Chapter 83

"What the hell is this?"

"My contact information."

Vincent Wilson flipped the note over and laughed in disbelief. "A message in a bottle?!"

Evelyn Carter nodded. "Yes."

"Who even uses this anymore? No phone number? No email?"

Evelyn explained softly, "You didn’t specify what kind of contact information. But I can promise I’ll reply if I receive your message."

......

Vincent stomped his foot in frustration.

Alexander Hamilton had long grown accustomed to this uninvited guest.

Vincent was a few years younger than him. Though he had an older brother, the brother lived abroad most of the time. Since childhood, Vincent had followed Alexander around like a shadow, closer than a real brother.

Alexander shook his head. "Finally, someone who can put you in your place. Good."

"Good? She’s clearly messing with me!"

"She’s not wrong. A message in a bottle can reach someone. The odds are just... low."

"Low? It’s like finding a needle in a haystack! Since when does Vincent Wilson get treated like this? You have to help me, Alex."

Alexander didn’t even look up from the documents he was reviewing. "How? Should I kidnap her and deliver her to your bed?"

"Sounds perfect."

Alexander glared. "Perfectly illegal."

At the mention of breaking the law, Vincent suddenly perked up. "Wow, Alex. You’ve really become Annabelle’s biggest fanboy, huh? Now that she’s a lawyer, you won’t even joke about breaking the rules."

The pen in Alexander’s hand paused mid-stroke.

"...Keeping you in line is my responsibility. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

Vincent scoffed. "Yeah, right. Everyone knows how you feel about Annabelle. Honestly, I envy you."

"Envy what?"

"That you have someone you love. I’ve dated plenty, but none of them ever meant anything."

Alexander suddenly set down his pen.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze heavy. "Vincent, let me ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"What do you think I like about Annabelle?"

"Her looks, obviously."

"There are plenty more beautiful women out there."

Vincent thought for a moment. "Then it must be her personality? Annabelle’s temper is legendary—she’d climb a tree in three steps just to yell at someone. Scarier than a school principal."

"She is strong-willed."

"Strong-willed? She’s downright domineering." Vincent lowered his voice. "Remember her thing with Richard?"

"Yeah."

"Know why they broke up?"

Alexander said, "Incompatible personalities?"

"Not even close." Vincent smirked. "Richard couldn’t handle her. Too many guys were after her, and he couldn’t take it. He was the one who ended things."

Alexander knew this.

She always had a crowd of "just friends" around her, and he’d felt his share of jealousy.

But Annabelle would just say, "They’re all like brothers."

Men understood men. There was no such thing as pure friendship.

"That’s why you’re impressive. You waited patiently and finally got your happy ending—even divorced for her. Guys like you are rare, Alex."

Alexander shot him a warning look.

Vincent finally caught himself. "Wait, why are you asking this? Don’t you know why you like her?"

Alexander shook his head. "Lately, I’ve realized... she’s not quite the same as I remember."