Chapter 676

Evelyn was carefully applying rosin to her cello bow, the gentle strains of Mozart's piano sonata filling the room for her unborn child's prenatal stimulation.

Natalie had sent a package from her recent performance tour in Lutalia. The moment Evelyn unwrapped the gift box, her face lit up at the sight of authentic Lutalian dark chocolate and a bottle of aged red wine.

She popped a square of chocolate into her mouth, savoring the rich cocoa flavors. Almost immediately, the baby responded with enthusiastic kicks, as if dancing to the sweet treat's rhythm.

Evelyn chuckled, running a hand over her rounded belly. "Looks like someone has their mother's sweet tooth," she murmured.

The thoughtful gift made Evelyn consider reciprocating. Money wasn't an issue anymore - thanks to Natalie's connections, her compositions were generating steady royalty checks. Without Natalie's mentorship, her musical career might have taken years longer to blossom.

She initially wanted Alexander's input on gift ideas for women Natalie's age. But when she checked his study, the room stood empty.

"Must be at one of his meetings," Evelyn mused, slipping into her wool coat.

At the foyer, Susan hurried over as Evelyn selected a pair of comfortable flats. "Mrs. Whitmore, should I accompany you? At this stage of pregnancy..."

Evelyn waved off the concern with a warm smile. "I'm just popping over to Willow Mall. It's barely fifteen minutes away."

Settling into the car, Evelyn scrolled through her contacts. Claire had been her first choice, but recent job rejections had left her friend stressed.

"Motherhood shouldn't disqualify anyone," Claire had fumed during their last coffee date. "I could bench press half those interviewers! This industry's ageism is disgusting."

Evelyn understood Claire's frustration. The modeling world prized youth above all else. "Their loss," she'd reassured her friend. "When the right opportunity comes..."

"I could always take that offer from Max in Havenbrook," Claire had mused, then sighed. "But Sophia's so little still..."

The dilemma was real - career versus motherhood. Evelyn decided against bothering Claire today.

Her thumb hovered over another contact - Victoria Clarke. They hadn't properly spoken since the kidnapping incident that ended Victoria's engagement. Society's cruel whispers about "soiled goods" had driven most of Victoria's friends away.

The call connected after three rings. "Evelyn? Now's not really..." Victoria's voice dropped to a whisper.

"I'm working the night shift at QuickStop. Can we reschedule?"

Evelyn's eyebrows shot up. The Clarke heiress working as a convenience store clerk? Even after the ransom payment, the family fortune couldn't have dwindled that drastically.

Before Evelyn could inquire further, Victoria abruptly ended the call. "Customer just walked in. Later!"

At the QuickStop counter, Victoria clenched her phone, watching the familiar figure emerge from the alley's shadows.

Andrew Morgan was early tonight.

For two weeks, Victoria had taken this graveyard shift specifically to monitor his movements. That first night when their eyes met across the counter, she'd nearly fainted from terror.

The police claimed Andrew's kidnapping ring was too entrenched for immediate action. Any misstep could trigger retaliation against her family. So Victoria devised her own plan - get close, gather evidence, then strike.

Andrew's piercing gaze swept over her as he entered. Victoria forced her hands steady, reaching for his usual cigarette brand before he even tapped the glass display.

"Your usual, Mr. Morgan?" she asked brightly, noting how his pale fingers hesitated momentarily at her use of his name.

He slid a crisp hundred across the counter. Silence was his trademark.

Victoria counted his change with deliberate slowness. "You know," she ventured casually, "my grandfather died from lung cancer. Smoked two packs daily."

Andrew's icy stare could have frozen lava.

Victoria met his gaze unflinchingly, adding the change to his outstretched palm. "Just saying... your family would want you around longer."

For the first time in fourteen days, the corner of Andrew's mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. More like a predator considering new prey.

Victoria's pulse hammered as he pocketed the cigarettes without a word. The bell jingled as he exited, leaving her alone with the security camera's blinking red light.

She exhaled shakily. Phase one complete. Now to see if her bait would be taken.