Chapter 605

The dining room of the Anderson villa hadn't been this lively in years. The crystal chandelier cast a soft glow over the meticulously set table. Anthony Taylor had brought out his treasured blue-and-white porcelain dinnerware, each piece gleaming with a gentle luster.

The elders gathered around the main table while Evelyn Carter sat with her younger sister. Alexander Hamilton quietly took his seat beside his mother, Margaret Hamilton, who sighed softly at her son's unspoken tension.

The table was laden with nourishing medicinal dishes, each carefully prepared by a nutritionist. Anthony uncorked a vintage Bordeaux and personally filled Andrew Anderson's glass.

"Andrew, this toast is for you." Anthony drained his glass in one gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing as his eyes reddened slightly. "Thank you for raising Evelyn so well."

Teresa Taylor raised her glass, her voice soft but firm. "We owe Evelyn so much. Please review these documents—everything from the Taylor family will be hers."

Andrew stared at the thick stack of notarized papers, his calloused fingers tracing the rim of his glass. Suddenly, he threw back his drink and slammed the glass down. "Just promise me one thing—you won't let Evelyn suffer again."

"Absolutely!" Anthony's voice trembled with emotion.

Evelyn, who had been serving her sister, looked up at her adoptive father's red-rimmed eyes. Her chest tightened as she stood to replace both men's wine with grape juice. "The doctors said you should drink less."

As she turned, her fingertips accidentally brushed Alexander's hand. The fleeting contact sent an electric jolt through her, and she jerked back, sending a porcelain spoon clattering onto her plate.

The dining room fell silent.

Alexander's ears turned visibly red. He froze until Margaret broke the tension with a smile. "Evelyn, try this soup. I learned the recipe from Auntie Marry."

"It's delicious." Evelyn took a small sip, her expression hidden behind the rising steam.

Seizing the moment, Teresa placed a peeled tomato on her daughter's plate. "I remember how much you hated tomato skins as a child..."

"Thank you." Evelyn's polite reply came without lifting her gaze.

Andrew studied his daughter for a long moment before saying abruptly, "Evelyn, come home for a few days if work is too much. Your mother's been practicing new recipes..."

"Dad, I've hired an assistant and driver." Evelyn's voice was gentle. "Mr. Hamilton helped vet them."

All eyes turned to Alexander, who sat ramrod straight. "Emily Zade is a longtime Hamilton Group employee, and Daisy Lee is an excellent driver—"

Evelyn suddenly grasped her father's hand. "Dad, are you feeling unwell?"

Andrew's fingers trembled slightly. He avoided her concerned gaze. "It's nothing. Just... happiness."

Silence reclaimed the dining room. Outside, twilight enveloped the garden as the last rays of sunset filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled light across the floor.