Chapter 1877

No.1

Julian suddenly smiled, as if reverting to his old self.

"Have you ever considered," he said softly, "that this is the real me?"

Melissa took a step back.

"We only met in middle school. What childhood friendship?" He advanced step by step. "The dance lessons were for someone else. So was catching butterflies."

His smile vanished, replaced by cold indifference. "The only one who truly grew up with me is Evelyn."

In the hallway, Melissa collapsed to the floor, tears streaming.

......

No.2

The Eaton family's steward looked deathly pale.

The elder Mr. Eaton slammed evidence before him. "Traitorous scum!"

"Master, I only—" The steward trembled violently.

"Send him to the police," the younger Mr. Eaton said coldly.

It all traced back to one sentence Evelyn had whispered before leaving. How had she known his secret?

Alexander's fury forced the Eatons to punish their steward severely. Investigations revealed he'd taken Isabella's bribes to harass Evelyn.

This journalist was the reason Alexander Kingsley had moved heaven and earth.

No.3

......

The Kingsley estate buzzed with joy.

"I wonder if it's a boy or a girl?" The Dowager Madeline beamed.

Eleanor quickly interjected, "Either would be Kingsley's treasure."

Turning to the senior maid, the Dowager asked, "You're experienced. How can we tell the baby's gender?"

"Nowadays, a blood test at two months can reveal it."

The next day, the Dowager took Evelyn's hand eagerly. "Darling, let's check the baby's gender, shall we?"

No.4

Evelyn Sinclair had just set down her book when Madeline Kingsley pushed open the hospital room door.

"Evelyn dear," the elderly woman's wrinkled face creased into a smile. "I went to the temple today to get a fortune slip—they say it can predict the baby's gender."

Evelyn's fingers stilled. She lifted her gaze with practiced grace. "Grandmother, this isn't the Middle Ages. Do people still believe in such things?"

"Oh, but better safe than sorry!" Madeline leaned in conspiratorially. "They say it's incredibly accurate. The slip reads—"

"Grandmother." Evelyn's interruption was gentle but firm. "Boy or girl, this is Alexander's and my child."

Madeline's smile faltered. She tucked the slip away with a strained chuckle. "Well, of course..."

She turned to a food container and produced a steaming bowl. "Here, I made this specially for you."

No.5

The pungent aroma of vinegar assaulted Evelyn's senses. She frowned at the yellowish broth—it smelled like someone had emptied an entire vinegar bottle into it.

"How much vinegar did you add?"

"Just a dash," Madeline's eyes darted sideways. "Some hawthorn for appetite."

Evelyn stirred the soup and fished out a lemon peel. "Since when is this hawthorn?"

Madeline's cheeks flushed. "Must you be so difficult?"

"Testing the 'sour for boy, spicy for girl' theory?" Evelyn set the spoon down with a clink. "Why don't you try it first?"

She made to ladle some broth, but Madeline recoiled. "My—my blood pressure! Acidic foods are forbidden."

No.6

The standoff broke when the door swung open. Alexander Kingsley strode in, his sharp gaze flickering between them. "Having soup?"

Madeline suddenly found the wall fascinating.

Evelyn pushed the bowl toward him. "Your grandmother's thoughtful gift."

Alexander drank without hesitation, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Hmm. Appetizing."

Madeline brightened. "See? I told—"

"If by appetizing you mean battery acid," he set the bowl down, "then yes."

The older woman's face cycled through shades of red and white.

No.7

"Grandmother," Alexander's voice turned glacial. "Don't you have bridge games to attend?"

"I was just concerned about Evelyn's—"

"Concerned enough to check our child's genitals?" His laugh held no warmth. "Since when did the Kingsleys become sexist peasants?"

Madeline fled without another word.

Alexander poured Evelyn a glass of water. "You shouldn't have to deal with that."

Their fingers brushed during the exchange, sending a jolt through both.