Evander’s face remained unreadable as he picked up the file–just as he expected. “Charlotte asked him to look into it.”

“The Pembrokes and the Howard family have always been at odds, and Miss Sterling has been spending a lot of time with Mr. Pembroke. If Mr. Pembroke is using her…”

“That’s her business.”

His eyes were icy, every line of his expression radiating indifference.

Natalie was speechless.

If he didn’t care, why did he look so grim?

“So, are we still investigating Hiram’s case?”

Evander was silent for a long moment. “Look into everyone connected to him.”

Not long after Natalie left, his phone rang. It was Tricia.

On the other end, Tricia was crying. “Evander, Hans fell and hurt himself. No matter what I say, he refuses to go to the hospital–he says he’ll only go if you’re with him.” Evander’s brow creased. “Is it serious?”

“When he fell, there was broken ss all over the floor. His knees are bleeding, and there’s no first–aid kit at home…”

He replied calmly, “I’lle by after I finish up

He hung up.

here.”

Tricia stared at her phone, her expression turning sour.

If this had been before, Evander would have said he’d be there right away. But now? “After I finish up“? That was all?

Ever since the incident yesterday–when Evander realized he’d wrongly med that wretched Charlotte–his attitude toward Tricia had changed. She couldn’t afford to just sit back and do nothing anymore.

An hourter, Evander finally showed up with a doctor to check on Hans. The doctor examined the boy’s wounds, and seeing they were inmed, administered ba /btetanus shot.

b1/3 /b

After they’d finished treating the injuries and the doctor had leftb, /bbTricia /bblet /bbout /bba /brelieved sigh. “Hans is just terrified of hospitals. Otherwise, I never bwould /bbhave /bbothered you when you’re so busy. I’m the one causing trouble for youb, /bbaren’t /bbI/bb?/bb” /b

Her voice was soft, careful–like she knew she’d done something wrong and bwas /bafraid to provoke him.

Seeing her so eager to please, Evander’s tightly drawn brows rxed a little.

She had been through so much. Maybe it wasn’t entirely fair to me her for one lie.

His tone softened. “It’s no trouble. Don’t worry about it.”

Tears shimmered in Tricia’s eyes. “I know I shouldn’t have been so stubborn or lied to you. I won’t let it happen again.”

“Evander, I won’t push you anymore. I know there’s no going back for us. I’ve just been stuck in the past, unable to move on. But now… I want to let go. I have Hans, after all–I’m not good enough for you anymore.”

Evander looked at her, feeling oddly calm, though his emotions were tangled.

They had loved each other once, and he did owe her. But now, he was the one forcing her to back down–when she’d done nothing wrong.

His jaw tightened. He drew a deep, steady breath before speaking, “I promised Hans I’d take him to the amusement park. Once he’s healed up, I’ll take him.”

“Really, Uncle?” Hans’s eyes, clouded and tired, suddenly sparkled with hope.

Evander sat on the edge of the bed and squeezed the boy’s hand. “Really.”

A light returned to Hans’s face, his excitement bubbling over.

Tricia stood to the side, hiding a sly smile.

All she ever had to do was retreat a little, and Evander’s guilt and pity would surface. She was far from beaten yet.

Meanwhile-

Charlotte stepped out of the private clinic, phone buzzing in her hand.

Jonathan had sent her a list of Mrs. Fontaine’s recent contacts. As she expected, Tricia’s number appeared several times, but Conrad’s was conspicuously absent.

So, they weren’tmunicating by phone. There must be another bway/b.

Charlotte descended the steps, deep in thought.

Just then, the sound of children’sughter drifted over from nearby.

“Hey, look! There’s the crazy olddy!”