Chapter 843

The gazes of surrounding guests grew increasingly curious.

The friendship between the Hamilton and Langley families was common knowledge, but when had Bianca Langley become so close with the future Mrs. Hamilton?

After Lydia Laurent's scandal, Evelyn Carter's true identity was no longer a secret. The public assumed her remarriage to Alexander Hamilton was inevitable—only the couple's silence kept the "future" prefix in place.

Bianca ignored the probing stares, smiling brightly at Mrs. Stapleton. "You look radiant. Mother mentioned you just the other day."

Evelyn noticed Bianca deliberately maintaining distance, her chest tightening. She recognized her friend's protective gesture but worried more about Bianca's current predicament.

Alexander wordlessly enveloped Evelyn's cool fingers in his warm, dry grasp.

Only when instinctively returning the pressure did Evelyn realize her lapse. As their fingers intertwined, her chaotic thoughts miraculously stilled.

The charity gala had two segments: a cocktail reception followed by an auction. Alexander, as foundation chair, navigated such events effortlessly. Evelyn aimed to secure more donations for mountain village children.

Guests settled into seats before the auction.

Vincent Croix, the finance prodigy, was seated at Alexander's table. Bianca sat directly across from Evelyn, maintaining precise distance from Vincent.

Evelyn sipped tea, casting Bianca a questioning glance.

As lights dimmed and spotlights illuminated the auction stage, Bianca responded with a dazzling smile, her eyes glinting with familiar mischief.

Evelyn's brow furrowed slightly, her gaze meaningfully flicking toward Vincent.

Vincent's stare remained fixed on Bianca. Even without reciprocation, he stubbornly watched her, his scorching gaze nearly burning holes through her.

"Aren't they divorced?" whispered a nearby guest. "Didn't Mr. Croix publicly apologize in that interview?"

"Rumor says there's a life between them..."

Bianca remained expressionless, slender fingers lightly tapping her wineglass.

Evelyn abruptly pushed her water glass forward.

Clatter—

Tea splashed across Bianca's crimson skirt.

"My apologies." Evelyn stood.

"No matter." Bianca rose smoothly.

A lean hand offered a handkerchief.

Vincent had materialized beside her, murmuring to the neighboring gentleman, "Might we switch seats?"

The man practically fled.

Evelyn swiftly tossed tissues. Bianca caught them with a wink, ignoring the suspended handkerchief.

"Tonight's first lot is my reproduction of..." The host's voice rang out perfectly timed.

Vincent's hand hung midair before slowly retracting. He crushed the linen until blood seeped through the fabric, only then noticing his lapse.

The auction proceeded fervently. The straw weavings donated by Evelyn's group fetched astonishing prices under bids from businessmen courting Hamilton favor.

When the next item reached the podium, the auctioneer's expression froze.

Was this donation... appropriate?