Chapter 116

Simon Stapleton's smile froze. He scrambled to explain, "Evelyn, you misunderstood—that's not what I meant..."

"Pathetic," Annabelle scoffed, her gaze sweeping over him with disdain. "A grown man cowering before an old classmate. No wonder Alexander thinks so little of you."

Simon immediately switched to an ingratiating grin. "Jane, we've known each other for years. Now that you're Mrs. Hamilton, surely you could put in a good word for this partnership..."

"I can try," Annabelle lifted her chin. "But whether Alexander listens isn't up to me."

"Everyone in H City knows how devoted he is to his wife," Simon fawned.

A smug smile curled Annabelle's lips. "Don't exaggerate. People might think I'm some kind of tyrant."

"It just shows how much he values you—"

Mid-conversation, they suddenly realized Evelyn had vanished.

Simon shifted uneasily. "You don't think she actually went to complain to Alexander, do you?"

"She wouldn't dare," Annabelle sniffed. "Probably couldn't stomach hearing how well Alexander treats me and left in a huff."

Simon rubbed his hands together. "Right, especially since she's the one who got dumped..."

"Still, watch your step with her father," Annabelle narrowed her eyes. "I hear he holds Evelyn in high regard."

Simon suddenly chuckled. "He wouldn't dare either."

"Oh?"

"His daughter and grandson are under my thumb," Simon lowered his voice. "For their sake, the old man has to play nice."

——

Outside the supermarket, Evelyn struggled with two overstuffed shopping bags.

Abandoning the idea of waiting for the bus, she set them down and pulled out her phone to call a cab.

Five minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of her new apartment building.

"Next time, bring your husband along, miss," the driver advised kindly as he helped unload the groceries.

"I'm single," Evelyn replied flatly.

"Then who's that...?"

Following the driver's gaze, she spotted a familiar figure approaching from the building's entrance.