Chapter 572

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. Evelyn Carter rubbed her temples and quietly got up to wash.

She chose a crisp professional suit and adjusted the collar in the mirror.

Her phone lit up with a message from Alexander Hamilton: Breakfast is in the warmer. Don’t forget to eat.

Evelyn didn’t reply. She grabbed her briefcase and left.

A line had already formed outside the city library. She swiped her card and headed straight for the business section.

Just as she opened Corporate Strategy Management, her phone buzzed.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" Alexander’s voice carried urgency.

"Library," she whispered.

"Why aren’t you answering my calls?"

"Silent mode."

A pause. "Lunch together?"

"No need. I brought a sandwich."

"Evelyn—"

"Anything else? I’m studying."

She hung up and took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus.

At noon, the café smelled richly of coffee.

Evelyn had just taken a bite when the glass door swung open.

Alexander strode in with a thermal bag, beads of sweat on his forehead.

"Aunt Wu made soup. Drink it while it’s hot."

He unpacked the dishes one by one. The aroma filled the air instantly.

"You’re sick?" She noticed his reddened nose.

He coughed lightly. "Aircon was too low last night."

She didn’t press further, sipping the soup in silence.

"I’m going furniture shopping this afternoon," he said abruptly.

"Oh?"

"Mom’s moving back to the old house. Need new furnishings."

Her chopsticks stilled. "Margaret’s returning?"

"Mm. The renovations are done." He placed fish on her plate. "Also, don’t answer unknown calls."

"Why?"

"Overseas scams are rampant." His tone was casual. "Especially from Southeast Asia."

Evelyn nodded thoughtfully.

Monday morning. Cars crowded the entrance of Carter Group’s headquarters.

Evelyn stepped into the elevator, her sharp jawline reflected in the mirrored walls.

Conversations ceased when she pushed open the conference room door.

Two dozen pairs of eyes locked onto her.

She walked straight to the head of the table, her black blazer radiating authority.

"Director Carter." A middle-aged man on her right spoke first. "Gregory Macmillan, Business Division."

She inclined her head slightly. "Manager Macmillan."

"Heard you studied medicine?" He adjusted his glasses. "Should we brief you on our projects first?"

Light chuckles rippled through the room.

Evelyn calmly opened a file. "The South District project under Manager Macmillan’s leadership saw a 15% profit drop last quarter."

Macmillan paled.

"Care to explain?" She lifted her gaze, eyes piercing.