Chapter 927

The question burned like a hot potato in Alexander Hamilton's hands. Neither accepting nor rejecting it felt right. Standing between the two families, one wrong move could alienate everyone Evelyn Carter held dear.

After careful consideration, he chose honesty. "In Evelyn's heart, you'll always be her only mother. Blood ties matter, but twenty years of nurturing can't be easily replaced."

His words rang sincere. Alexander understood better than anyone how Evelyn's wounded heart now resembled a tightly shut clam—only actions could prove his sincerity.

Grace Anderson's eyes glistened. "I knew you'd understand her. Evelyn treasures relationships deeply. Though she never says it aloud, she remembers every visit and gift from the Taylors these past days."

She never feared Evelyn would distance herself. Her words simply wished for her daughter to receive more love.

Alexander marveled at this selfless maternal love. Without such a family, Evelyn wouldn't have grown into this resilient yet gentle woman.

"Mr. Taylor carries immense guilt. They'd never blame Evelyn for keeping her distance," he carefully sidestepped the blood relation topic.

Grace surprised him by proposing, "Could you help bridge the gap between Evelyn and them? Seeing Teresa Taylor's sadness weighs on me."

Alexander's pulse quickened. Asking Evelyn to call Teresa "Mom"? This was dancing on knife's edge—success meant harmony; failure meant permanent exile from Evelyn's heart.

"I'll try," he heard himself say.

The next morning, Alexander knocked on the Taylors' door.

"Mr. Taylor, Peanut killed all our fish. Evelyn suddenly craves vinegar-pepper fish..."

Anthony Taylor looked puzzled. "Weren't there three yesterday?"

"We took one to the Dempseys. Peanut destroyed the other two," Alexander said without blinking. In truth, he'd personally dispatched those fish—now resting in Peanut's bowl.

By noon, an unprecedented scene unfolded—three families gathered around the Hamilton dining table.

Grace gasped at the feast. "When you said you'd learn to cook vinegar-pepper fish last night, I expected three dishes at most."

Evelyn, well-rested and glowing, finally understood—this stemmed from her offhand remark at the Dempseys.

"You didn't have to go through such trouble..." She glanced at Peanut sunbathing by the window. "Since when does Peanut hunt fish?"

Alexander remained composed. "Surprised me too."

Evelyn's lips quirked. "Perhaps more walks are needed. I hear energetic cats destroy homes."

As Alexander inwardly groaned, Teresa smoothly interjected, "The garden should suffice. Too many bugs outside."