Chapter 752

The brief encounter was soon forgotten.

Alexander Hamilton drove Evelyn Carter and Baby Chloe to the pedestrian street recommended by Mr. Noodle. Recently viral online, this street had become a hotspot for influencers clamoring to take photos.

Evelyn wasn’t particularly interested in social media trends, but since they were here, she figured they might as well explore.

The street buzzed with even more energy than the night market, lined with unique shops.

Alexander bought a coconut, asking the vendor to open it and requesting two straws. "One is too much to finish alone. Sharing means we can try more drinks."

Sampling local flavors was essential to any trip.

Evelyn agreed. Noticing his hands were occupied with the stroller, she took the coconut. After a few awkward exchanges, Alexander suggested, "Just tilt it slightly."

She pushed his straw aside and lifted the coconut for him.

He leaned down to sip from her hands. The juice tasted sweeter than before.

Nearby, Gregory Wilson raised his hand to greet them but lowered it silently after witnessing the moment—until Alexander noticed him.

Truthfully, Alexander had spotted Gregory at the last intersection. He’d remained quiet, curious to see what the other man would do. Surprisingly, Gregory kept his distance, casually browsing shops, oblivious to Evelyn’s outfit change since noon.

The three finally met beneath an ornate archway.

Evelyn smiled. "Did the afternoon event end early?"

"I didn’t go." Gregory shrugged. "The morning lectures were professional, but the afternoon turned into a pharmaceutical sales pitch. You know how that goes."

His reasoning mirrored Evelyn’s own excuse for skipping the session. Though romance hadn’t worked out, their professional values aligned perfectly—a fact Alexander could never alter.

A weight settled in Alexander’s chest. Once, he’d held the title of husband. Now, he and Gregory stood on equal footing: both single, both with a chance.

The atmosphere grew tense. Evelyn shifted the topic. "Forum organizers don’t profit directly. It’s fair for them to seek revenue elsewhere—consider it funding for research."

Perspectives differed based on position. Her corporate experience had revealed truths she’d once overlooked. Profit drove every decision, even charity structured for tax benefits. True altruism rarely existed in business.

Gregory, raised in privilege, should’ve understood this better. Yet medicine had been his sole focus. Her mention of profits visibly startled him.

"You’re right. I was narrow-minded." He accepted her view with quiet surprise. "I remember you only cared about saving lives. Now you consider the bigger picture."

Evelyn hadn’t expected those words either. She smiled faintly. "Perhaps because I’ve learned healing doesn’t only happen in hospitals. Many lose hope long before they reach one."

Her perspective had expanded since returning from the mountain village.

Gregory, having moved on romantically, now admired her purely as a friend. "Hearing this makes me want to visit those villages myself."

Coddled since childhood, he’d never faced corporate intrigue—let alone harsh environments. In adaptability, he likely matched Alexander poorly.

Evelyn softened her refusal. "Mountain life is nothing like your study abroad trips. Even without friends overseas, you could video call."

Gregory frowned. "No phone service in the villages?"

Some experiences defied explanation to the uninitiated.

Before she could elaborate, Alexander interjected, "If you manage a video call on spotty 3G, the entire village will bow to you."

"When I collected evidence there, I tried sending digital files to save time. The signal was so bad, photos took ages to load—only to fail anyway."

Alexander detailed village hardships with clear intent: discouragement.

Evelyn listened quietly. Everything he said was true. Whenever Gregory glanced at her for confirmation, she nodded slightly.

"Reality is harsher than reports." Gregory’s remorse was genuine. "I only studied these issues academically. To think I dismissed real suffering—I’m ashamed."

His guilt held no pretense. He turned to Alexander abruptly. "I heard Hamilton Group is launching a foundation. Are donations open?"

The question caught Alexander off guard. He narrowed his eyes, assessing.

Long accustomed to Alexander’s hostility, Gregory met his gaze squarely. "I lack your resilience—I’d struggle in the villages. But I still want to help however I can."

Evelyn nearly confessed she’d gone to the mountains to escape grief, not out of nobility. But the words stuck in her throat.

When she’d lost Andrew Anderson, Alexander had been her anchor. No matter how empathetic Gregory was, he could never understand that pain.

Some truths remained unshareable.