Chapter 470

Evelyn Carter had just set down her phone when the office door knocked.

"Dr. Carter, there's a package for you."

She accepted the envelope and opened it to find an embossed invitation.

"The medical summit next week?"

Emily Zade's call came right on cue: "Dr. Carter, did you receive the invitation? In previous years, it was always sent directly to Mr. Hamilton. This time I took the liberty of forwarding it to you."

"Thank you, but I'm not at home right now."

"Where are you? I'll arrange for redelivery immediately."

"Central Hospital."

Thirty minutes later, a courier placed the invitation in her hands.

Anthony Taylor smiled knowingly. "Go ahead. I'll take care of your mother here."

Evelyn traced the gilded edges of the invitation, watching the embossed letters glitter in sunlight.

She dialed home.

"Mom, is the house matter settled?"

Grace Anderson's voice was light. "All taken care of. Your father went drinking with his old friends. I'm at Auntie Lucy's place."

Hearing her mother resuming social activities, Evelyn exhaled in relief.

After hanging up, she began packing.

Vivian Dempsey's call interrupted her preparations.

"Grandma's here! Thanks to Aunt Margaret's help—"

"How's Grandma Dempsey's health?"

"Full of energy—already nagging me about marriage again." Vivian groaned before lowering her voice. "But you're right. Hearing her scold me is a blessing."

Evelyn suddenly coughed.

"Are you sick?" Vivian instantly detected the abnormality.

"Just a slight chill. Nothing serious."

Yet that very night, she developed a high fever.

On the flight day, Evelyn wore a mask, her forehead burning.

The check-in attendant handed her a boarding pass. "Have a pleasant journey."

Dizzy, she accepted it—only to spot two familiar figures in the VIP Access lane.

Alexander Hamilton and Lydia Laurent.

Last night's phone call flashed through her mind—

"Should we book tickets together?"

"No need."

She'd deliberately chosen the earliest flight. Yet fate intervened.

The cabin felt stifling and cramped.

Evelyn located her window seat beside a middle-aged businessman.

After takeoff, she requested hot water from a flight attendant to take medicine.

As drowsiness set in, she vaguely heard her neighbor speak.

"Could I get a blanket, please?"

That voice—

Evelyn forced her heavy eyelids open.

Alexander Hamilton, who should've been in First Class, now occupied the seat beside her.