Chapter 359

Evelyn Sinclair tucked the mysterious item into her jacket pocket with careful precision.

She strode purposefully toward Blue Honors Club.

At the intersection, a grimy hand suddenly clutched at her coat hem. "Miss...could you spare some change?"

Lillian Prescott removed her sunglasses in irritation.

Her nose wrinkled at the sight of the disheveled homeless man clinging to her designer coat.

The man reeked of alcohol, his tattered jacket barely covering layers of filth. Dirt caked his face so thoroughly his natural skin tone was indistinguishable. He looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks.

Lillian's lip curled in disgust.

"Get lost!" She kicked out sharply with her stiletto boot.

Noticing the smudge on her coat where he'd touched, her frown deepened.

This brand-new Dior would have to be discarded now!

She turned to leave, but the drunkard lunged forward, wrapping surprisingly strong arms around her legs.

The stench of cheap liquor made her gag.

"No money, no freedom!" he slurred, tightening his grip.

Enraged, Lillian kicked and stomped violently. Though intoxicated, the man's strength forced her to exert considerable effort to break free. In the struggle, her cashmere scarf slipped loose without her noticing...

"Su...Suzy?" The homeless man froze, suddenly sobered as if struck by lightning. He gaped at her exposed face.

Lillian's hands flew to her loosened scarf.

Panicked like a thief caught mid-crime, she hastily rewrapped it while scanning the area for cameras or reporters. The last tabloid scandal had been damaging enough.

If headlines screamed "Sweetheart Starlet Lillian Prescott Attacks Homeless Man," the backlash would ruin her carefully cultivated image - both publicly and with her adoptive parents.

This couldn't happen.

Fortunately, the bitter winter kept most pedestrians indoors. Only a few distant figures hurried past, oblivious.

Who cared about some drunk vagrant in freezing weather?

Muttering curses, Lillian gave the man wide berth as if avoiding contagion and hurried back toward the club.

Unnoticed, the homeless man began trailing her at a distance.

When he saw the doorman bowing Lillian into the luxurious clubhouse, a spark of recognition lit his bloodshot eyes. 'Suzy...that woman resembles you so much. Could she be...our daughter?'

Meanwhile at dinner...

The Persian cat suddenly perked up, twitching its nose at an irresistible scent. In a flash, it leapt from the table and dashed away.

"Mommy! Kitty's running!" Isabella's eyes welled up as she scrambled after the fleeing cat.

"Isabella!" Evelyn scooped up her distraught daughter. "The kitty's going back to its owner. We'll get you your own kitten soon, okay?"

"But Great-grandpa doesn't allow pets..." The little girl pouted, nibbling her finger.

Dominic dabbed his lips elegantly. "We're moving out soon. You and Alexander can each have a pet then - if you promise to care for them properly."

Isabella's face lit up. "Really, Daddy?"

"Father never breaks his word," Alexander declared with absolute faith, already imagining his future pet.

"That kitty was so pretty. What if someone takes it?" Isabella worried aloud.

Evelyn considered this. The exquisite Persian cat might tempt even wealthy patrons. To reassure her daughter, she suggested checking on it.

Dominic agreed - Preston Worthington's establishment had impeccable security.

In the restroom...

Lillian held open the specially formulated cat food, its aroma ten times more potent than standard fare. Even a pampered Persian couldn't resist.

Right on cue, the snow-white cat appeared, meowing hungrily at the tantalizing scent.

"Here, precious..." Lillian cooed, extending the treat while her other hand concealed a syringe.

The cat approached cautiously...then froze.

Its keen eyes spotted the glint of metal in Lillian's hidden hand.

With a terrified yowl, it vaulted onto a nearby planter, hissing furiously.

The treacherous woman had tried to stab it!

"Don't you want this delicious food?" Lillian forced sweetness into her voice, waving the can.

The Persian flicked its tail contemptuously, gazing down its nose at her with undisguised disdain.

Lillian's grip tightened on the syringe. That insufferable creature would make excellent stew!