Chapter 686

Evelyn Sinclair glanced up. Little Oliver rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Beautiful Lady, I still haven't given you my gift yet. Just wait a moment."

She smiled softly and stepped inside at a leisurely pace. William Sterling shot her a disapproving look. "How many times must I remind you?"

His voice carried that familiar sternness. "It's freezing outside. You should know better than to go out without proper layers—"

Evelyn merely smiled, offering no defense.

William's gaze shifted to Lucas, who was busy fawning over Natalie Beaumont. His expression darkened instantly.

"What if your sister catches a cold? Don't you have the sense to look after her?"

Lucas blinked, bewildered. "Wh—What did I do now?"

Natalie stifled a laugh and nudged him. "Go fetch a shawl for Evelyn!"

Rubbing the back of his head, Lucas obediently grabbed the shawl and moved to drape it over Evelyn’s shoulders.

She blocked him, avoiding his touch. Only then did Lucas notice—her skin was ice-cold.

Her lips had even taken on a faint bluish tint. No wonder William was furious.

"Why would you run outside without proper clothing?" Lucas groaned. "Do you want our dear father to murder his favorite son on this national holiday?"

Evelyn forced a weak smile. "Wait."

She stepped further inside, her sharp gaze locking onto the two women who stood frozen in place.

They shrank back, not daring to meet her eyes, pressing closer to the older relatives.

Even Lucas, slow as he was, sensed something was wrong.

Evelyn wasn’t the type to punish herself like this. Unless—

William frowned. "What’s wrong, darling?"

Evelyn raised her hand, but Little Oliver suddenly bounded down the stairs, calling out excitedly, "Beautiful Lady! Happy New Year!"

Her hand dropped instantly.

Those filthy words had no place tainting a child’s ears.

Evelyn turned, her expression softening into a warm, natural smile.

"Happy New Year, Oliver!"

She’d deal with those two old hags after putting him to bed.

A quick glance at Lucas, and she added with a smirk, "Help me bring Oliver’s gift over."

Lucas rolled his eyes dramatically. "Always bossing your brother around!"

Despite his complaint, he obediently headed upstairs to retrieve the present.

But Oliver was faster. He eagerly thrust a small, ornate box into Evelyn’s hands. "This is for you, Beautiful Lady."

Evelyn studied the box. Something about it felt familiar.

Oliver had always been generous with his gifts—once even gifting her solid gold.

A flicker of unease stirred in her chest.

Under Oliver’s expectant gaze, she opened the box.

Gasps echoed around her.

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

The black pearls she’d seen at the auction earlier that day—each one perfectly round, impossibly rare—were now nestled in her palms.

Individually, they were priceless.

Together?

Her hands trembled slightly as she steadied herself.

An auction price of 880 million.

Even Nathan Blackwood had backed off, wary of the mysterious bidder behind them.

And now she knew why.

It had been Oliver all along.

Her emotions spiraled like a roller coaster.

It felt like she was holding a mountain of gold.

At this rate, she’d start believing money was the only thing she didn’t have.

"You—you bought these?"

Oliver grinned smugly. "Used an offshore account. Not that expensive. What matters is that you like them, Beautiful Lady!"

Evelyn’s jaw nearly dropped. "Does your father know about this?"

Oliver pouted. "He only found out this afternoon. But—" He straightened, serious. "This is from me! Daddy has nothing to do with it!"

He was adamant about drawing a clear line between Preston Sinclair and himself.

After all, he was the one who had painstakingly chosen this gift.