towel tightly. "Let Nancy do it."
Evelyn paused.
She understood her mother's shame.
She stepped back silently.
Nancy moved to help.
William's screams came from outside.
Sophia frowned. "Evelyn, go check."
Her voice was hoarse. "Don't let Alexander kill him."
She feared Alexander would lose control.
Evelyn clenched her fists.
Her gaze swept the bathroom.
The chaotic scene stabbed her eyes.
William's crime was unforgivable.
She would get justice for her mother.
Evelyn strode out of the bedroom.
She closed the door gently behind her.
William lay collapsed on the floor.
Alexander's fists were bloody.
He was about to strike again.
Evelyn's cold voice stopped him. "Wait."
Alexander frowned at her.
Evelyn's eyes were icy. "Don't let him die too easily."
She took some tissues.
She wet them and approached William.
Two bodyguards held William down.
The wet tissues covered his mouth and nose.
William struggled violently.
After a minute.
Evelyn ripped the tissues away.
William gasped for air like a dying fish.
Evelyn crouched down.
William saw her face clearly.
His pupils contracted sharply. "Grace Nan?"
Evelyn's expression was blank. "Surprised?"
William grinned, his mouth bloody. "That time at sea… How did you survive?"
Evelyn's fists turned white. "So it was you."
William lifted his head with difficulty.
He glanced at Alexander.
He leaned close to Evelyn's ear.
His breath was faint. "I'm finished anyway… Let me tell you a secret…"