Chapter 748

The glass facade of the convention center glinted coldly under the winter sun.

Evelyn stood by the revolving door, watching Alexander deftly fold up the stroller. His charcoal-gray overcoat accentuated his tall, lean frame.

"There's a children's book fair upstairs," he said, cradling Baby Chloe in one arm while naturally taking Evelyn's bag with the other. "Perfect for broadening her horizons."

The baby giggled in his arms, tiny fingers clutching at his shirt collar.

Evelyn pressed her lips into a faint smile. The bustling crowd made her instinctively scan the area, but the familiar figure was nowhere in sight.

Alexander observed her expression discreetly, tapping his knuckles twice against the steering wheel. "There's formula and diapers in the trunk—enough for the whole day."

As the car descended into the underground garage, Evelyn's phone buzzed.

A colleague from the hospital had sent the forum schedule. While scrolling through it, she didn't notice Alexander's fleeting glance at the rearview mirror, his lips tightening slightly.

A long line snaked around the registration desk.

Alexander stood beside Evelyn with the stroller, drawing curious glances. A familiar doctor teased, "Dr. Carter, who's this—"

"Family," Evelyn replied smoothly, handing over her invitation without missing a beat.

A flicker of amusement crossed Alexander's eyes as he adjusted the baby's hat. He'd swapped his usual watch for a casual one today, sleeves rolled up twice, looking more relaxed than usual.

"I'm heading to the lecture," Evelyn checked her watch. "You—"

"Add me on WeChat?" Alexander already had his QR code pulled up. "More convenient than calling."

His profile picture had changed to a golden sunrise against a cerulean backdrop. Evelyn scanned it and hurried toward the auditorium, unaware that a long-dormant contact in her list had just lit up again.

The auditorium lights dimmed.

Evelyn settled into the third-to-last row, notebook open. The speaker adjusted the slides, dust motes floating in the projector's beam.

The seat beside her creaked softly.

Gregory sat diagonally behind her in a navy-blue sweater. The projector light traced the sharp lines of his profile.

"Long time no see," he murmured, careful not to disturb the attendees ahead.

Evelyn's pen paused. "How's White Coat?"

"Gained three pounds," Gregory chuckled. "The pet shop owner says he needs a diet now."

An empty seat between them served as an invisible boundary. Neither spoke again after the lecture began.

The crowd surged out like a tide when it ended.

Gregory waited at a corridor corner with two coffee cups. He tapped the side lightly when handing one to Evelyn. "Americano. No sugar."

"Thanks." She accepted the steaming cup.

They stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the plaza below. Alexander pushing the stroller flashed past, disappearing behind the fountain.

"I heard about the Leonard Laurent incident," Gregory said, gaze distant. "When Auntie Dempsey mentioned it, I nearly dropped my teacup."

Evelyn traced the cup's rim. "The wicked will reap what they sow."

Sunlight filtered through the glass, casting delicate shadows on her lashes. Gregory suddenly noticed a faint new crease at her eye corner—one that hadn't been there six months ago.

"Alexander has changed a lot," he blurted out.

Evelyn watched children playing in the plaza. "People change."

The words clicked like a key turning in a lock. Gregory's shoulders relaxed slightly as he studied his coffee's reflection. "Can... White Coat stay with me?"

"He sees you as his owner now," Evelyn smiled. "He only wags his tail at you during video calls."

Gregory's Adam's apple bobbed. "Then we—"

"Of course we're friends." Evelyn raised her cup, lightly clinking it against his. "Always will be."

Beyond the glass, Alexander peered their way with Baby Chloe in his arms. The baby waved her tiny hands like a flower swaying in sunlight.