Chapter 53

Vivian Dempsey gripped Evelyn Carter's wrist, pushing through the dense crowd.

"Excuse me! Move aside, please!"

Evelyn stumbled, nearly colliding with a passerby.

"Vivian, slow down—"

"Slow down? The show'll be over by then!" Vivian didn’t look back, charging forward.

When she finally saw the two people arguing outside the restaurant, she skidded to a stop.

"Holy—" Her eyes widened as she turned to Evelyn. "This is the 'show' you meant?"

Evelyn gave a small nod.

Vivian scoffed. "What’s Alexander Hamilton playing at? Didn’t he love Annabelle Taylor for twenty years? Now he can’t resist someone who just vaguely resembles you?"

Annabelle’s shrill voice cut through the restaurant’s noise.

"What kind of service is this?! Don’t you see I’m pregnant?!"

The young waiter bowed his head, clutching a queue ticket. "Ma’am, we’ve already arranged a sofa for you—"

"A sofa won’t feed me! I’m starving!" Annabelle slapped the ticket out of his hand. "I’m reporting this place!"

Murmurs rippled through the waiting crowd.

"Who does she think she is?"

"Some lawyer. Thinks being pregnant means she can skip the line."

"Two hours we’ve waited. Being a lawyer doesn’t make her special."

A young mother holding her baby whispered, "This place specializes in seafood. Pregnant women shouldn’t even be here..."

Alexander stood nearby, his expression dark. He reached for Annabelle’s arm. "Annabelle, let’s just go somewhere else—"

"No! I’m eating here today!"

Her gaze suddenly locked onto Evelyn in the crowd.

"Well, if it isn’t Dr. Carter?" Annabelle smirked, raising her voice. "What a coincidence. Or did you follow us here?"

Alexander whipped around. The moment he saw Evelyn, he froze.

Vivian immediately stepped in front of Evelyn. "Get over yourself! You don’t own this place. Are you the only ones allowed to eat here?"

Annabelle narrowed her eyes. "Someone’s defensive. Could it be—" She glanced pointedly at Alexander.

"Vivian, let’s go," Evelyn said softly.

"Go? No way!" Vivian planted her hands on her hips. "We’re eating here tonight! Waiter, get us a number!"

The waiter practically threw the ticket at her in relief.

Annabelle’s face twisted. "Alexander! Are you just going to let them—"

But Alexander’s eyes stayed fixed on Evelyn, words caught in his throat.

Vivian snorted, pulling Evelyn away. "Some people really think they’re the center of the universe. News flash—he’s not the only man in the world."