Chapter 1410

No.1

Evelyn's fingertips turned icy.

She remembered hibiscus flowers. But her memories of the sanatorium remained blank.

"I checked every girl named Evelyn." Madam Zade suddenly seized her hand. "But none were you..."

Evelyn's heart clenched.

So those strangers lingering outside her school had been searching for her?

......

At 3 a.m., the town car appeared punctually at the alley.

Madam Zade clutched a thermos, peering eagerly through the window.

No.2

"Evelyn, I made pear soup." She hurriedly pulled her inside. "Your voice sounds hoarse."

Evelyn's phone showed 99+ unread messages:

Take your vitamins

Wear layers tomorrow

Made your favorite osmanthus cakes

More meticulous than Eleanor Kingsley. More doting than Isabella Winslow.

Her replies stayed deliberately casual:

Drinking bubble tea

No.3

Bought new lipstick

Only edited three articles today

Then the printing plant scandal broke.

Vincent issued one command: "Someone bullied Evelyn."

Madam Zade, who hadn't left home in a decade, had her hair styled, wore a cheongsam, even applied the lipstick Evelyn gifted her.

......

"Miss Sinclair shows remarkable courage." Vincent praised her unabashedly before William Yearwood. "If my wife's condition were exposed..."

William's smile looked strained.

No.4

He'd noticed Madam Zade's strangeness—the death grip on Evelyn's sleeve, the unnervingly fervent gaze.

But with two power players present, he forced a chuckle: "What reward would you like, Evelyn?"

"I recommend Martha Nash." Evelyn met his gaze squarely.

William raised an eyebrow. A department head position was a small price for the Sullivans' favor.

When the transfer order arrived, the entertainment division erupted.

"Director Nash!" someone shrieked.

Martha stood stunned.

Evelyn bounced over. "What did I tell you?"

No.5

"What?" Martha played dumb.

"Editor Sinclair!" another voice called.

Martha smacked her back. "Look at you now!"

Fingering her shiny new badge, Evelyn recalled Madam Zade's morning text:

Evelyn, Mom's so proud of you.

While some celebrated, others lamented.

Victoria Henn slunk away in disgrace, while Martha Nash and Evelyn Sinclair received unexpected promotions.

Their colleagues clamored for a celebration, keeping them out until late.

No.6

Exhausted, Evelyn dragged herself home to find Madam Zade's car idling at the gate.

"Get in," Madam Zade urged, handing her a thermos. "I made you hangover soup."

Evelyn took a tentative sip—

"Ladies shouldn't drink so much," Madam Zade fussed.

Evelyn nearly choked.

Vincent Sullivan glared jealously. "She spent three hours on that. You'd better keep it down."

He'd never received such treatment!

"I didn't drink..." Evelyn mumbled.

No.7

Martha had accidentally spilled an entire glass on her during a drinking game.

Madam Zade scoffed. "Listen to you—already slurring."

"I'm not drunk—"

"Drunk people always say that!" Madam Zade insisted. "Finish the soup or call me Mom."

Resigned, Evelyn gulped down three bowls.

By the time they dropped her off, she felt worse than ever.

Staggering toward her building, the harsh lobby lights triggered her nausea. She barely made it to the bushes before retching violently.