Chapter 606

Normally by now, he would have shot Alexander a warning glare to stay silent.

"I'm fine," Andrew Anderson waved absently. "Just worried you're working too hard and running yourself ragged."

Evelyn Carter's brow furrowed slightly.

Emily Anderson jumped in to mediate: "Sis, I'll join the company and help after graduation!"

"Focus on healing that leg first," Evelyn chuckled, ruffling her sister's hair.

Anthony Taylor seized the lull in tension: "Health is the foundation of everything. You young people always think you're invincible until you reach our age—"

He exchanged a knowing smile with Teresa Taylor, their crow's feet etching lifetimes of shared history.

Teresa gently squeezed her husband's hand. "Facing mortality teaches you nothing matters more than family being safe together."

"Exactly," Anthony's eyes grew misty. "After all it took for our families to reunite, we should visit more often."

Evelyn discreetly studied her adoptive parents' expressions. Seeing no resistance, the weight lifted from her chest.

Andrew remained quiet a beat before nodding. "We should."

The two fathers unexpectedly bonded over retirement plans.

Grace Anderson sighed. "We couldn't wait for the kids to grow up, but now the empty house just feels... hollow."

Aunt Margaret immediately empathized. "Just an old woman rattling around my empty nest. If Alexander didn't visit occasionally, I'd talk to the walls."

"Grandchildren would be lovely," Teresa murmured wistfully.

Evelyn's fingers curled involuntarily.

Alexander feigned composure, but his gaze kept drifting toward her.

"Don't tell me you're starting the marriage pressure!" Emily grabbed her crutches dramatically. "I'm outta here!"

Grace stifled a laugh. "Your sister's the priority. You're safe for now."

Evelyn grasped for diversion. "How about a pet? I have a Ragdoll cat—"

"Me! I want it!" Emily's eyes sparkled like constellations.

Alexander interjected smoothly: "Dogs are good too. They can accompany Uncle and Aunt on walks." His tone carried subtext. "Like the one you're fostering at your colleague's place."

Emily shrugged. "Puppy works too!"

Evelyn arched a brow at him before asking her parents: "Cat or dog preference?"

Grace hesitated. "Let's settle the move first. Too chaotic now."

Andrew suddenly turned solemn. "Evelyn, I won't push you. But marriage is serious—find someone who truly knows and cherishes you."

The dining room plunged into silence.

Alexander rubbed his nose, shifting uncomfortably.

Those criteria might as well have been drafted specifically as his youthful antithesis.