?Chapter 1608:

At the Fragrance Garden, Evelyn paused from her reading, her ssesing off as she gazed out at the night sky, the crescent moon in view.

Lost in thought, perhaps reminiscing or pondering deep matters, a wistful sadness touched her eyes.

Penny watched her for a moment before speaking. “Mrs. Hopkins, it’s gettingte. Maybe you should rest.”

The sound of her voice drew Evelyn back. She turned with a faint smile, one touched by nostalgia. “When you get older, the past doesn’t knock—it just shows up.”

Penny looked at the clutter on the desk and offered a knowing smile. “It’s not your age, it’s all these old keepsakes. My advice? Let them go. Less clutter, more peace.”

“I’d rather sit with these things than let my thoughts wander in the silence,” Evelyn said, pressing her palms against the desk as she rose to her feet. “There’s a promise I made a long time ago. I’m just trying to keep it.”

Penny’s expression shifted to one of curiosity. “Do you n on returning to the Independent Continent?”

“Now that Nate’s engagement is sorted, it might be time for me to go home,” Evelyn mused. “Otherwise, certain people might start thinking they can do whatever they please.”

Upon hearing Evelyn’s words, Penny’s brow twitched ever so slightly, and in the quiet of her mind, she sent up a silent prayer for Braylynn, the Quinn family matriarch.

The feud between Evelyn and Braylynn had simmered since their younger days, never quite cooling. Hoping for peace between the two was like waiting for snow in the heart of summer—an exercise in futility. Even in the afterlife, they’d likely still be at each other’s throats.

“Did you deliver what I asked for?” Evelyn asked, settling onto the bed and slipping off her shoes, her eyes resting on Penny.

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“As instructed, I sent over the calming tea,” Penny replied, handing her a ss of milk. Her voice was calm and measured. “Our people said her mask of dignity cracked the moment she knew the calming effect of the tea. Clearly, she understood the message. But since others were present, she was forced to smile through gritted teeth and ept it. They hadn’t even stepped out the door before they heard her hurl the gift and unleash a stream of curses.”

A faint smile tugged at Evelyn’s lips.

She didn’t need to hear the actual words to imagine them. The insults were likely the same tired ones, predictable as ever.

But the fact that Braylynn had flown into such a rage meant the gift had struck the right nerve.

For years, Braylynn had worn the mask of a refined andposeddy, a charade Evelyn had always found deeply annoying.

Evelyn took the ss of milk and downed it in one determined gulp.

Without dy, Penny took the empty ss from her. Evelyn then said, the glint of satisfaction in her eyes unmistakable, “That old woman had iting. Otherwise, she might start thinking she’s queen of the Independent Continent just because I’ve been staying in Lyhaton.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Penny said, watching Evelyn’s expression and seizing the moment for a touch of ttery. “Even if you’re not holding the reins there for now, Braylynn has no right meddling in your husband’s matters. After all, he chose you over her back in the day—he must’ve seen through her act.”

Evelyn let out a proud snort. “That old fool was confused more often than not, but that decision—choosing me—was the one time he got it right.”

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