Chapter 542
No.1
She no longer saw him.
The realization tightened his chest.
......
The next morning, Evelyn ran into Madeline Kingsley just outside the residential complex.
"Come home with Grandma, dear," the elderly woman said with affection.
Evelyn's expression remained cold. "How did you know I was attending the summit?"
Mrs. Laurel, standing behind Madeline, quickly explained: "Mrs. Kingsley mentioned it last night—"
No.2
Evelyn had no patience for excuses and turned to leave.
"You can't go!" Madeline suddenly grew agitated. "Last year's summit had a pregnant woman trampled into miscarriage!"
Evelyn whirled around in shock.
Where did this absurd rumor come from?
"Come home with me!" Madeline signaled with her eyes.
Mrs. Laurel immediately seized Evelyn's arm.
"Let go!" Evelyn stomped hard on Mrs. Laurel's foot.
No.3
The maid yelped in pain and released her grip, allowing Evelyn to break free.
"Stop her!" Madeline barked.
Mrs. Laurel, still in pain, chased after Evelyn and grabbed her again.
Suddenly, Evelyn clutched her stomach and doubled over.
"Mrs. Laurel... why did you hit my stomach..." Her face went deathly pale, her voice trembling.
Mrs. Laurel jerked her hand back, face turning pale. "I—I didn't..."
Madeline Kingsley rushed forward in quick strides.
No.4
All she saw was Mrs. Laurel gripping Evelyn's arm. Fury and alarm twisted her features. "Evelyn! Are you hurt?"
Evelyn lifted her misty eyes. "Grandmother, don't blame Mrs. Laurel. She just... accidentally bumped my stomach with her elbow..."
Madeline trembled with rage, raising her hand to strike the maid.
"You foolish old woman!"
Mrs. Laurel scrambled backward, waving her hands frantically. "Madam, I truly didn't! I merely gave the young mistress a light tug—"
"I saw you yanking her violently!" Madeline snapped. "How dare you handle her so roughly when she's carrying a child?"
The maid hung her head under the scolding, then suddenly gasped. "Madam, check on the young mistress first!"
No.5
They both turned.
The spot where Evelyn had been crouching was now empty.
Madeline froze.
Mrs. Laurel shrieked, "Oh no! The young mistress faked it! I told you I didn't touch her! She framed me to escape!"
"Where is she?" Madeline spun in circles, frantic.
She'd sneaked out today alone with Mrs. Laurel.
After her last complaint at the Kingsley estate, even Eleanor had dismissed her concerns.
No.6
"Alexander knows his limits, and Evelyn isn't reckless," William Kingsley had said. "Mother, stop meddling."
That night, the family patriarch had reprimanded her severely.
Now, in the blink of an eye, Evelyn had vanished.
Their chaotic search yielded nothing. Convinced Evelyn had fled by car, they sped off in pursuit.
Only after their taillights disappeared did Evelyn emerge from the neighborhood shadows.
Her gaze was icy.
Madeline Kingsley had crossed too many lines.
No.7
Some lessons needed to be taught.
......
Between the old woman's interference and traffic delays, Evelyn arrived five minutes late at Regent Grand Hotel.
She'd secured only thirty minutes with Mr. Nash, chief aide to Winston Strauss.
But at the entrance, security blocked her path.
"A journalist is already meeting with Mr. Nash," the towering guard said flatly. "One appointment per slot."
Evelyn didn't force entry.