Chapter 807

Alexander Hamilton's voice was still hoarse from sleep. He cradled the baby attempting to stand in her bassinet with one hand while holding a bottle in the other, his phone wedged between shoulder and ear.

The awkward position distorted his tone.

Bianca Langley fell silent on the other end.

Had she called at a bad time?

Alexander's brow furrowed at the sudden quiet. "What's wrong? Evelyn's freshening up."

"Oh..." Bianca quickly changed subjects, about to suggest hanging up when his voice softened abruptly.

"It's Bianca—she needs to speak with you urgently—"

The rest faded as he clearly turned to address Evelyn. Moments later, the phone changed hands.

"It's me," Evelyn's crisp voice came through.

Though their acquaintance was brief, the two women had bonded instantly. Bianca explained her situation concisely before stating, "I need your help. I refuse to keep this ring, but confronting him directly is out of the question. It should be returned to its rightful owner."

"You can't possibly see him now. Returning to Hudson City would be dangerous and disrupt your plans with Adrian." Evelyn's concern was palpable.

Bianca gave a mirthless chuckle.

"Exactly why I need your assistance. The thought of facing him makes me physically ill. An eye for an eye."

If Vincent Croix dared threaten her, he'd taste his own medicine. Only her need to remain hidden necessitated Evelyn's involvement.

Understanding immediately, Evelyn said, "Just mail us the ring."

Alexander, finally freeing his neck, interjected, "Postal service is too slow and unreliable for something this valuable. Someone from our regional office is coming for meetings—they can hand-deliver it."

Two days later, Alexander received the ring during a corporate conference. Without hesitation, he instructed his security team to deliver it to Vincent under cover of the most ominous midnight hour.

No one witnessed Vincent's reaction upon receiving the ring, but Bianca's spirits lifted considerably upon hearing the deed was done.

Evelyn found the method somewhat juvenile, yet considering Vincent's atrocities against Bianca and their daughter, she deemed it fitting retribution.

Days of tranquility passed, unbeknownst to all that this was merely the calm before the storm.

True to his word, Adrian Valentine prepared everything in Seaview City within two weeks. He personally designed every wedding detail, even refining his proposal speech repeatedly before calling Alexander and Evelyn.

"Mr. Hamilton, Dr. Carter, thank you for caring for Chloe these weeks. We'll properly express our gratitude once Bianca arrives." His voice brimmed with unrestrained joy.

On speakerphone, the three conversed.

Evelyn offered sincere blessings: "Don't get so carried away you forget to notify the bride. A wedding without its leading lady would certainly be... memorable."

Their previous engagement ceremony had been unconventional enough. With Bianca's parents attending this time, tradition was preferable.

Adrian's laughter rang through the line.

"Bianca knows—she's booked a flight for the morning after tomorrow. We'll reunite within two days. I've also invited the aunt who raised me, making this both families' formal introduction. Finally, I'll have a real family."

His lifelong yearning for belonging was palpable.

Alexander and Evelyn readily agreed, adjusting their schedules for the trip to Seaview City after confirming details.

Yet before dawn the next day, an unknown number shattered the peace.

Alexander nearly declined the call to avoid waking Chloe, but the infant abruptly startled awake wailing.

"Shh, sweetheart..."

He abandoned the phone as Evelyn roused to help soothe their distraught charge.

The call eventually disconnected unanswered. Just as they thought the disturbance had passed, the same number rang again.

Wrong numbers don't redial so persistently.

With the baby's cries escalating, unease coiled around the couple.

Evelyn took a steadying breath before answering. "Hello?"

A young female voice spoke over emergency room clamor.

"Hospital calling. Do you know Adrian Valentine? His phone was destroyed in an accident—we found your number in his call log. Please come immediately—"

"Understood." Evelyn hung up with forced composure, relaying the news to Alexander.

"Adrian's been in a car crash—critical condition. Given my hospital experience, this call is undoubtedly legitimate. His situation must be dire."

Alexander acted decisively.

"Evelyn, Chloe needs you here, and this is no environment for an infant. Stay—I'll book the earliest flight."

He dressed hastily, departing without luggage.

Evelyn's heart pounded with foreboding, yet she knew additional presence wouldn't help. Clutching the weeping child, she promised, "We'll be fine."

The baby cried relentlessly, only succumbing to exhaustion half an hour after Alexander left.

Evelyn considered informing Bianca, but with Adrian's condition uncertain and the trans-Pacific journey lengthy, she reluctantly postponed.

At ten a.m., Alexander finally messaged. His voice, ravaged by sleeplessness and travel, carried unbearable weight:

"Evelyn... Adrian didn't make it."