Chapter 841

Vincent Croix's face darkened with fury.

His gaze locked onto the empty space between Evelyn Carter and Alexander Hamilton—where a baby stroller should have been. That detail stabbed at his heart like a thorn.

"Nickname?" He let out a cold laugh. "I don't even know her full name."

Alexander swirled his wine glass leisurely. "You're joking, Mr. Croix. Weren’t you parading the baby around at the Langley family’s full-moon celebration?"

Vincent's knuckles turned white.

He had held the child that day. But his mind had been too preoccupied with securing his place in the Langley family to even take a proper look at her tiny face.

"Your memory is impressive, Mr. Hamilton," he ground out.

Evelyn gently tugged at Alexander’s sleeve.

Their eyes met, and Alexander smoothly shifted the topic. "I heard Croix Group is bidding for the land in the eastern district?"

Before Vincent could respond, a commotion erupted at the banquet hall entrance.

"It’s Miss Langley!"

"Why is she here?"

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Every eye turned toward the figure in a red gown.

Bianca Langley strode through the crowd in her high heels, her smile radiant. She even waved at a few acquaintances, as if the turmoil of the past six months had never happened.

Evelyn’s heart clenched.

She instinctively checked her phone and saw a missed call from an unknown number. Just as she was about to call back, it vibrated again.

"Hello?"

Heavy breathing came from the other end.

"Miss Langley?" Evelyn kept her voice low. "Where are you?"

"Dr. Carter..." Bianca’s voice was hoarse. "No matter what happens next, please believe me."

"What do you mean?"

"I would never hurt you."

The call ended abruptly. When Evelyn tried redialing, the phone was already off.

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Alexander noticed immediately. "What’s wrong?"

"Miss Langley..." She gripped her phone tightly. "She said something unexpected is about to happen."

Alexander’s expression hardened. He pulled Evelyn close and murmured, "Let’s go. Now."

Vincent blocked their path. "What’s going on?"

"Move." Alexander’s tone was icy.

At that moment, all the lights in the banquet hall went out. In the darkness, Bianca’s voice echoed through the speakers:

"Thank you all for coming to this special charity gala."

A spotlight suddenly illuminated the center of the stage. Bianca stood at the podium, a remote control in her hand.

"Tonight, I’m auctioning off 32% of Croix Group’s shares."

Gasps filled the room.

Vincent’s face turned ashen. "Have you lost your mind?!"

Bianca smirked. "These shares are enough to make any of you the second-largest shareholder of Croix Group." Her gaze swept over the crowd before landing on Vincent. "Starting bid—one dollar."

Evelyn inhaled sharply.

Alexander immediately made a call. "Trace Bianca Langley’s financial activity for the last three months."

On stage, Bianca pressed the remote. The screen behind her lit up, displaying a series of stock transfer documents.

"These shares were all bought with Mr. Croix’s money." She chuckled. "Thank you for the generous 'dowry' you’ve given the Langley family over the years."

Vincent lunged toward the stage but was stopped by security.

"Bianca Langley!" he roared. "Do you have any idea what you’re doing?"

Bianca looked down at him coolly. "Of course I do." She turned back to the stunned guests. "Let the auction begin."

Evelyn’s phone buzzed again. A text from an unknown number:

"Take the baby and leave the hotel. Now."

After reading it, Alexander didn’t hesitate. He pulled Evelyn toward the exit. Behind them, Vincent’s enraged shouts and escalating bids filled the air.

"Get the baby," Alexander said tersely. "Bianca is going scorched earth."

Evelyn’s heart pounded. "What is she planning?"

"I don’t know." He jabbed the elevator button. "But Vincent is going to snap tonight."

As the elevator doors closed, the sound of shattering glass erupted from the banquet hall.