Chapter 501

Evelyn frowned slightly.

Was she referring to Lydia?

"Dr. Carter, what do you think of my perfume?"

Evelyn was caught off guard by the sudden question. "I don’t know much about perfumes."

"This one’s called Afternoon Delight. Mr. Hamilton thinks it’s too sweet, but I love it. What about you?"

So this was the infamous Afternoon Delight.

Evelyn replied flatly, "It’s alright."

"Seems you share his taste—neither of you likes this scent."

"Occupational habit. I’m sensitive to perfumes."

"What a shame." Sophia Winston studied her with a knowing look. "But Dr. Carter, you didn’t even flinch at such a suggestive name?"

Evelyn cleared her throat. "Alexander mentioned it."

Sophia’s eyes lit up. "I see."

What exactly did she see?

Leaning in, Sophia whispered, "I was talking about the perfume. He meant the real morning after, didn’t he?"

Evelyn: "..."

"Hahaha, Mr. Hamilton moves fast, doesn’t he?"

Evelyn started to explain, "That day—"

Sophia suddenly pressed a finger to her lips and nodded toward the path behind her. "Someone’s looking for you."

Evelyn turned and saw Alexander striding toward them.

Their eyes met on the cobblestone path.

With his jacket draped over his arm, Alexander took quick steps forward when he noticed her standing in the chilly night breeze. Without a word, he wrapped the jacket around her shoulders. "Why are you out here?"

"Taking a walk."

He moved closer. "If you don’t want to see me, I can switch to a room farther away. Just don’t wander off at night."

Evelyn chuckled. "Where could I possibly go in such a small place?"

"I brought dinner to your room earlier, but you weren’t there. I thought—"

"Thought what?"

Alexander sighed. "Have you forgotten what happened with the Dempseys? It was because I let my guard down, assuming their place was safe, that you got kidnapped."

"This is your territory. Who would dare make a move under Mr. Hamilton’s watch?" She changed the subject. "Though the people here are quite interesting."

Alexander tensed immediately. "Who did you meet?"

His mind raced through countless possibilities, but Evelyn simply said, "I ran into Miss Winston."

"Sophia’s here?" He clearly hadn’t known.

Evelyn walked back calmly. "We had quite a chat."

Alexander couldn’t hold back. "What did she say to you?"

He stopped mid-sentence, as if afraid of being misunderstood. Amused, Evelyn smiled. "Mr. Hamilton, are you afraid of me meeting Sophia? Or... are you feeling guilty?"

Alexander exhaled. "Why would I feel guilty? I just don’t want you to misunderstand. My past mistakes haven’t been cleared up yet. One more misunderstanding, and I’d never be able to prove my innocence."

His tone softened. "Whatever she said, I’m not worried because there’s nothing between us. That day at Celestial Club, I just wanted you to see me with her—"

"To make me care about you?" Evelyn finished his sentence. "She said the same thing."

Alexander relaxed slightly. "What else did you talk about?"

"How you saved her like a knight in shining armor, giving her a new lease on life."

He raised an eyebrow. "That’s it?"

"What else? Should we have discussed your moon-watching escapades?"

Evelyn tightened the jacket around her and started walking back. The mountain breeze was indeed chilly.

Alexander followed leisurely. "I just helped her out once. Didn’t expect her to remember it all this time."

Evelyn didn’t respond, instead asking, "Do you go to Celestial Club often?"

He stiffened. "Business gatherings. I won’t go anymore."

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to interfere with your personal life."

Alexander wasn’t surprised by her deflection. He leaned in suddenly and sniffed. "What’s that smell?"

Evelyn checked her sleeve. "Probably Sophia’s perfume."

She added, "Afternoon Delight."

Alexander immediately frowned.

"I don’t like that scent."

"Neither do I."

They walked silently along the corridor.

The night stretched quietly between them.

As they neared the lobby, Alexander finally spoke. "I was impulsive today. Forget what I said. Let’s stick to the original plan—sorting out the Anderson Group’s situation first, alright?"

Evelyn stopped. "And the condition?"

"...Watch the moon with me."

Before she could answer, Evelyn caught sight of a figure in the lobby and instinctively stepped away from Alexander.

Lydia was checking in at the front desk. When she noticed them entering from the garden, her eyes flickered with something unreadable.

But in an instant, she was all smiles again. "Alexander! Dr. Carter!"

In the dim light, Evelyn almost thought she’d imagined it.

This time, Alexander didn’t ignore her. "Why are you here? Where’s your father?"

Lydia held a delicate clutch, a bellboy pushing her luggage behind her—she must have come straight from the airport.

"Dad said he had business to attend to back in the city. I didn’t want to stay in the capital alone."

Alexander said, "There are plenty of places to visit there."

"Oh!" Lydia suddenly pulled something from her suitcase and handed it to him. "I almost forgot. Annabelle asked me to give this to you when I had the chance."