Chapter 962

Alexander Hamilton immediately noticed the subtle shift in Evelyn Carter's expression.

He set down the menu at once, his gaze filled with concern.

Evelyn quickly took a sip of water, her fingers lightly tapping the glass. "If you don't order soon, Vivian will beat you to it."

Alexander snapped back to attention. "I'll have the same as you, but swap the salmon for pan-seared foie gras with scallops."

When the menu reached Victor Laurent, he effortlessly leaned in with Vivian to browse through it.

After placing their orders, he smoothly signaled the waiter with practiced ease.

Vivian raised an eyebrow, studying him. "The same guy who used to skip class to play games has turned into quite the gentleman."

"Evelyn said the same thing." Victor smiled, though a hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes.

Vivian, oblivious to his mood, focused on the teardrop mole under his left eye. "This mole hasn't changed, but you've gotten much tanner. Do those contact lenses bother you?"

She remembered how Victor used to mistake people without his glasses—once even confusing the principal for a janitor.

Victor suddenly leaned closer. "So, what do you think of the new look? Handsome, right?"

Vivian's silence was deafening.

Alexander and Evelyn simultaneously picked up their water glasses, watching the amusing pair with interest.

Victor, indignant, pulled out his phone. "I had a whole drawer full of love letters overseas."

"That's only because they never saw you in high school." Vivian counted on her fingers. "The girl next door brought you breakfast for a month, and you—what did you do? Calculated every penny and transferred the money back."

Victor was speechless. Then, abruptly changing the subject, he drawled, "Speaking of which, before I left, you and that..."

He deliberately trailed off, pretending to search his memory.

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat, but just as she was about to interrupt, the waiter arrived with their food.

The elegant plating of French cuisine instantly crowded the table.

Vivian's grip on her fork tightened slightly, her gaze distant.

Alexander, sensing the shift in atmosphere, smoothly redirected the conversation. "Have you visited the project site yet, Mr. Laurent?"

"I went just the other day." Victor seized the topic. "It's remote, but the environment is excellent. The villagers kept saying how grateful they were for your investment—that it was a true act of charity."

Evelyn's eyes lit up. "Are you talking about Greenwood Village?"

She set down her utensils, eagerly joining the discussion.

Victor suddenly understood. "You must be the Dr. Carter the village elder always mentions?"

"How is the elder's health?" Evelyn's voice carried a note of regret. "I promised to stay for a year, but..."

Alexander gently took her hand under the table.

Victor nudged Vivian repeatedly with his foot, but she simply rested her chin on her hand, watching the couple's interlaced fingers with a knowing smile.

"Hey!" Victor finally elbowed her.

Vivian popped a shrimp into her mouth. "You'll get used to it. They do this all the time."

Victor scratched his head in frustration but couldn't bring himself to ask outright.

Evelyn was already enthusiastically describing the village's customs, even vividly recounting details of the temple fair.

Seeing her absorbed, Alexander quietly took her steak and began cutting it into bite-sized pieces.