Chapter 51
No.1
"Don't worry, I'll handle Vincent," Evelyn promised.
Martha brightened. "Got another shady trick?"
Evelyn: "..."
She relied on skill, thank you very much!
But now...
Even sunbaking into jerky wouldn't help.
Evelyn shielded her eyes from the sun and sighed.
No.2
Vincent was impenetrable.
Three days of dead ends led her here, only to face locked gates.
Why?
She'd tapped every connection, even asked Eleanor Kingsley and Julian, but no answers.
Vincent attended events but refused interviews.
There had to be a key detail she'd missed.
This mansion's location came from Eleanor.
No.3
Evelyn said guiltily, "I left without a word and only come back when I need help. Feels pretty shameless..."
Eleanor laughed. "Drop the 'feels.'"
Then she gave the address without hesitation.
"If you're going to be shameless, own it. Be shameless with style, with flair."
Evelyn's eyes stung.
If she ever regained her memories before age ten, she hoped her mother was just like Eleanor.
The scorching sun baked the asphalt, heat waves distorting the distant scenery.
No.4
Evelyn Sinclair narrowed her eyes as a sleek black luxury car approached. Its polished surface gleamed coldly under the sunlight, like a lurking panther.
Her spine stiffened instinctively.
The window rolled down, revealing Alexander Kingsley's sharply defined features. His gaze cut into her like a blade.
"What a coincidence?" Evelyn took half a step back, fingers digging into her palms.
Alexander pushed the car door open, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. The dark gray suit he wore accentuated his pale, icy complexion.
Evelyn turned to leave.
Footsteps closed in behind her. She quickened her pace, only for his hand to clamp around her wrist.
No.5
"Running away?" Alexander pressed her against the sunbaked wall, his breath hot against her ear. "Didn’t you come here just to see me?"
She tilted her head up, her gaze clear. "I’m here to interview Vincent Sullivan."
Alexander scoffed. "You can’t even lie properly. The old man never gives interviews."
His thumb traced the delicate curve of her wrist, his voice laced with danger. "The ten-day deadline isn’t up yet. Couldn’t wait to come back?"
"Who else but you would bully me?" Evelyn suddenly smiled, though her eyes remained frozen.
Alexander’s expression darkened. He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You call that bullying?"
Flecks of sunlight scattered between them.
No.6
Evelyn turned her face away, her voice barely a whisper. "Think whatever you want."
Her indifference ignited his fury. He dragged her toward the car. "Enough games. I have business to attend to."
Just as Evelyn struggled, the vermilion gates of the Sullivan estate creaked open.
The butler emerged, his eyes flickering between them. "Mr. Kingsley, the master is expecting you."
Alexander shoved Evelyn toward Ethan Miller. "Keep an eye on her."
Inside the traditional hall, sandalwood incense curled through the air.
When Evelyn rose to use the restroom, Ethan followed like a guard dog. She glanced back. "Planning to follow me into the ladies' room?"
No.7
Ethan flushed and stopped at the corridor’s bend.
...
In the archives, Vincent Sullivan adjusted his reading glasses as he searched. "The butterfly brooch... Found it!"
Alexander took the yellowed catalog, his breath hitching. The brooch in the photo matched the one Evelyn treasured perfectly.
"Will you sell it to me?"
Vincent shook his head. "It was auctioned off a decade ago." He pointed at the record. "Charity auction. Proceeds went to an orphanage."
Alexander studied the date, brow furrowed. The timing was too coincidental.