Chapter 735

Evelyn Carter knew about Bianca Langley's situation, but it remained a secret between her and Alexander Hamilton—something even Vivian Dempsey couldn't be told. She gripped Vivian's hand anxiously. "Did Vincent Croix cause trouble for you?"

"Not exactly." A faint smile touched Vivian's lips. "The loan was smaller than expected, but it's enough to revive Dempsey Group. With that big order from Laurent Corporation, the company is finally back on its feet. At least I can give my father a proper report when he returns."

For her first time managing a company, Vivian had done remarkably well.

Evelyn had no interest in business. Her previous emergency takeovers had been reluctant obligations. Seeing her best friend find her calling filled her with genuine relief.

Still, an order of this magnitude could have gone to any number of firms under Hamilton Group. That it landed in Vivian's hands was likely due to personal connections.

"Now you can finally breathe easy," Evelyn said softly. "Uncle Dempsey will be at peace too."

She recalled how Leonard Laurent had once used collaboration as a pretext to lure her into contacting Vivian during their resort stay. Back then, she'd feared Vivian might be scammed or that Dempsey Group would collapse—so she'd left the decision entirely to her friend.

Now it was clear those maneuvers had been orchestrated by Lydia Laurent.

Just remembering Lydia's final glare sent a chill down Evelyn's spine. She explained everything to Vivian. "In short, those so-called clients from the Laurents were probably all part of the scheme. Stay vigilant."

Vivian shuddered at the mention of Lydia. "The payment's already settled, but I dealt directly with the end client. Thank goodness you warned me, or I'd have walked right into their trap."

"That's what friends do. They went through such elaborate lengths to make me the middleman—there was never any good intention."

The memory still unsettled Evelyn.

Vivian frowned. "Middleman? But you just emailed me directly. That message you sent from Anderson Corporation."

"Email?"

"Yeah."

Both women froze.

They had phones and messaging apps—why resort to email?

Vivian glanced subtly at Alexander across the room. "Was it him...?"

"Must have been."

Evelyn hadn't realized Alexander had not only managed Anderson Corporation in her absence but also looked out for Vivian.

Vivian was speechless.

Evelyn gave a wry smile. "Back then, I was shattered after losing my father. I couldn't think straight."

Those days felt like being torn apart and clumsily stitched back together.

Before Vivian could press further, voices echoed from the living room. Anthony and Teresa Taylor had arrived—with Emily Anderson in tow.

Emily had returned to school after their father's funeral to prepare for exams. Evelyn had kept her in the dark about recent dangers, not wanting to worry her.

Yet the Taylors had treated Emily as their own, even detouring to her campus to bring her here.

"Sis!" Emily rushed into Evelyn's arms, eyes red.

Evelyn held her close. "Why the tears? I'm fine, see?"

Emily had heard the full story on the way and only cried harder.

Evelyn floundered. The sisters had grown up together, but Emily rarely broke down like this.

Vivian had enough. "You hid everything from her—of course she's terrified now! You're so busy protecting others, have you ever considered how they feel? When you're in danger, we suffer more than you do!"

The words struck Evelyn. She gently patted her sister's back. "I'm sorry. I'll take better care of myself from now on."

Only then did Emily's tears subside into a shaky smile.

That evening, the Hamilton dining room buzzed with rare warmth. The Taylors chatted amiably with Margaret Hamilton, Grace Anderson, and Auntie Marry, while Emily took an instant liking to Lily and Lotus Waters. Conversation flowed late into the night.

The Taylors noticed Evelyn's improved spirits since Alexander's return but tactfully avoided mentioning it.

"We're neighbors now," Anthony said hopefully. "Once you've recovered, bring Alexander over. I owe him a debt I'll never repay."

Compared to the Taylor residence next door, the Hamilton home felt more familiar to Evelyn.

Still conflicted, she steered the talk toward recovery tips—neither accepting nor refusing the invitation.

Alexander waited until everyone had retired before joining Evelyn on the couch. "I may have overstepped tonight."

"Don't apologize." Evelyn gazed at the sleeping baby in her arms. "It's not that I don't want to see them. They've helped me so much."

Alexander sighed. "Family doesn't 'help'—they support each other. That's what family does."

Lost time couldn't be reclaimed. Emotions tangled in Evelyn's chest, finally escaping as a quiet sigh.

Alexander had hoped this convalescence would mend bonds but feared he'd made things worse. At least Evelyn wasn't angry—instead, she brought up something else.

"You were the one who warned Vivian to contact the end client directly, weren't you? I never expected you'd use my name for the email. I should thank you on her behalf. Without that timely connection, she'd have suffered major losses."

She met his eyes. "And Emily—you arranged for her care at school, didn't you?"

With Alexander's evidence, Leonard Laurent would spend his life behind bars, while fugitive Lydia faced arrest upon capture. Laurent Corporation faced imminent seizure, leaving affiliated businesses to count their losses.

Alexander rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Reciprocity. You warned me about the Laurents—I couldn't let your friend walk into fire."

Evelyn's gaze softened. "Why keep all this from me? If I hadn't asked, I might never have known."

"Because I didn't want your gratitude." His deep stare seemed to will time to stand still.

"I just want you to live happily—to stop sacrificing yourself for others."