Chapter 460

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains into the dining room. Evelyn Carter gently slid a bank card across the table to her parents.

"What's this?" Grace Anderson picked up the card with a puzzled expression.

Evelyn took a sip of soy milk. "A loan from Vivian. Two million."

Andrew Anderson immediately set down his chopsticks. "I thought the Dempseys were having financial troubles too?"

"She said it's her personal savings." Evelyn unlocked her phone. "You can call and ask her yourself if you'd like."

Grace quickly intervened. "Vivian is such a good friend. Evelyn, we should invite her over for dinner soon. We need to properly thank her for such generosity."

"She's busy these days." Evelyn picked up a piece of fried egg. "We'll arrange it when things settle down."

Andrew frowned. "This money isn't from Alexander, is it?"

"No." Evelyn's reply was firm.

Seeing her daughter's calm expression, Andrew finally relaxed. "We should still pay interest—standard bank rates."

"Agreed." Evelyn nodded. "Though she might refuse it."

"Whether she accepts is her choice. Offering is our responsibility!"

After breakfast, father and daughter headed straight to the bank. Evelyn watched closely as the teller processed the transaction, only breathing easy when the loan clearance certificate printed out.

By the time they returned home, Grace and Emily Anderson had prepared a full spread of dishes.

"I want to enroll Emily in a summer program," Evelyn suddenly announced. "One of those international university exchange programs."

Grace hesitated. "Shouldn't we focus on repaying the debt first...?"

"It's a rare opportunity." Evelyn placed a spare rib on her sister's plate. "Good for building independence and improving her English."

Emily nibbled her chopsticks. "Sis, isn't it expensive?"

"Just focus on doing well." Evelyn paused. "And remember—don't answer any calls from Peter."

As long as Emily left Hudson City, Peter Harrison could never threaten her again.

When leaving that afternoon, Grace pressed a bundle of homemade pickles into Evelyn's hands. "Come home when you're tired. And eat on time."

Evelyn lowered her head as she accepted it, afraid her parents might see her reddening eyes.

Just as she reached the neighborhood gates, her phone buzzed. A text from Gregory Wilson: 【All settled?】

Evelyn replied: 【Yes. I'll repay you as soon as possible.】

An instant response: 【How about dinner then?】

Evelyn stared at the screen for several seconds before typing: 【You pick the place.】

Her phone rang immediately. Gregory's voice brimmed with excitement. "You're really treating me to dinner?"

"It's the least I can do."

"How about cashing in on that promise you made—homecooked meal by you?"

Evelyn froze. That had been an offhand remark ages ago. She hadn't expected him to remember.

"Alright." She checked the time. "I'll go grocery shopping now."

After hanging up, Evelyn detoured to the supermarket for a live fish. When she returned arms full of groceries, Gregory was already waiting at her doorstep with White Coat in his arms.

"The vet says he's recovering well." Gregory set the puppy down. "Though his fur might take a while to grow back."

White Coat circled Evelyn excitedly, his hind legs showing no signs of injury.

"He needs fish oil supplements." Evelyn scratched behind the dog's ears.

Gregory produced a bottle like magic. "Just happened to buy some."

Evelyn could only offer a quiet thank you.

In the kitchen, Gregory deftly tied on an apron. By the time Evelyn had finished rinsing vegetables, he'd already chopped all the ingredients.

"I was supposed to cook," Evelyn protested.

Gregory waved the knife playfully. "Two cooks work faster. I'm starving."