Chapter 297

"Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans sent me to retrieve an important document." The impeccably dressed assistant stood at the foyer, his expression respectful.

Margaret set down her teacup with a clink. "What document requires such urgency?"

"It's the bid proposal for next week's tender. Mr. Evans needs to verify some data."

Margaret nodded. "Follow me."

Chloe Valentine sauntered out of her bedroom just in time to see them heading toward the study. Her eyes lit up.

She deliberately slowed her pace, lingering behind them. The study door swung open and shut—but the assistant's hasty exit left it slightly ajar.

Glancing around to confirm no one was watching, Chloe pushed open the normally locked door.

The sandalwood bookshelves emitted a faint woody scent. Neatly organized files stood behind glass panels. A tea set glowed warmly on the table by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Her gaze landed on the desk—where two manila folders lay carelessly open.

"Thought this was a restricted area," Chloe muttered, picking up one folder.

Inside were dense spreadsheets filled with technical jargon that made no sense to her.

"Whatever." She randomly pulled out a sheet, stuffed it into the other folder, and rearranged them exactly as she'd found them.

Margaret's voice drifted upstairs. "Mrs. Watson, have you seen Chloe?"

Chloe's heart skipped. She slipped out and leaned against the hallway wall, pretending to scroll through her phone.

"What are you doing here?" Margaret eyed her suspiciously.

"Better signal upstairs." Chloe waved her phone. "Pregnant women need entertainment. What's wrong with watching videos?"

Margaret frowned. "Less screen time. It's bad for the baby."

At dusk, Nathan returned looking weary.

He went straight upstairs and entered the study. His eyes narrowed at the folders on the desk.

Someone had switched them—the darker one belonged on top, but now the lighter one was in its place.

"Mom!" Nathan emerged with a stormy expression. "Who's been in my study?"

Margaret paused on the stairs. "Your assistant came for documents yesterday. Is something wrong?"