Alexander Vance carried Evelyn Ross to the bed.

His tall frame covered hers.

Their cheeks pressed together, noses touching, breaths mingling, hot and intense.

He stared at her, afraid to blink, terrified she might vanish again.

His lips moved to her ear, his breath warming her sensitive skin.

His voice was hoarse with boundless joy. "Evelyn, you're finally back... You're really alive..."

His words made her heart ache.

She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and kissed his chin.

The touch made him tremble.

He could no longer resist the drug's effects. He cupped her chin and kissed her deeply.

His burning hands gently but firmly undressed her...

Evelyn's body shook slightly.

She was fit and skilled, once imagining their wedding night as an equal match.

But her strength was no match for his.

Half her body hung off the bed's edge...

Alexander pulled her back into his embrace.

He held her close, feeling her real presence, terrified she might leave again...

Time passed. They lay breathless and exhausted, wrapped in each other's arms, falling into a deep sleep...

Evelyn had been on edge since yesterday, awake all last night, utterly drained.

She didn't know Alexander hadn't slept a minute since her accident.

Seventy-two hours straight without rest.

Now, with his obsession fulfilled, his mind and body finally relaxed, giving out completely...

......

Evelyn woke groggily to a faint sound at the door.

She quickly pulled the blanket over them both.

Mrs. Davis entered with disdain, snapping random photos with her phone. "Get up now," she whispered sharply. "We're returning to New York."

She turned and left.

Evelyn checked her phone. 5 a.m. The sky outside was still dark...

By the moonlight, she looked at Alexander.

He was still asleep, exhausted, his fingers still interlaced with hers.

Evelyn gently freed her hand and quickly gathered her clothes from the floor.

She dressed quietly.

She tiptoed toward the door.

Pausing there, she glanced back.

The sleeping man seemed to sense something, his brow furrowing.

Evelyn looked away.

One night of indulgence was enough. She had no right to be selfish.

Her mother needed saving.

The mastermind behind it all needed to be exposed...

As for Alexander, he had his own responsibilities. He couldn't abandon Sophia Watson...

This was for the best.

Their luggage had already been packed by Mrs. Davis. She stepped out, closing the door softly behind her.

Goodbye, Alexander Vance.

......

On the road back to New York.

It was still early. Little Chloe slept soundly in her car seat.

Evelyn sat beside her, not mentioning last night.

Mrs. Davis couldn't hold back. "Zack, what's your plan? I saw it happen! Shouldn't we wait for Mr. Vance to wake up and negotiate?"

Zack smiled. "Mom, don't worry. We tricked Mr. Vance. It's safest to return to New York now. I checked. The Vance family has no business in New York. If he wakes up angry, he can't find us. But if he's interested in Grace, he'll come to New York. Then we can connect."

Mrs. Davis grinned. "Smart thinking!"

Zack glanced at Evelyn in the rearview mirror, noticing the red marks on her neck. His eyes narrowed.

He sneered. "Grace, why the long face? I haven't touched you in two years. Did you enjoy last night? Tell me, how is a wealthy man like Mr. Vance different from me?"

Evelyn smirked. "He's much bigger than you."

Zack was stunned.

His face darkened. "Grace, how can you say that? You have no shame!"

"Less shame than you, sending your wife to another man's bed?"

Zack was speechless.

He never expected Grace, whom he'd suppressed for years, to fight back.

Mrs. Davis scoffed. "Grace, getting slept by Mr. Vance makes you bold? It was just a one-night stand. Don't think you're Mrs. Vance now."

Zack laughed mockingly. "A used woman who's had a child and been married is only good for a private fling. Grace, you don't really think Mr. Vance would want you, do you?"

Mrs. Davis warned, "Being slept by Mr. Vance is an honor! It's only because you look like his wife. Don't think you can disregard us just because you hooked up with him."

Their shameless discussion, right in front of Chloe, appalled Evelyn.

She stayed silent, not wanting to pollute Chloe's ears, and looked out the window.

Back in New York, would "their" Nan family contact her?

How did Grace Nan usually contact them?

How was the connection made?

As she pondered, Mrs. Davis asked Zack, "How long do you think before Mr. Vance comes looking for us?"

Zack frowned. "Hard to say. If he's not interested in Grace, he might never come. But if he misses his late wife too much, he might come in a few days?"

Mrs. Davis nodded. "Right... But when I entered the room this morning, it looked pretty intense... Grace is pretty and has a good figure..."

Zack sneered. "No matter how good, she's not Mrs. Vance. Who knows if Mr. Vance would break his routine and come to New York for her?"

Zack said disdainfully, "Mom, you don't know. Grace is dull and rigid. In bed, she's like a mummy. No excitement at all. I doubt she could hold Mr. Vance's attention. What a waste of that face."

They bickered the whole way, sometimes calling Evelyn shameless for being slept with so easily.

Other times saying she lacked the skill to keep Mr. Vance's interest.

They stopped at rest areas a few times.

They didn't notice a black Bentley speeding toward New York!!

Zack thought if Alexander was interested in Evelyn, he'd contact them in a few days. He never expected—

As their SUV stopped at the Nan family villa, a group of black-clad bodyguards stood there.

A tall figure waited calmly at the entrance...

It was Alexander Vance!

Though sleep-deprived for three days and drugged, he woke with unease after Evelyn left.

Finding her gone, he immediately tracked Zack's location and pursued them.

Now, anxious, his gaze locked onto the slender figure getting out of the car holding Chloe!!

Evelyn wasn't wearing a mask today. Her face was clearly visible to Alexander...