Chapter 711

Lydia Laurent's fingers twisted together until her knuckles turned white. Her lips curved into a sweet smile, but her eyes were terrifyingly hollow. "Alexander, we finally have time alone. Let's not talk about others, okay?"

Her voice was feather-light, laced with bone-chilling obsession.

"You promised it would be just the two of us in the capital last time..." Her nails dug deep into her palms. "I know you went to see her that night. I stayed awake all night thinking... One day, we'll be like that too..."

Dawn had barely broken when Evelyn Carter jolted awake from a nightmare.

She sat up abruptly, her forehead damp with cold sweat. The empty living room of the old house held only her.

When she'd returned Alexander's belongings in the early hours, Aunt Margaret was still awake. If they couldn't find him today...

"Dr. Carter, are you worried about my brother?" Lily Waters rubbed her sleepy eyes and tugged gently at Evelyn's sleeve.

Evelyn opened her mouth but only managed to massage her temples wearily. "Why are you up so early? Go back to sleep."

"I'm worried about you." Lily leaned closer, whispering, "Lotus says that fake cop last night looked like the man who was following you before."

Evelyn's chest tightened. She'd suspected the same, but what unsettled her more were the strange behaviors of those people in the conference room.

At the breakfast table, only Baby Chloe ate happily. Evelyn mechanically chewed her food, tasting nothing.

"Waaah—" The baby suddenly let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Grace Anderson and Auntie Wu fumbled to soothe her, but the little one's face turned red as she stretched her tiny hands desperately toward Evelyn.

"This child only recognizes you and Alexander." Margaret Hamilton wrung her hands anxiously. "Evelyn, maybe you could go to the office later?"

As soon as Evelyn took the baby, the crying stopped instantly. Small fingers clutched tightly at her hair.

Her heart melted completely, but with Alexander missing, she had to go to the company. With all drivers dispatched to search for him, she had no choice but to drive herself.

"Dr. Carter, let me hold her." Lily pulled Lotus over. "I took care of Lotus when he was little."

Margaret and Grace exchanged a glance before quickly preparing the baby supplies.

During the ride, Lily and Lotus guarded the baby like two little sentinels on either side.

At the office, the project manager repeatedly came to pick fights. Evelyn remained composed, subtly planting seeds of doubt in return.

"Ms. Carter, you look unwell." Young Zhao said with concern.

Evelyn shook her head. "Notify me immediately if there's any news."

After work, she declined the company driver. Zhao had taken people to investigate Lydia's whereabouts—she only trusted herself now.

As the car merged onto the main road, Evelyn's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

"Baby was so good today." She glanced in the rearview mirror. "Usually even my mother can't..."

BANG!

The deafening crash cut her off.

Evelyn slammed the brakes, narrowly avoiding a pileup. Two cars had collided ahead, their drivers now shouting furiously.

"Everyone okay?" She turned to check on the children.

Before the words fully left her mouth, a tremendous impact struck from the side.

The world spun violently.

The seatbelt choked her, but she still threw herself backward, shielding the children with her body.

"Hold on!" Lotus roared, gripping his sister and the baby carrier with all his strength.

The screech of twisting metal pierced their ears.

When the rolling car finally stopped, Evelyn's head slammed hard against the seat. Fighting dizziness, she struggled to unbuckle herself.

"Baby! Lily! Lotus!" Her voice came out hoarse, unrecognizable.

"We're okay!" Lotus called from the back. "But the baby's terrified."

The infant's wails tore through the air.

Evelyn fumbled for her phone, only to find the screen shattered. Blood dripped from her glass-cut fingers onto the broken device.