Chapter 247

"You begged him?" Evelyn frowned. "Wasn't it their design institute that sought cooperation first?"

Alexander leaned back in his seat, exhaustion lining his brow. "This neighborhood is employee welfare housing—collectively owned. The original company went bankrupt and urgently needs to liquidate assets. If I don't take over, other developers will only give residents three months to relocate."

Evelyn's pupils contracted slightly. "Then Mr. Harrison—"

"State-owned design institutes have faster approval processes." His fingers tapped the steering wheel. "I need speed. He wants the project. Mutual benefit."

"I don't understand much about construction."

"Leave it to me." Alexander turned his head, the warm glow of streetlights reflecting in his eyes. "The amusement park is just a preliminary idea. The priority now is relocation."

Evelyn recalled that rainy night.

The way he'd pounded on her car window.

"That day—" Alexander's lips twisted wryly. "You said you didn't want to see me."

"So you deliberately kept me here tonight to explain all this?"

"And Simon Stapleton." He shifted topics abruptly. "Lora, that film school graduate, is quite the actress."

Evelyn scoffed. "He must be thrilled to have latched onto another wealthy heiress."

"Timed the divorce perfectly?"

"Vivian told you?"

"She just said we needed a richer only daughter than the Stapletons." Alexander smirked. "Where would I find such a heiress in Hudson City?"

"What about Oceanic Group—"

"They've been notified." His gaze steadied. "This conveniently helps dispel their heir rumors too."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. "At least no real person was involved."

"I'll handle the cleanup. Don't worry." Alexander suddenly leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. "Next time, come to me directly. No need for Vivian to relay messages."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

"That day at the mall, seeing your luxury shopping bags made everything click." His low chuckle vibrated through the night air. "Miss Dempsey just tossed out a 'figure it out yourself' and left."

Evelyn turned her face away. "I'll tell Natalie the truth."

"We helped her together." Alexander's voice melted into the darkness. "If she wants to thank someone, it should be both of us."