Evander leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping idly on the tabletop. “She’s been secretly watching my wife for quite some time. I have to admit, I’m curious–what’s so special about my wife? She’s just an adopted daughter of the Sterling family. Why is she worth iso /imuch

attention?”

“She’s been spying on your wife?” Sean’s brows shot up.

“You met my wife this morning,” Evander replied, setting his ss down, his expression unreadable as he nced up. “Does she look… familiar? Perhaps a little like your own wife?”

Sean was utterly taken aback.

After that dinner, Sean returned home and immediately confined Loretta to the house, bringing in an etiquette coach to teach her some manners.

Wesley, puzzled by his father’s unusually harsh attitude toward Loretta, asked his father’s assistant what had happened.

The assistant shrugged. “I’m not really sure. Sir was furious with Miss Loretta–she must’ve said something that really upset him.”

Wesley slumped down on the couch, remembering what Julian had said about Loretta ndering Charlotte. His face darkened. “Maybe it’s time someone finally put her in her ce.”

The next morning.

After getting ready, Charlotte checked her email and found a message from Vera.

She opened it. ording to the hospital records, Loretta had her appendix removed eight years ago, and her blood type was listed as B.

A child with type O Rh–negative parents couldn’t possibly have type B blood.

10:22

Chapter b333 /b

So Loretta wasn’t the Rayburn family’s real daughter after all.

A WhatsApp notification popped up.

Judd: [Switched jobs again? Back in the city?]

She replied, exasperated: [No!]

Judd: [When are youing back?]

Charlotte: [In a few days.]

Judd: [Don’t you dare bail and stay there…]

Charlotte paused, then typed: [What’s up?]

A few minutester, Judd replied: [If you don’te back, I’lle drag you back myself.]

Charlotte stared at her phone, dumbfounded.

Since when was he so funny?

Around noon, Julian called Charlotte using Wesley’s phone. He said Wesley wanted to apologize in person.

She agreed–she had evidence to show him, after all.

Wesley was fishing by thekeside halfway up the hill, surrounded by rolling greenwns and clusters of trees swaying gently in the breeze.

Julian led Charlotte up the slope. “Sir, Miss Sterling is here.”

Charlotte was panting from the hike, hands on her hips. “I thought we were meeting at a restaurant!”

Wesley smiled. “The view’s better here.”

Before Charlotte could reply, a shuttle cart pulled up on the other side of the clearing,

Evander and Natalie stepped out, both dressed casually and carrying fishing gear.

Charlotte shot Julian a look. “There was a cart? And you didn’t tell me?”

10.22

Julian gave a helpless shrug. “You never asked…”

Charlotte could only stare at him in disbelief.

“Mrs. Sterling, there you are,” Natalie greeted her with a polite nod.

Charlotte nodded back, her manner civil, but her gaze flicked to Evander. “So, you all nned this fishing trip together?”

Wesley looked up. “I didn’t invite Mr. Howard. Must’ve just been a coincidence.”

“A happy coincidence,” Evander said, unfolding a chair and sitting down at a leisurely pace. “Didn’t expect to run into you here, Mr. Rayburn.”

“The scenery is hard to resist,” Wesley replied with a calm smile. “I thought you weren’t much of a fisherman, Mr. Howard?”

Evander handled his fishing rod with practiced ease. “Not usually, but I like to get out once in a while.”

Charlotte pressed her lips together. She’d hoped to have a private conversation with Wesley and hand over the evidence she’d found–but of course, Evander had to show up.

Before Evander cast his line, he nced at Charlotte, who sat nearby, cheeks puffed in silent annoyance–she even managed to look charming

when she was frustrated.

He swallowed, looking away. “Charlotte, have you ever been fishing?”

b3/3 /b

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