Chapter 842

Evelyn Carter stood by the window, phone in hand. The sunlight outside was bright, but it couldn't penetrate the worry in her eyes. Bianca Langley had left too few clues—that convenience store call was like a kite with a severed string, impossible to trace.

Alexander Hamilton entered just as she was staring blankly at her phone screen.

"Found it," he said, hanging his suit jacket on the coat rack. "It's a 24-hour convenience store in the east district. The clerk said she only bought a bottle of water and left without even taking her change."

Evelyn turned. "How did she look?"

"Like a lost tourist, but coherent." Alexander loosened his tie. "She deliberately chose a blind spot for the cameras. Clearly didn’t want to be found."

Evelyn sighed softly. Bianca had always been sharp. If she didn’t want to be found, no one could.

"Any movement from Vincent?" she changed the subject.

Alexander smirked. "He’s been unusually quiet. Heard he even removed the cot from his office and moved back to his penthouse downtown."

"Playing the devoted husband now that he’s got the Langley Group?" Evelyn scoffed.

The early summer breeze carried the scent of flowers through the window. Baby Chloe babbled in her crib, tiny hands waving. Evelyn walked over and gently rocked the cradle.

"I’m on night shift tomorrow," she said suddenly. "Let’s take a walk down the pedestrian street after work. I heard Lily’s got a new batch of handmade toys."

Alexander nodded, his gaze settling on the baby. "She could use some new ones."

The next evening, the wind was unusually gentle. As Evelyn stepped out of the hospital, she saw Alexander waiting under a streetlamp, pushing the stroller. Baby Chloe, in a soft yellow hat, was happily playing with the hanging toys.

"Being so good today?" Evelyn bent down to tease the baby, who immediately giggled.

The pedestrian street buzzed with activity. Lily’s stall was swarmed with customers, her brother Lotus scrambling to handle payments. Spotting them, Lily’s eyes lit up, and she pulled out a woven grass rabbit from under the counter.

"Dr. Carter! I saved this especially for the baby!"

Just as Evelyn was about to thank her, Lotus suddenly blurted, "We saw Auntie Bianca yesterday! At the café up ahead!"

The air froze. Alexander’s grip tightened unconsciously on the stroller handle.

"You’re sure?" Evelyn’s voice was tense.

Lily nodded eagerly. "She was wearing a red dress, as pretty as ever. But..." She hesitated. "There was a man in a black suit with her. Looked kinda scary."

Evelyn and Alexander exchanged a glance. Then, a familiar voice came from behind:

"What a coincidence."

Dressed in fiery red, Bianca strode over in high heels. Her makeup was flawless, lips a bold crimson, with no trace of her former exhaustion. More surprising, Vincent stood two steps behind her, wearing a smug smile.

"Miss Langley..." Evelyn was momentarily speechless.

Bianca reached out to stroke the baby’s cheek, her touch feather-light, as if handling fragile porcelain. "Long time no see. She’s grown so much."

Alexander eyed Vincent warily. "You two..."

"Relax," Bianca chuckled. "We just happened to run into each other." She turned to Vincent, her gaze as calm as if he were a stranger. "Mr. Croix offered to buy me coffee, but I don’t like bitter things."

Vincent’s smile stiffened.

"Miss Langley," Evelyn couldn’t help asking, "have you been... alright?"

Bianca’s red lips curved, but her eyes were deep and unreadable. "I’m perfectly fine."

She bent to kiss the baby’s forehead, then turned away, her skirt flaring like a flickering flame before she vanished into the crowd. Vincent stood stunned for a moment before hastily chasing after her.

Evelyn stared at the direction they’d gone, her fingers unconsciously clenching the stroller handle. Alexander gently took her hand—her palm was ice-cold.

"Something’s wrong with her," Evelyn murmured.

Alexander frowned at where Bianca had disappeared. "What the hell did Vincent do to her?"