Chapter 600

Evelyn had silenced her phone while working and only noticed Claire's two missed calls after completing her composition.

"Claire, what's wrong?" she asked, hearing the urgency in her friend's voice.

"I'm finally free from bed rest! The Bennett family is hosting a celebration for Bella today and just sent me an invitation," Claire replied bitterly.

Evelyn frowned at Lucas's audacity. "After everything he put Claire through - snatching their newborn without warning - why would he deliberately send her this invitation? Is he trying to reopen old wounds?"

"Stay put! I'm coming right now!" Evelyn declared, spinning on her heel.

As she turned, a loose sheet of music fluttered from her sketchbook.

The paper drifted downward, caught by a breeze that carried it down the staircase.

Minutes later, Isabella Morgan happened upon the fallen sheet. Pausing mid-step, she bent to examine the handwritten notes. "What have we here?" she murmured, smoothing the crumpled edges.

Though the handwriting was hurried, the musical notations were clear - a composition draft with scribbled revisions, likely capturing a sudden burst of inspiration.

With her trained musical ear, Isabella began softly humming the melody.

By the final measure, her pulse quickened with unexpected excitement.

This was extraordinary!

The paper's creases suggested it had been carelessly discarded.

As a new orchestra member, she recognized this wasn't amateur work, yet couldn't place which musician might have created it.

Carefully folding the precious score, she tucked it into her purse for further study.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had left the concert hall and was hailing a cab when Dominic Powell appeared beside her.

Dominic kept his gaze lowered, masking his emotions. "Need a ride? I'm heading your way."

After ten unsuccessful minutes trying to flag a taxi in this quiet district, Evelyn still shook her head. "I'll manage."

His frown deepened. "You've been avoiding me lately. Not even answering my texts."

"I healed your injury. What more could you possibly want from me?" Evelyn countered coolly.

Dominic's expression darkened. "So that's how it is? You're just going to pretend our history doesn't exist?" His voice dropped. "And my jacket? Did you forget about that?"

Evelyn blinked in surprise. "The jacket? Alexander took it, promising to return it to you." A realization struck her. "Wait...he didn't?"

The thought amused her. "Is Alexander seriously holding a grudge over a jacket?"

She bit her tongue, knowing she couldn't reveal Alexander had tossed it.

Dominic misread her silence.

"If you fancy me, just say so. No need to keep my jacket like some lovesick schoolgirl clutching her crush's sweater." Evelyn rolled her eyes at his arrogance.

Noting her reaction, Dominic smirked. "Honestly, after you fixed my leg, I wouldn't mind getting more...personal." Just then, a taxi finally appeared in the distance.

Evelyn quickly waved it down. As the cab slowed, she shot Dominic an amused look. "Has anyone ever told you how painfully corny you are?" Before he could respond, she slipped into the taxi.

Dominic stood frozen. "Did she just...call me corny?"

His face paled in shock.

By the time he recovered, the taxi had disappeared. Nathaniel, his driver, kept his eyes firmly on the road, wishing he could unhear everything.

Dominic's hand suddenly gripped Nathaniel's shoulder. "Am I really that corny?" he demanded.

Nathaniel swallowed hard. "Mr. Powell, you're simply...authentic with Ms. Carter."

Leaning back, Dominic lit a cigarette, the flame reflecting in his stormy eyes. "Exactly. She doesn't appreciate sincerity. Instead, she mocks me."

A faint, dangerous smile played on his lips. "So disobedient."

Claire's first post-recovery meal was Sichuan hotpot.

The two friends enjoyed their girls' night without male company.

Claire had ordered the spiciest broth available, tears streaming from the heat. "Tomorrow's the custody hearing! I can't lose! Why should I?"

"That bastard stole my newborn without warning! Now he's throwing this grand Bennett family celebration? What's he trying to prove?"

Evelyn squeezed her friend's hand. "At least you'll see Bella tomorrow."

Claire viciously bit into a beef slice as if it were Lucas's flesh. "I'm not just seeing her - I'm taking my daughter home!"

"Just wait! Before I couldn't fight back because of my injury, but now? That bastard will learn what happens when you cross me!"

The next morning, Evelyn arrived at Bennett Manor with Alexander.

The Bennetts had spared no expense, inviting Cresthaven's elite.

As they exited the car, the midday sun blazed mercilessly. Alexander instinctively shielded Evelyn with his hand.

Their shared smile held private warmth until they spotted Ethan Caldwell and Vanessa Hart.

Vanessa had been clinging to Ethan's arm, but he abruptly pulled away upon seeing Evelyn, his expression turning icy.

Vanessa's face tightened before she deliberately eyed Evelyn's midsection. "Evelyn, shouldn't you be showing more at five months? That barely looks like three." Her tone dripped venom.

Evelyn's flowing dress concealed her subtle bump, her hair elegantly pinned with a single jeweled clip.

Ethan cleared his throat, but his warning glance at Vanessa came too late.

Recent rumors about Evelyn's baby being Ethan's had resurfaced, and nearby guests began whispering.

Alexander smoothly drew Evelyn closer. "Ethan, your wife seems unusually interested in my child. Perhaps focus on producing your own heir? I'd love to meet my grandnephew someday."

Ethan's mouth opened then closed. The insult was delivered so politely it took him a moment to process.