Chapter 114

Evelyn Laurent gazed at the radiantly smiling woman before her, a complex emotion stirring in her heart.

Margaret Hill blinked her large, dewy eyes, her tone laced with playful coquetry. "Evelyn, darling, you're not still upset with me, are you?"

Her delicate fingers twisted the hem of her dress subtly, her eyes studying Evelyn's reaction with calculated nonchalance.

Memories flooded back like a relentless tide.

That winter, Margaret had indeed taken in the homeless Evelyn. But when the Hill family relocated, they abandoned her at the orphanage gates without a second thought.

"Of course not," Evelyn pressed her lips together. "I owe you for your kindness back then."

Margaret's face instantly brightened as she looped her arm through Evelyn's. "Then you must join me for dinner! My treat!"

Evelyn instinctively tensed to pull away but paused when she met Margaret's expectant gaze.

"Alright."

Margaret chattered nonstop like a cheerful songbird as they walked.

"You always hated being touched as a child. Some things never change," she teased lightly.

Evelyn remained silent beside her, her fingers absently tracing the strap of her designer bag.

The moment the private dining room door swung open, Evelyn froze mid-step.

Harrison Whitmore and his wife sat at the round table, their hushed conversation halting as they looked up in unison.

"Mom, Dad, guess who I ran into?" Margaret tugged Evelyn forward eagerly. "It's Evelyn!"

Harrison's eyes lit up as he rose. "Well, if it isn't our dear Evelyn!"

His gaze swept over her, lingering on her flawless makeup and luxury handbag.

"Where did you find her?" Lydia chimed in, her smile saccharine.

Margaret pouted playfully. "I'm a teaching assistant at Harvard now. I bumped into Evelyn right after class. She's a famous designer these days!"

Evelyn's fingers tightened imperceptibly.

"Evelyn," Harrison began, rubbing his hands together. "About what happened back then—"

"Dad!" Margaret cut him off sharply. "Let's not ruin this happy reunion."

She guided Evelyn to a seat, pouring her a glass of lemon water with exaggerated hospitality. "Try this—it's wonderfully refreshing."

Evelyn stared at the crystal-clear liquid, noting from her periphery as Margaret took a sip before accepting the glass.

"A toast to our reunion!" Margaret raised her glass, her smile dazzling.

Evelyn drained hers in one swift motion.

As she set the glass down, she caught the fleeting glance exchanged between Harrison and Lydia.

Their eyes held a glint of something unspoken—something calculating.