Eleanor Vance’s eyes lit up as she listened to their conversation.
“Dear, is that Ms. Roland you mentioned visiting later today?”
Evelyn Ross had gone to see Chloe Roland after leaving the police station.
She didn’t return home until after Chloe finished her rehabilitation session.
She had briefly explained this to Eleanor.
She was surprised the elderly woman remembered it so clearly.
Evelyn studied her, noticing her condition hadn’t worsened recently.
In fact, there were signs of improvement.
The medication needed to be developed quickly.
It would be best if she could remember the truth about her marriage to Alexander Vance.
Alexander’s lips curved slightly as he listened.
A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
So Ryan Roland had mistaken someone else for her.
He suddenly spoke. “Ms. Ross, there’s a celebration banquet between Vance Group and the Rolands the day after tomorrow.”
“I need a plus-one. Are you interested?”
Evelyn didn’t look up. “Not interested.”
Alexander paused, his deep eyes flickering. “Didn’t you say you wanted to introduce the two families?”
Evelyn finally looked at him.
Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered with reluctant light. “Fine then.”
Eleanor looked delighted. “You’re willing to make peace with the Rolands?”
Alexander hummed indifferently and changed the subject. “What did you have for lunch today?”
“Rice, chicken soup, and some celery…”
Thomas Watson couldn’t help stealing a glance at his boss.
His boss had never shown any intention of reconciling with his biological mother.
This cooperation was strictly business.
That was why rumors of his discord with Ryan had spread.
In truth, Ryan had extended olive branches multiple times.
His boss never responded, clearly wanting no non-business interactions.
His earlier words were just to coax Ms. Ross into being his plus-one?
Thomas wore a thoughtful expression.
After dinner, Evelyn went to walk the dog.
She put a leash on the Shiba Inu and took it out.
Thomas happened to be going downstairs to retrieve documents and walked with her.
They walked side by side.
Thomas suddenly asked with a smile, “Ms. Ross, what kind of man do you like?”
Even though Ms. Ross had a boyfriend eager to marry, as long as she wasn’t married, his boss still had a chance!
He needed to gather information for his boss.
It would make it easier for his boss to steal her from that boyfriend!
Evelyn was slightly stunned by the question.
Having watched Linda Lowell’s love-struck persistence to stay with the Ashcrofts since childhood, she had always been averse to love and marriage.
She always rejected male advances.
She was afraid of losing herself if she fell in love.
She had never thought about what her future partner should be like…
But when Thomas asked that question, the first image that flashed in her mind was Alexander’s handsome face.
She subconsciously began speaking. “Handsome, six-foot-one, about a hundred and sixty-five pounds, deep and pleasant voice, thoughtful, especially good at scolding people…”
Thomas’s eyes grew brighter.
You might as well just say his social security number!
So Ms. Ross and the boss were mutually attracted?
Evelyn noticed his expression and instantly caught herself.
She abruptly changed course, the “terse and cold” on her tongue becoming: “…kind and warm, tells good jokes, a real sweetheart!”
Thomas: ???
A sweetheart? That was so not his boss!
He was gloomy all day, famously known as a human air conditioner!
Evelyn saw his expression change and breathed a sigh of relief, her cheeks slightly warm.
Annoyed by the slow dog, she bent down, picked it up, and quickly headed downstairs.
Thomas sighed, thinking his boss didn’t stand a chance.
He turned to go back to the hospital room and froze.
Alexander was standing right behind him!
The corridor lights were dim, casting half his face in shadow.
He looked somewhat lonely.
He had clearly heard the entire conversation between him and Ms. Ross!
Thomas coughed and scratched his head sheepishly. “Well, boss, you could try smiling more at Ms. Ross…”
“…Too much talk.”
Alexander chastised him, walked past, and quickly went downstairs.
It was dark outside.
Under the streetlights, the girl was squatting, petting the dog.
Her head was bowed.
Her expression towards the Shiba Inu was uncharacteristically gentle, lacking its usual sharpness.
Alexander walked over slowly until he stood before her.
The moment he approached, the girl looked up.
The corner of Alexander’s mouth twitched as he attempted what he thought was a gentle smile.
Then he saw Evelyn stand up and glance at him cautiously. “Mr. Vance, is there something wrong with your mouth?”
Alexander: “…”
He slowly retracted his smile.
Seeing the girl visibly relax, a few black lines seemed to form on his forehead.
He took a deep breath. “Grandmother asked me to accompany you on your walk.”
“Alright.”
The clumsy Shiba Inu ran towards the park, the two following closely behind.
A cold wind blew, making Evelyn shiver.
The temperature had dropped suddenly today, and she wasn’t prepared.
She was rubbing her arms, thinking it was about time to go back upstairs, when a large, warm coat was suddenly draped over her shoulders.
Evelyn’s body stiffened.
She slowly turned her head to see Alexander standing there in his shirt, looking away, his expression slightly awkward.
The corners of Evelyn’s eyes curved. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Alexander’s tone was flat. “I just don’t want you catching a cold and passing it to Grandmother.”
Evelyn chuckled silently.
This man’s mouth was the hardest part of him.
They were standing there awkwardly when a voice called out. “Mr. Vance?”
Evelyn turned and saw Ryan Roland standing in the park.
His face darkened when he saw her.
Evelyn: ?
Alexander frowned and stepped in front of Evelyn. “Can I help you?”
“A word in private.”
Ryan gave Evelyn another deep look before walking to the side.
He looked very upset.
He had just returned to the hospital room and made some discreet inquiries.
His sister was indeed deeply affected by that passerby’s comment during her first plea for help: “Go die, you love-struck fool.”
During her surgery, she had even lost the will to live because of it!
So he was furious!
Once Alexander approached, Ryan asked with a frown, “What is your relationship with this Ms. Ross?”
“That’s none of your business, Mr. Roland.”
Ryan took a deep breath. “Regardless, you are my aunt’s son. Seeing that you have an unusual relationship with her, I feel compelled to offer some advice.”
“You’d better open your eyes. This woman is no good!”
“Our families have no connection, Mr. Roland. There’s no need for you to concern yourself with my affairs.”
Alexander’s voice grew several degrees colder.
He enunciated each word clearly. “Besides, I believe it is you who needs to open your eyes.”
Ryan was taken aback. “What do you mean?”