Chapter 311

"Your mother has been held back for far too long."

Simon Croix's words cut through Evelyn Langley's heart like a dull blade.

Her fingers turned cold as she stared at her phone screen.

Simon requested a direct meeting with Victoria Langley.

"Mother is in the neighboring city," Evelyn explained softly. "And her contract with Penelope Ashcroft hasn't expired yet..."

She didn't want her mother to learn about this prematurely.

Creative work required undisturbed focus.

"Contract?" Simon seized the keyword. "Send it to me."

Evelyn forwarded the digital copy.

"No rush." Simon's voice remained steady. "Let me review the contract first. Your mother—I'm signing her!"

The declaration made Evelyn freeze.

Simon only signed works, never authors.

Had she misheard?

Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought.

On the video call, William Langley set down his teacup.

"Evelyn, what's wrong?"

"Nothing serious." She forced a smile. "Please don't tell Mom yet."

"Alright."

After hanging up, night had deepened.

Evelyn cleared the dishes and took out the trash.

The early summer breeze carried damp warmth as streetlights stretched her shadow long.

The recent stalking incident still haunted her.

She turned back home before walking far.

Water rushed in the shower.

Drying her hair, Evelyn settled at her desk and opened her thesis.

Her phone vibrated.

Ethan Winston: Busy?

She stared at the screen for seconds.

Evelyn: What is it?

Ethan: Miss you.

The two words made her heart skip.

Before she could reply, another message appeared:

Can I call?

Evelyn inhaled deeply: Sure.

The call connected instantly.

"They caught the stalker," Ethan's voice came through. "Solid evidence."

"How?"

"If I want someone found, they will be."

His tone bordered on arrogance.

But Evelyn knew he had the means.

"Don't go out alone at night." He paused. "I worry."

"Mm."

"That's it?" Ethan sounded displeased. "Not even a thank you?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together: "...Thank you."

"How insincere."

"What do you want then?"

A low chuckle traveled through the phone: "Tell you tomorrow in person."

"I have experiments tomorrow—"

"Surely you have fifteen minutes for lunch?"

"So urgent?"

"Too short?" Amusement laced his voice. "Want half a day instead?"

"...Fifteen minutes is fine."

"See you then."

Ending the call, Evelyn turned off her desk lamp.

In the darkness, she exhaled softly.