Chapter 166

Vincent Wilson's words were abruptly cut short by urgent calls.

He hastily bowed to Evelyn Carter. "Sis, I need a favor."

Before she could respond, he vanished around the corner.

Evelyn followed his path with her gaze.

Annabelle Taylor stood there in simple attire—a white T-shirt, jeans, and a casually tied ponytail, her face bare of makeup.

That outfit...

"Grace, my eyes must be failing me," Auntie Lucy chuckled to Grace Anderson. "I almost mistook that girl for your Evelyn."

Grace squinted. "There is a resemblance."

"Though not as striking as Evelyn."

"Is this how young women dress nowadays? I thought only doctors like Evelyn wore such plain clothes."

Auntie Lucy lowered her voice. "Perhaps wealthy families prefer this understated look? See that man beside her—clearly from money."

She meant Vincent.

Evelyn recalled his unfinished sentence.

What were Alexander Hamilton and Annabelle planning today?

She didn’t care to know.

Whatever it was, being held at a hotel meant it was some kind of ceremony.

Now detached, Evelyn found herself observing them like a disinterested spectator.

Grace, however, noticed the oddity. "He called you 'sister-in-law'? What’s his relation to Alexander?"

"I’m not sure. I don’t involve myself in his business."

Grace squeezed her daughter’s hand. "Now that you’re divorced, don’t dwell on it. We were never meant for that world."

"Mm."

The hotel doors suddenly swung open.

Alexander strode in, his expression thunderous.

"Alexander..."

Annabelle called out timidly.

He didn’t glance back.

She hurried after him. "Alexander—"

He stopped abruptly, his gaze icy. "Don’t follow me."

Annabelle’s eyes reddened, her usual arrogance gone. "But today is our..."

"Annabelle." Margaret Hamilton’s voice cut in from behind.

Annabelle turned. "Mrs. Hamilton..."

Margaret approached, her face unreadable. "You know exactly how this engagement came about. Your mother threatened suicide, and Alexander agreed out of respect for our families’ history."

Annabelle bit her lip hard.

"Because of that child you claimed was his, Alexander became the laughingstock of the city. And now you insist on this farce, trampling the Hamiltons’ dignity?" Margaret’s laugh was cold. "Since your parents demanded it, I’ll represent our family today."

Annabelle paled. "That’s not—"

"Alexander is only here briefly. He’s leaving soon." Margaret turned away. "Let’s begin. No more delays."