bChapter /b365

    Ilse could see the worry on her daughter’s face. Sheposed herself and reached over, covering Genevieve’s hand with her own. “This might actually be for the best. She’s still your sister–inw, isn’t she? As long as she and Evander aren’t divorced, you should use this chance to get on her good side-”

    “You always want me to make nice with her!” Genevieve jerked her hand away, her patience finally snapping. “But what’s the point? iYou /iiknow /iperfectly well Charlotte and I never got along. Now that you iknow /ishe’s a Rayburn, you want me to swallow my pride and tter her?”

    Ilse was taken aback. “Genevieve, I’m only thinking of your-”

    “No, you’re just thinking of yourself!” Genevieve shot back. She stood up, abandoning her breakfast untouched, and stormed upstairs.

    Ilse mmed her fork onto the table in frustration, fuming over her daughter’s attitude.

    *

    Across town, Tricia only learned Loretta had been detained when she saw the news. So the idiot had finally blown their cover–aplete liability who couldn’t do anything right. Worse yet, Loretta had probably given her up as well.

    Tricia knew she couldn’t stay in Riverspire City any longer. She called Professor Aldridge, hoping to secure a spot in the overseas internship program.

    Professor Aldridge was having tea with Old Mr. Carstairs when Tricia’s call came in. Hearing her request, he sounded genuinely puzzled. “With your qualifications, you hardly need to go abroad for experience. In fact, I was considering having you take over my work.”

    Tricia froze, a glint of excitement shing in her eyes. “Take over… your work?”

    12.42

    “Wouldn’t you like that?”

    “–” Tricia clenched her fist. The career, the prestige she’d always craved, was finally within reach. Was she really going to walk away? Could she live with that?

    Of course not.

    In Professor Aldridge’s eyes, she was a key member of the team. As long as he continued to protect her, and with Lorettacking any solid evidence, the police couldn’t touch her for now.

    “I’d be honored to,” she said, her tone unwavering.

    Meanwhile, Charlotte received a text from Old Mr. Carstairs. As she

    suspected, the moment Loretta went down, Tricia tried to run.

    Thankfully, her gamble had paid off–Tricia would never give up a shot at climbing higher.

    Charlotte packed up her coffee and left the café, heading for her hotel. As she reached the curb, she nced up, only to spot a ck Rolls–Royce idling a short distance away.

    She recognized the license te immediately.

    It was Evander’s car.

    Charlotte’s steps faltered. The memories ofst night shed through her mind. She tightened her grip on the coffee bag and turned, intent on leaving.

    A familiar voice called behind her. “Ma’am.”

    She stopped, drew a breath, and turned to see Natalie approaching. Charlotte forced a smile. “Long time no see. Is there something you

    need?”

    “It’s not me,” Natalie replied, nodding toward the car. “Mr. Howard would like to see you.”

    12:42)

    “I thought he was abroad recovering. He’s back already? All better?”

    “I’m sorry, I can’t disclose Mr. Howard’s condition. He never went abroad–the trip was postponed.” Natalie lowered her eyes. “But he will be leaving soon for treatment.”

    “What kind of treatment?”

    “You can ask him yourself.”

    Charlotte nced at the dark–tinted window, saying nothing.

    It wasn’t until Natalie invited her again that she finally approached the car. Inside, Evander held a handkerchief to his lips, coughing softly. When he saw her enter, he set the handkerchief aside and straightened his posture.

    Charlotte’s gazended on his face, and she started in surprise. He was still strikingly handsome, but he looked thinner, and there was a pallor to his features she’d never seen before.

    She had never seen Evander look so frail.

    “I thought the surgery was a sess,” she said quietly.

    “It was,” he replied, his voice hoarse. “But you never called to check on me.”

    Charlotte let out a shortugh. “You were off overseas recovering. I doubt iyou /imissed my well–wishes in the crowd,”

    Evander looked at her with a faint smile. “How do you know I didn’t?”

    She didn’t answer.

    Evander turned away, his tone turning serious. “The woman who answered my phone that day was my mother’s niece.”