Chapter 141

The phone rang several times before the call was finally picked up.

"Hello, Uncle Frederick. It's Evelyn Thorne. Do you remember me?"

"Evelyn Thorne? How could I forget you? Thornfield Industries wouldn't have collapsed if it weren't for you!" His voice was sharp with resentment. "What, did you lose all your money overseas and come crawling back for a handout? Let me make this clear—you won't get a single cent from me!"

Evelyn remained unfazed by the venom in his tone.

"That's not why I'm calling," she said calmly. "I was just wondering if you'd ever considered switching companies."

"Switching companies?" Frederick scoffed. "Are you a headhunter now?"

"I'm planning to rebuild Thornfield Industries. If possible, I'd like to bring back the original team. If you're willing to return, I can double your current salary."

Frederick Dawson nearly choked on his own breath.

"Are you serious?" he sputtered.

Evelyn's voice was steady. "Completely."

Frederick exhaled sharply. "Did you win the lottery or something? Do you have any idea how much doubling everyone's salary would cost?"

"I can afford it," she replied simply.

A beat of silence. Then—

"If you're really serious, then hell yes, I'll come back! I've got no problem with money!" He paused, then muttered under his breath, "You really hit the jackpot, didn't you?"

"Not exactly," Evelyn said, amused. "But rebuilding Thornfield Industries isn't an issue. By the way, I need you to find out who bought the old company building. I want to buy it back."

Frederick let out a low whistle. "Damn, you are serious. Alright, give me some time—I'll look into it right away. I'll call you as soon as I find anything."

Evelyn glanced at the clock. "It's late. Ask around tomorrow. I just called now because... I'm happy to be home."

No matter how well things had gone abroad, she had never truly felt like she belonged there.

The next morning, Evelyn took Lily to tour the private preschool in their upscale neighborhood.

The school was designed like a fairytale castle, complete with turrets and stained-glass windows.

It was exactly the kind of extravagant institution one would expect in Ravenswood’s elite district.

"Miss Thorne, if you're concerned about Lily adjusting, you're more than welcome to enroll her for a trial period," the director offered warmly.

She had taken an immediate liking to Lily, who looked every bit the part of a storybook princess.

Evelyn crouched down to meet her daughter’s gaze.

"What do you think, sweetheart? It would make things much easier for Grandma if you went to school here."

Lily clenched her tiny fists, her dark eyes searching Evelyn’s face.

"Are you sending Henry somewhere else, Mommy? Can I go with him?"

Evelyn smoothed a hand over her daughter’s hair. "I’m sorry, Lily. Your brother’s situation is different. But once he’s ready, I promise you two won’t be separated again, okay?"

Lily’s expression was solemn, but she nodded.

After leaving her daughter in the director’s care, Evelyn headed home.

Clara was in the kitchen washing dishes while Henry played quietly with his new toys.

Evelyn approached him. "Want to go check out a new school, Henry? We’ll just look around. If you don’t like it, we’ll come straight back."

Henry set his toys aside and stood up.

He was an obedient child—cooperative when it came to things like this.

But actual enrollment was another matter entirely.

Evelyn had tried public schools, private schools, even homeschooling with a private tutor.

Nothing had worked.

She didn’t want to send him to a special needs school, but she was running out of options.

Willowbrook Academy was the most prestigious institution of its kind in Ravenswood.

Its tuition was exorbitant—only the wealthiest families could afford it.

Admissions were strictly referral-based, and Evelyn had only secured a spot through connections.

Their cab pulled up to the academy’s grand gates.

Evelyn completed the registration at the front desk, then turned—just as a sleek black Rolls-Royce glided toward the school’s exit.