Chapter 226

Evelyn Carter explained her plan in detail to Vivian Dempsey.

Vivian's face immediately twisted in disgust at the mention of Alexander Hamilton's name, her brows furrowing so tightly they could crush a fly.

But as Evelyn laid out the entire scheme, Vivian's expression gradually softened.

"Leave it to me!" Vivian thumped her chest confidently.

"Not so fast. The key is to make Natalie Stapleton completely give up."

After work, Evelyn met Natalie at a café near the hospital.

When Natalie appeared, Evelyn barely recognized her.

Was this gaunt woman really the cherished daughter of the hospital director?

The loose maternity dress hung on Natalie's frame like a sack.

Her alarming thinness made her swollen belly appear grotesquely prominent.

Only four months pregnant, yet her stomach looked unnaturally large.

Natalie twisted her fingers nervously. "Evelyn..."

Her voice was hoarse, as if she'd cried all night.

Evelyn quickly ordered her a hot milk.

"Natalie, what happened to you?"

Natalie's eyes were hollow. "Constant fighting. I'm exhausted."

"With your mother-in-law?"

"And his entire extended family."

Evelyn's chest tightened. "Where are you living now?"

"His hometown."

"Pine Hill?"

"Further." Natalie answered mechanically. "Take an old train, then switch to an unlicensed car for over an hour through mountain roads."

Evelyn felt suffocated. "Does your father know?"

"I can't tell him." Natalie spoke numbly. "Dad's getting old. Seeing me like this would destroy him."

Her terrifying calmness resembled an empty shell devoid of soul.

"Evelyn, please don't tell my father."

"How long can you hide this?"

"As long as possible." Natalie suddenly grabbed Evelyn's hand. "Actually, I came to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Can you... let me and the baby go together?"

Evelyn shot up from her seat. "Are you insane?!"

Natalie's tears burst forth like a dam breaking.

In full view of strangers, she collapsed into Evelyn's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Evelyn knew this wasn't the place for such talk.

She quickly booked a nearby hotel room and helped Natalie into a taxi.