Chapter 197
Evelyn was nowhere to be seen.
Dominic might not care about others' opinions, but he refused to become the laughingstock of T Corporation's employees.
He left town to avoid appearing desperate in his pursuit of Evelyn.
Victor Langley carefully placed the divorce papers and signing pen back into his briefcase.
Without delay, he returned to his car and followed the "defendant" of this divorce case out of town.
As he drove, Victor took a sip of his energy drink. In his nearly thirty years of life, this marked the first time he'd personally tracked down a defendant.
No other client had ever received such personalized service.
Frankly speaking, divorce cases rarely warranted his attention - unless they involved billionaires!
After the cars departed, whispers erupted among the colleagues upstairs.
With doors left ajar, Julian Montgomery overheard female coworkers gossiping while distributing bottled water. "Can you believe Victor Langley actually came here?" one whispered. "Why would he?" another questioned.
"Why else? I heard both Victor and Evelyn's Cayenne-driving husband left her room consecutively. Victor mentioned divorce papers, and her husband actually said, 'I never agreed to divorce. The thought never crossed my mind.' Clearly Evelyn wants out..."
"The man in the Cayenne - rumored to be the boss's cousin - refuses to let go..."
"Following that logic, Evelyn must have hired Victor to negotiate with her husband."
Julian froze mid-motion, the Red Bull can suspended in air.
"Just who is Evelyn from design? Money alone can't hire Victor Langley. We're talking about the legendary lawyer, not some random street firm attorney."
Even with money, Evelyn lacked the social status.
'No idea,' the colleague shrugged.
Meanwhile, Evelyn stood before her grandfather's weathered house.
Before traveling to this small town, Evelyn had visited her grandfather. She'd reminded him about taking medication regularly and getting proper rest.
Her grandfather insisted she focus on work instead of worrying about him. Ambition was good, but overworking wasn't wise.
Before leaving, Evelyn had obtained the house key.
While Maxwell slept inside, Evelyn received Victor's text.
Victor had only located the general area from her directions, unaware of the specific room.
Evelyn carefully slipped out without disturbing Maxwell, meeting Victor in the courtyard.
After providing the room number, Victor assured her he'd handle everything. He suggested she stay away temporarily, in case Maxwell reacted badly.
For her city-bred colleagues, this rundown town offered nothing. Evelyn understood - she'd grown up differently, in far worse conditions.
This "dingy little town" held special meaning for her.
Retrieving the key, she pushed open the rusted steel gate, stepping into the overgrown courtyard.
This abandoned space held countless childhood memories.
At six years old, her grandfather kept geese.
They'd feed the goslings grass. Her grandfather would chop fresh greens on a stone block while she scooped the pieces into their bowl.
She once asked, "Grandpa, Mommy hasn't visited in years. What if I see her in town and she doesn't recognize me?" "Don't you like living with Grandpa? Where your mother is, there's no geese, no fresh grass, no clean air!"
Young Evelyn understood her grandfather knew her mother's whereabouts.
Even now, she suspected both grandfather and father believed Beatrice Lockwood had borne her for the Sinclair family.
Her grandfather seemed to have no memory of Beatrice.
After decades, he'd likely forgotten his seldom-seen daughter-in-law's name.
Yet her father - now hospitalized with lung cancer - appeared unaware she probably wasn't Beatrice's child.
If true, who had given birth to her?
Her father never mentioned other women besides Beatrice. He should know her true origins - so why believe it was Beatrice?
In City A...
Reginald Blackwood awoke around nine, parched.
Scanning the room, he found Dominic absent. Only a nurse, his treasured great-grandchildren Alexander and Isabella, and Sebastian Whitmore remained.
"Where's Dominic..." Reginald rasped.
Sebastian remained expressionless. "The boss went to purchase study materials for Alexander and Isabella," he explained.
"Why go himself..." Reginald clearly doubted this.
Isabella rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Teacher assigned homework. She wants parents to buy materials personally so they know what we're learning. Daddy had to visit a specific store. Otherwise, teacher will scold us in class."
Sebastian nodded ruefully. "Let's hope he gets the right items!"
Reginald scoffed. "He's grown. Can't handle something so simple?"
Sebastian continued, "Normally I buy their supplies. The boss avoids crowded places." "Avoids crowds! Does he think other parents will swoon over his looks? Such arrogance!" Reginald seized the chance to criticize his admittedly handsome grandson. "If he'd avoided flirting, Alexander and Isabella might still have their mother. Look what he's done..."
He'd caught Evelyn's eye, but things turned awkward.
What good were looks and wealth? Nearly thirty and still single - worse off than less attractive, less wealthy men.
After thoroughly "criticizing" his grandson, Reginald drifted back to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the small town...
Night brought quietude, contrasting sharply with the city's bustle.
Evelyn's colleagues prepared for bed when engine sounds interrupted.
Peering out, they recognized the boss's distinctive car model immediately.
Employees - male and female alike - hastily dressed and gathered in the courtyard.
Dominic remained in his parked car. Surveying the crowd, he asked, "Is Evelyn asleep?" "Um...I don't think so," a female colleague answered after glancing at a dark second-floor window. "She went out earlier - said she'd visit her childhood home. Told us not to worry."
"Get some rest," Dominic said curtly before reversing and driving away.