Chapter 423

Vivian Dempsey slammed her coffee cup onto the table, her eyes bloodshot. "The bank only gave us one week."

Evelyn Carter studied her friend's exhausted face before glancing at the red sports car parked outside. "You're really selling it?"

"Desperate times," Vivian said with a bitter smile. "A car worth over a million, sold for three hundred thousand."

"Can't you wait a little longer?"

"No." Vivian shook her head. "Other buyers need loan approvals—that takes at least two weeks."

Evelyn frowned. "Have you been drinking?"

Vivian tugged at her lips. "Just a little. Thinking about becoming a corporate slave to pay off debts keeps me up at night." She let out a self-deprecating laugh. "I should've learned from Natalie—at least luxury goods can be returned."

"You're selling your bags too?"

"Posted them online." Vivian sighed. "The factory loan is over ten million. This is just a drop in the bucket." She suddenly leaned in. "Maybe I should seduce Alexander Hamilton?"

Evelyn's expression darkened. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Just kidding." Vivian waved her off. "Worst case, I start over. Who knows? Maybe I'll become the female version of Jack Ma."

Evelyn pressed her lips together. Vivian had stood by her without hesitation before, yet now she could do nothing to help.

"Stop looking like that." Vivian pinched her cheek. "My dad said we should thank whoever lent us that private jet."

"It wasn't Alexander."

Vivian froze. "Then who?"

Evelyn dialed Anthony Taylor's number. After hanging up, she said, "We're having dinner at his friend's place tonight."

That afternoon, while helping Vivian transfer the car title, the buyer paid in cash and sped away as if afraid she'd change her mind.

Watching the car disappear, Vivian murmured, "Now I understand why men treat their cars like wives."

They took a taxi to the hospital to meet Anthony. On the way, Evelyn asked, "What about Mom?"

"Natalie and four nurses are with her." Anthony gave her a gentle look. "I'm on duty tonight."

"I'll take the night shift."

Anthony smiled without responding.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of a familiar neighborhood. Vivian gasped. "Isn't this your marital home with Alexander?"

Anthony explained, "My friend just moved here. Said it's livelier."

Evelyn's heartbeat quickened. With each step, memories grew sharper.

When the elevator stopped on the familiar floor, realization struck.

The door opened to Auntie Marry's cheerful voice: "Madam, you're here!"

Margaret Hamilton rushed forward. "Come in! I made all your favorite dishes."

Vivian's eyes widened. "Mrs. Hamilton, it was you who lent us the jet?"

Anthony chuckled. "We've been neighbors for decades."

Margaret guided Evelyn to the table. "How is your grandmother, Miss Dempsey?"

"The surgery went well. Thank you." Vivian handed over supplements. "These are good for hypertension."

"How thoughtful." Margaret suddenly raised her voice. "Auntie Marry, when is Alexander getting back?"

Auntie Marry checked the clock. "He should—"

The sound of a turning key cut her off.