Chapter 263

Evelyn practically leaped into the car.

Alexander's low chuckle followed her, tinged with amusement.

The interior smelled of fresh citrus mingled with leather.

She stared fixedly out the window until the two nurses disappeared around the corner, her tense shoulders finally relaxing slightly.

The culprit slid gracefully into the driver's seat, moving as if filming a commercial.

Evelyn clenched her fists.

He did this on purpose!

Alexander offered her a paper bag. She ignored it.

"What is it?"

"Roasted sweet potato."

"..."

"Peter may lack character, but he has good taste in food."

Evelyn turned away. "Not hungry."

"You enjoyed it last time he gave you some," Alexander mused. "Or does the same food taste different depending on who offers it?"

She drew a sharp breath. "Stop beating around the bush. Even without your reminders, I already noticed Peter's behavior was off."

"If I hadn't been at that dinner—"

"If you hadn't been there, he never would've taken me!" Evelyn cut in. "None of it would've happened."

Alexander narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly. "You're right. He was targeting me all along."

"So could you kindly back off, Mr. Hamilton?"

The engine roared as the car pulled out.

"I let you go once. Regretted it." His gaze remained fixed ahead. "Won't happen again."

Evelyn stiffened. "I have work!"

"Don't want to help Natalie anymore?"

"...I do."

"Aren't you curious why Simon suddenly lost interest in Lora?"

"You can just tell me what you found out."

Alexander glanced at her. "Evelyn, I'll help. But I require payment."

Her spine went rigid, fingers digging into the seat.

"Relax." He chuckled. "I just want more time with you."

After the divorce, Evelyn's strategy was simple—avoidance.

Caring for her sister was the excuse; escaping him was the truth.

Time heals all wounds.

Vivian took ten years to move on, and now she's thriving.

What were her problems compared to that?

Sometimes she wondered—if Peter had been more reliable, maybe she should've married him first.

That legal barrier might've made even Alexander think twice, if only for Hamilton Group's stock price.

Too bad.

Peter was even more deceptive than Simon.

Simon's ambition was obvious, but Peter played the long game—even fooling their parents.

If she'd been any slower to realize, actually married him and bought property together...

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Evelyn snapped back to reality. "Just wondering how the busy CEO of Hamilton Group has time to chauffeur me around."