Chapter 537

Andrew Anderson and Teresa Taylor exchanged a pained glance.

"You're right," Andrew admitted, his silver hair stark under the light. "That day at the train station, my wife was holding little Terry when the crowd swallowed them. One moment she was there, the next—gone." His voice cracked. "My wife collapsed when we got home. She barely survived."

Andrew, now a father of two daughters himself, softened slightly but kept his brow furrowed. "Yet you turned around and adopted another girl—even gave her a similar name!"

The mention of Annabelle Taylor was a thorn lodged deep in everyone’s heart.

"It was thoughtless of me," Andrew rasped. "After three years with no leads, the police said hope was slim. My wife... she tried to end it all. I was desperate." His gaze shifted to Evelyn. "Never imagined fate would twist things this way."

Evelyn’s fingers clenched around her sleeve.

A stand-in for a stand-in. How cruel.

Alexander Hamilton’s knuckles whitened, his expression stormy.

"Evelyn is your flesh and blood!" Andrew slammed the table. "And what did you do? Let someone steal her place, watched her suffer, and now that your company’s crumbling, you remember her?!"

Evelyn reached for her father. "Dad, please—"

"Stay out of this!" He shook her off, eyes blazing. "Today, I’m getting justice for you. Twenty-plus years of silence, and now you think a few pretty words will make up for it?"

Andrew bowed his head in shame. "You’re right, Mr. Anderson. We’ve failed Evelyn terribly. We don’t ask for forgiveness—just a chance to make amends."

"Amends?" Andrew scoffed. "Your ‘amends’ cost my daughter her dreams!"

Evelyn’s nose stung. "Dad..."

"You’ve always been so strong," Andrew murmured, voice thick. "The day you got into med school, I bragged to the whole factory for a month. When you became a doctor, I walked taller than ever..."

His calloused hand rested on her head. "But now you’d give up your scalpel for them? That breaks my heart."

Tears spilled as Evelyn buried herself in his arms. "I’m not giving up! Once Hamilton Group stabilizes, I’ll return—"

"Easy for you to say!" Andrew shot Alexander a glare. "Was this your idea?"

Alexander straightened. "Uncle, I’ve already spoken to the dean—"

"Enough!" Andrew cut him off. "My daughter’s life isn’t yours to meddle in!" He turned to Andrew, iron in his tone. "If you want her back, keep that bastard away from her."

Andrew nodded hastily. "Whatever Evelyn wants."

"Dad~" Evelyn tugged his arm playfully. "Don’t you trust me?"

Andrew’s sternness eased. He drained his teacup in one go. "My girl’s never failed at anything she set her mind to!"

Evelyn laughed through her tears, refilling his cup. "Slow down. It’s hot."