Chapter 455

Annabelle Taylor subtly guided Lydia Laurent toward Evelyn Carter while linking arms with her.

"Annabelle, I think Evelyn is busy with something..." Lydia hesitated, slowing her steps.

Annabelle maintained a perfectly poised smile. "Tonight is your special night. Everyone should be coming to greet you."

Lydia nodded blankly.

Evelyn noticed the movement and looked up to see Annabelle leading Lydia over. Her eyes instinctively scanned the room, but Alexander Hamilton was nowhere in sight.

"Manager Winston, it's been a while." Annabelle extended her hand to Sophia Winston.

Sophia frowned slightly before resuming her professional smile. "And you are?"

"Annabelle Taylor, former legal director of Hamilton Group."

Sophia's expression cleared. "Ah, Miss Taylor."

Satisfied, Annabelle nudged Lydia forward half a step. "This is Miss Lydia Laurent. I'm sure you've heard of her."

Lydia gave a timid nod. "Hello, Manager Winston."

"Happy birthday, Miss Laurent." Sophia raised her glass politely but looked apologetic. "Forgive me, I'm trying to conceive and can't drink alcohol."

Vivian Dempsey swiftly handed Lydia a glass of juice.

Lydia's cheeks were already flushed. She pressed a hand to her forehead. "I'm feeling a bit unwell. I should rest for a moment."

Annabelle immediately took her place, engaging Sophia in conversation with the ease of a hostess.

Vivian leaned close to Evelyn's ear. "Since when did this white lotus become a matchmaker?"

"Who knows," Evelyn replied flatly.

Nearby, Lydia steadied herself against the staircase railing. Spotting Evelyn, her eyes brightened. "Evelyn!"

"Happy birthday," Evelyn and Vivian said simultaneously.

Lydia beamed. "Thank you for coming. Annabelle says I need to meet more people so I can help Alexander in the future."

Evelyn's brow furrowed slightly. "You should discuss that with Alexander first."

"But..." Lydia blinked in confusion. "Annabelle said what happened is in the past, and I should be magnanimous."

Vivian couldn't resist interjecting. "Sweetheart, a man should handle his baggage before marriage. You're young—don't let some older man take advantage of you."

"Alexander is only eight years older!" Lydia protested earnestly. "And he's always been wonderful to me."

"If Alexander Hamilton were reliable, pigs could fly," Vivian scoffed. "His ex-wife thought the same thing."

"Ex-wife?" Lydia's eyes widened. "He was married to Annabelle?"

Vivian realized her slip and opened her mouth to backtrack when a deep male voice cut in:

"Manager Winston, our last collaboration succeeded thanks to your company."

Alexander had appeared behind Lydia without notice, though his gaze remained fixed on Sophia.