Chapter 953

Evelyn Sinclair had already slipped into her coat and wrapped her scarf around her neck, standing by the door with her bag in hand.

She moved too quickly.

Preston Sinclair didn’t waste a second, grabbing his belongings to follow her downstairs.

Outside, the air was biting, a fine drizzle misting the streets.

Preston took the wheel. The drive to the airport was a frustrating crawl, every red light stretching the minutes longer.

Yet, he made no move to call Oliver to warn him of their delay. By the time they arrived, over half an hour had slipped away.

Evelyn stepped out of the car, watching as Preston casually pulled out his phone to call Oliver’s bodyguard.

He glanced back at her. "They’re on their way."

Evelyn nodded. Less than two minutes later, she spotted the bodyguard and nanny Sophia approaching, with little Oliver Sinclair toddling between them.

Oliver was dressed in tiny denim overalls and a leather cap, looking every bit the mischievous little troublemaker. His cherubic face was unfairly adorable.

It had been a while since Evelyn had seen him. He’d grown taller, his sapphire eyes bright and clear.

Oliver hadn’t expected to see her there. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief before breaking into a run, arms outstretched.

"Pretty Lady!"

Evelyn smiled and waved at him. Just as Oliver was about to leap into her arms, Preston smoothly intercepted him, lifting the boy into the air with a deceptively gentle smile.

"Miss me, son?"

'He thinks he can just hug my girlfriend without permission? Not happening.' Preston thought.

Oliver pouted, legs kicking mid-air. "Oh, Daddy, you’re here too..."

Preston’s expression flattened.

Evelyn laughed, stepping forward to nudge Preston’s arm, silently urging him to put the boy down.

With a reluctant sigh, Preston released the little rascal.

The moment his feet touched the ground, Oliver was off like a shot, throwing himself at Evelyn and wrapping his arms around her legs. "Pretty Lady, I missed you so much!" His voice was pure sugar, melting her heart instantly.

Evelyn grinned down at him. "Welcome to Montecito, Oliver!"

He nodded enthusiastically before waving at the nanny and bodyguard behind him.

The two were hauling four massive suitcases between them, looking utterly exhausted.

Preston frowned. "Why so much luggage?"

Oliver beamed. "These are all gifts for Pretty Lady!"

Evelyn’s eyes widened. Oh no.

Already, Oliver was unzipping one of the suitcases. "When I was in Korea for the competition, someone gave me a real antique collectible! I brought it back—it’s your favorite color, red!"

Evelyn blinked. Since when did I like red?

The moment the suitcase popped open, her blood ran cold.

Inside lay a pair of ancient, blood-red embroidered shoes. A sinister aura seemed to seep from them.

Preston’s face darkened instantly. He snapped the suitcase shut, his voice sharp.

"Explain."

He turned to the nanny and bodyguard.

The nanny, raised overseas and unfamiliar with Montecito’s customs, shook her head in confusion. "Young Master bought them at an auction in Korea for a fortune. I heard they were stripped from a woman who’s been dead for a thousand years..."

The bodyguard’s mouth twitched. "I did advise the Young Master. If Ms. Sinclair doesn’t like them, he could always... gift them to you, Mr. Sinclair."