Chapter 182
The moment Evelyn stepped out of the office, she quickly texted Claire with the latest update.
Claire responded with a simple thumbs-up emoji.
Natalie approached Evelyn’s desk with a warm smile. "Evelyn, the annual gala is just around the corner. Have you been keeping up with your cello practice?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Have you picked a piece yet? I think there’s a cello in the music room downstairs. Want to practice together during lunch?"
Evelyn blinked, momentarily stunned.
She had nearly forgotten about her performance at the company event.
Her own cello wasn’t at her apartment—she’d have to borrow the one at Titan Capital.
Then again, if memory served, her old cello was still tucked away at Hawthorne Estate.
Just as she was lost in thought, her phone buzzed.
It was Margaret, calling from the housekeeper’s line.
"I went to the farmer’s market at dawn and made all your favorites," Margaret said warmly. "Darling, why don’t you bring Alexander home for lunch today?"
Margaret Hayes had once treated Evelyn like a sworn enemy. But now that Evelyn was married to Alexander Whitmore, Margaret couldn't wait to butter her up.
Evelyn found it laughable. Her fingers hovered over the "end call" button—until she remembered she still needed to retrieve her cello from Hawthorne Estate.
"Fine. Around noon, then? I'll stop by," Evelyn said flatly.
Margaret nearly squealed with delight when Evelyn agreed. "Perfect! We'll be waiting. And don’t forget to bring Alexander with you!"
The moment the call ended, Margaret was already dialing Richard Hayes in a frenzy.
"Drop everything and come home! Who cares about signing contracts? Evelyn is bringing Alexander for lunch—"
"Yes, together. A single word from him could make us millions. Why waste time on paperwork? Hurry back before they arrive!"
Hanging up, Margaret tapped her chin. This was Alexander’s first visit. They had to put on a convincing performance.
She sank into the couch and dialed Vanessa Hart next. "Vanessa, bring Ethan home for lunch today."
A brief silence. Then—
"Is Evelyn coming?" Vanessa asked, voice sharp.
"Yes," Margaret said, satisfaction dripping from her tone. "And she’s bringing Alexander."
Vanessa's fingers tightened around her teacup, her knuckles turning white.
"Evelyn clearly has it out for me," she said, her voice trembling with barely concealed anger. "Last night, I invited her, but she refused outright. She even had the nerve to claim the house we live in is hers—threatening to throw us all out!"
"How dare she!"
Margaret's face darkened instantly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "If that ungrateful girl dares bring this up when she arrives, I'll make sure she never shows her face in front of Alexander again!"
In Margaret's eyes, Evelyn's marriage to Alexander was nothing but a shameless ploy. She should be groveling, not making demands.
By noon, the Hayes family had gathered in the grand living room, waiting in tense silence.
The clock struck 12:30. Still, no sign of Evelyn or Alexander.
Richard's expression soured. "What's the meaning of this? Where are they?"
Margaret pursed her lips. "I'll call them. Maybe they're stuck in traffic."
Vanessa leaned closer to Ethan, her voice dripping with false concern. "I'm so sorry, Ethan. I know you're busy with that important deal. I hate that we're wasting your time waiting for Evelyn."
Ethan had been swamped lately, barely able to spare a moment for her.
Her fingers brushed his sleeve, lingering just a second too long.
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t pull away.
The air in the room grew heavier with each passing minute.
Where were they?
Vanessa's words hung in the air as she turned to Richard with calculated innocence. "Father, Ethan rushed here straight from Titan Capital Group after my call. The roads were clear—strange, isn't it? Unless Evelyn hasn't left yet?"
The implication struck like a blade. Richard's face darkened, his grip tightening on the armrest.
Did his daughter truly believe Alexander Whitmore's name was a shield for her defiance?