Chapter 968

Margaret Hamilton nearly dropped her chopsticks when Vivian Dempsey appeared at the Hamilton family breakfast table. The familiar face usually only showed up for dinner—this unexpected morning visit left both matriarchs exchanging bewildered glances. They'd been playing mahjong at the Andersons' until midnight, oblivious to the household's latest developments.

Grace Anderson, more acquainted with Vivian, was the first to break the ice with a teasing smile. "This young man looks quite dashing. Is he your boyfriend?"

Victor Laurent stiffened under the scrutiny of unfamiliar elders, his smile frozen like ice. Remembering how she'd gotten him drunk last night, Vivian intervened with sudden conscience. "Aunt Grace, you've got it wrong. He's definitely not my boyfriend. Take a closer look—maybe you'll recognize him?"

Evelyn Carter pressed her lips together, amused but silent. Victor stared at Grace for a long moment before his face lit up with realization. "You're Evelyn's mother! That parent-teacher conference—I'd have been lost without your directions."

Grace studied the tear-shaped mole near his eye as memories surfaced. "Victor! You were the one who guided me that time..."

Margaret finally connected the dots—this was her daughter's classmate. Her gaze flickered toward Alexander Hamilton, bracing for another jealous outburst. Yet her son remained absorbed in peeling a boiled egg for Evelyn, not even glancing up.

The unusual scene made Margaret pause. When she noticed how Victor's flustered eyes kept darting toward Vivian, understanding dawned—unrequited affection at play.

Regaining his usual vivacity, Victor gestured dramatically. "Blame Vivian for challenging me to that drinking contest. Who knew she'd built such tolerance?"

Vivian swallowed her wonton and fired back. "The future design director of Hamilton Group can't hold his liquor? How will you manage business dinners?"

Learning this was the designer Alexander had personally recruited from Canada, Margaret perked up with interest. Victor charmed the table with witty professional anecdotes, easing the atmosphere further.

"Need a ride?" Victor shamelessly sidled up as Vivian prepared to leave.

"Thanks to you, my car's still parked outside the restaurant!"

"Perfect chance to split cab fare then."

Alexander smoothly intercepted the bickering pair. "I'll drive you." Though still slightly pale, he looked markedly better than the previous night. His lingering gaze toward Evelyn as they left carried an intangible veil between them.

Victor observed everything. Only after settling into Vivian's car did he casually probe, "About Alexander and Evelyn..."

"That's a whole soap opera." Vivian turned the steering wheel. "You'll find out after joining the company."

Two intersections later, Vivian suddenly braked. "Wait—where do you live?"

"The Four Seasons." The address was barely two blocks from Dempsey Tower. Vivian burst out laughing. "And here I thought you'd already scouted the Andersons' neighborhood."

She adjusted the wheel, her tone softening with nostalgia. "Never pictured you as an architect. Back in art class, you always sketched those bizarre blueprints..."

Victor's eyes sparkled. "You remember that? What did you study at Peking U—"

The car plunged into silence, broken only by the AC's hum.

Victor's voice dropped as he realized his misstep. "Did...the college entrance exams not go well?"

Vivian's grip tightened on the wheel as she forced a smile and changed the subject. "If you need housing leads, I can ask around. There are new developments near Hamilton Group..."

Sunlight streamed through the windows, stinging their eyes.