Chapter 784

The sun hadn't fully set when Alexander Hamilton and Evelyn Carter hurried out the door.

"We're meeting a friend," Alexander explained to Aunt Margaret, though his gaze drifted toward the nursery.

Evelyn crouched down, gently squeezing the baby's chubby hand. "Mommy will be back soon."

Aunt Margaret and Grace Anderson exchanged knowing smiles, silently taking over childcare duties.

The address Bianca Langley had given them led to an inconspicuous alley in the old district. Neon signs were half-hidden by ivy—Alexander's sharp eyes barely caught the name "Serenity Lounge" before they would've walked right past it.

Jazz music spilled out like liquid gold the moment they pushed open the door.

"Right this way," said Bartender Lucas, as if expecting them. He guided them through the lively main area to a secluded booth in the back.

Bianca lounged on the leather couch, fingertips tapping her glass. Her sunflower-yellow dress burned bright under the dim lights like a flickering flame.

"Perfect timing." She raised her glass, ice cubes clinking. "Try their signature cocktail?"

Alexander shook his head. "Driving."

"Virgin mojito then." She snapped her fingers, then turned to Evelyn. "Hot milk for the doctor?"

Evelyn ignored the joke, pulling out her phone. "Let's see Baby Chloe's latest videos first."

The screen lit up—Bianca's fingers trembled slightly. The little girl clung to her crib rails, babbling "Mama."

"She..." Bianca's voice caught.

"Eight months old now. Starting to talk," Evelyn said softly. "Demands bedtime stories every night. Loves Guess How Much I Love You."

Alexander spoke abruptly. "We want to be her godparents."

Bianca looked up, eyes still glistening. "That sudden?"

"Not sudden," Evelyn interjected. "These past months, we've already thought of her as—"

"I know." Bianca cut her off with a strained smile. "Of course. It's just..." She swirled her drink. "I'm taking her to Switzerland. Vincent Croix can't reach us there."

The air turned to ice.

"He's contacted you already, hasn't he?" Bianca's laugh was bitter. "Old habits die hard."

Evelyn noticed the faint tan line on her ring finger was gone.

"He turned Langley Group upside down just to flush me out." Bianca downed her drink. "Joke's on him—all those shares, properties? They're his now."

Alexander frowned. "You're just walking away?"

"What choice do I have?" Her glass hit the table with a sharp crack. "Spend my life fighting him? My parents are aging. My baby's tiny. We can't afford the gamble."

The bartender silently delivered their drinks. Evelyn cradled the warm milk, suddenly alert. "You're sure this place is safe?"

"Relax." Bianca's lips curved. "This bar's registered under someone else. Staff have been with me ten years. That narcissist Vincent still thinks I'm running."

She slid a velvet box across the table. "Her first birthday gift. Might...miss the date."

Inside lay a solid gold locket engraved with "Joy & Peace."

Alexander stood abruptly. "Need to make a call."

Once he was out of earshot, Bianca grabbed Evelyn's wrist. "Do me a favor." She pulled a document from her bag. "Keys to our Swiss house. If...if anything happens—"

"Don't say that!" Evelyn slammed the folder shut.

Bianca smiled. "Always plan for the worst. Vincent destroys what he can't have." She watched Alexander's retreating figure. "Be happy, both of you."

The jazz had shifted to Yesterday Once More without them noticing. The raspy female vocalist wove through the shadows.

Evelyn realized—this might be goodbye.