Alexander Vance turned his gaze to Evelyn Ross.

His eyes held a silent question.

After their intimacy last night, Evelyn had confided everything about Grace Nan's death.

Including the truth about her mother.

Alexander had immediately revealed he'd been searching for Sophia Ashcroft's whereabouts.

Unfortunately, no leads had surfaced yet.

Comparing notes made them realize the Nan family's mysterious nature.

Even the combined efforts of the Vance and Ashcroft families found no trace.

Their only option was to use Grace's identity as bait to lure the snake from its hole.

Alexander decided to conceal his identity and stay by Evelyn's side.

He was about to invent a fake name.

Mina Sherwood burst out laughing.

"Grace, you're something else! You've got this little boyfriend wrapped around your finger? He's too scared to even say his name?"

Alexander remained silent.

Mina mistook it for shyness.

She felt genuinely happy for Evelyn.

Just then, her phone buzzed again.

Mina glanced down.

Her eyes widened in shock.

"Holy crap!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Mina gritted her teeth in anger. "My uncle wants me to seduce Alexander Vance! He says the man is in New York now!"

"Cough!"

Evelyn shot a look at Alexander.

Mina grew more furious. "Am I that desperate? He wants me to go after some old widower?!"

"Pfft—"

Evelyn sprayed out her water.

She glanced with complex emotions at the space behind Mina.

Alexander's face had turned thunderous.

Evelyn suppressed her laughter. "Actually, Alexander Vance isn't that bad…"

Mina snorted. "His family background is impressive, but what if he's old and ugly? He's almost thirty… Not that I care, but all those New York socialites will be fighting over him!"

Evelyn: "…"

She pointed at Alexander. "What do you think of him?"

Mina's eyes lit up. "A total puppy! He looks barely twenty, right?"

The "barely twenty" Alexander remained expressionless.

Evelyn stifled a laugh. "Weren't we going to the hospital? Let me change."

Mina blinked.

She nodded.

Evelyn turned to enter the room.

Alexander immediately followed.

He refused to let her out of his sight now.

Terrified she might vanish if he blinked.

Evelyn sighed. "Stop following me everywhere."

Alexander pressed his lips together. "You're in danger. I can't rest easy."

Truth was, he'd been secretly tailing her for a month.

Evelyn sighed. "Then what's your cover? If you're discovered, it'll implicate me."

Alexander lowered his gaze. "How about I be your bodyguard?"

Evelyn turned and hooked her arm around his neck.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Someone just said how many women in New York are eyeing the position of Mrs. Vance~ And you want to be a bodyguard for a divorced single mom like me?"

Alexander tightened his arm around her waist.

"That friend of yours also said I'm just an old, ugly widower. We're a perfect match."

Evelyn: "…"

She reluctantly gave in. "Fine. But don't expose your identity."

"Okay."

Evelyn handed him a black baseball cap.

Alexander changed into a white T-shirt and casual pants.

With the cap on, he looked youthful and vibrant.

Evelyn found it refreshing.

When they went downstairs, Mina approached them.

"Can't bear to be apart, huh?"

Evelyn cleared her throat. "He wants to be our driver."

"Fine."

Mina tossed the car keys to Alexander.

She and Evelyn settled into the back seat.

During the drive, Mina kept checking her phone.

"Grace, don't you need to be 42 days along for an abortion?"

Evelyn: "The pill shouldn't have that restriction."

"Really?"

Mina touched her stomach. "Does the baby feel anything yet? Will it hurt when… you know?"

Evelyn said calmly, "It's not formed yet. Just a fertilized egg."

Mina: "…"

She looked at Evelyn. "Aren't you going to try to talk me out of this?"

Evelyn smiled. "Do you want to keep it?"

"Of course not."

"Then I won't try. Don't worry. I heard it's quick. Like taking a nap."

Mina: "…"

Evelyn knew she was hesitant.

She said it on purpose.

Sure enough, at the hospital entrance.

Mina stared at the sign.

Her feet felt like lead.

In the OB-GYN waiting area.

Evelyn helped Mina get registered.

They sat on a bench, waiting for their number.

Mina was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Outside the hospital.

Marcus Valentine had just exited the main doors.

He spotted Alexander immediately.

Surprised, he walked over.

"Alexander Vance? It really is you! Why are you dressed like that? And here of all places?"

Alexander lazily looked up.

All traces of颓废 had vanished from his face.

"And what are you doing here?"

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Visiting a friend… Why are you at a maternity hospital? Don't tell me…"

His eyes drifted downward. "You have some… condition?"

Alexander: "…"

Remembering how this guy had once offered condolences.

Then thinking of Mina currently inside getting an abortion.

The child was clearly his.

And he had the nerve to stand here making jokes.

Alexander suddenly curved his lips into a smile.

"Don't worry about my capabilities. You should worry about yourself."

Marcus bristled. "Why should I worry? I'm perfectly fine!"

"Is that so?"

Alexander chuckled softly. "I believe I just saw Miss Sherwood heading to the OB-GYN department…"

Marcus froze instantly.

"What?!"