Mrs. Lawrence stared blankly at Alexander Vance, then at Evelyn Ross, doubting her own hearing. "What?"

Alexander's expression remained cold. He did not repeat himself.

Evelyn offered a faint smile. "Just do as he says. Have your husband bring the contract to the Vance Group tomorrow morning."

Mrs. Lawrence fell silent.

She couldn't help but study Alexander again. The man wore casual clothes, yet he exuded an innate nobility that set him apart from ordinary people.

Could he be… a member of the Vance family?

As Mrs. Lawrence wondered, she saw Evelyn pick up Chloe and settle into the back seat of the car. Alexander took the driver's seat.

Mrs. Lawrence was speechless.

This man seemed to be Grace's driver?

Or perhaps Grace's husband?

She must be overthinking it.

Mrs. Lawrence shook her head, gathered her son, and drove home.

…

On the way home, Chloe clung tightly to Evelyn, her small body radiating anxiety.

She whispered, "Mommy, did I cause trouble…"

Evelyn's heart melted. She held the child closer. "No, Chloe is the best."

The child couldn't grasp the complexities of the adult world, only sensing the tension instinctively. Her small hands refused to let go. "Mommy, will you abandon Chloe?"

"Never."

Evelyn gently patted her back. Even after arriving home, Chloe still wouldn't release her grip.

That evening, Evelyn found herself with a tiny appendage.

During dinner, Chloe insisted on sitting on her lap.

While working, Chloe demanded to be held…

By the time Evelyn finished her tasks, it was late. She had just stood up when Alexander approached, extending his arms. "I'll put Chloe to bed."

Evelyn handed the child over.

But the moment she left Evelyn's embrace, Chloe began to squirm restlessly in her sleep, reaching out and murmuring, "Mommy, Mommy…"

Evelyn had no choice but to take her back.

She carried Chloe to the children's room and placed her on the bed, but the little one still clutched her sleeve tightly.

Evelyn simply lay down beside her.

After some time, she heard movement at the door. Turning her head, she saw Alexander standing there.

The bedroom was dark, the hallway light outlining his silhouette.

He had just showered. His hair was damp, the collar of his robe slightly open. His dark eyes watched her quietly.

Though he said nothing, the invitation was clear.

Evelyn blinked, pointing to the sleeve still held fast. She didn't move.

Alexander seemed to understand. He turned and left.

Evelyn thought he had accepted it. She adjusted her position, preparing to sleep beside Chloe.

Just as she was drifting off, she heard a faint sound.

Evelyn slowly turned her head. The man's tall figure stood beside the bed, bending over as if doing something.

Then, a soft "snip." The sleeve gripped by Chloe suddenly went slack.

Evelyn: ??

She looked down. Alexander had used scissors to cut away the part of her pajamas held by Chloe!

Evelyn was speechless.

She was about to speak when he placed a finger to his lips. His strong arms slid under her shoulders and knees, lifting her effortlessly.

His steps were silent, not disturbing Chloe. He quickly carried her out of the children's room and back to the master bedroom.

Evelyn: "...What are you doing?"

"Testing the new bed."

Evelyn smiled at him. "Just the bed?"

They were both adults. Evelyn knew exactly how much Alexander, after 28 years of celibacy, craved intimacy once he'd experienced it.

Alexander's face was stern, but the tips of his ears turned pink.

This man was so easy to tease…

As Evelyn thought this, he suddenly shrugged off his robe. "Testing the person again too."

"..."

The lights in the master bedroom went out. Soft rustling sounds filled the air.

Evelyn considered herself physically strong, but she was no match for him…

She didn't know when she fell asleep. The last thing she remembered was utter exhaustion, drifting into unconsciousness when he whispered in her ear, "Is the bed comfortable?"

She replied, "Yes."

She was so tired!

He asked again, "And the person? Is he comfortable?"

Evelyn: "..."

She slept soundly through the night. Mrs. Lawrence, however, spent the entire evening anxious.

Her husband had been working late, striving to secure the Vance Group project for their company.

He returned home late to find Mrs. Lawrence looking worried. He quickly asked what was wrong. She explained the incident at the kindergarten gate, apologizing, "I'm sorry. I might have ruined your big opportunity."

Mr. Lawrence was reasonable. "She saved your life. We couldn't stand by and do nothing. You did the right thing."

Mrs. Lawrence felt warmed by his words, but also more guilty.

She leaned into her husband's embrace. "What if we don't get the project?"

Mr. Lawrence comforted her. "Then we remain a second-tier wealthy family. Isn't the money our company makes enough to live on?"

Mrs. Lawrence smiled. Then she added, "But Grace and that man with her said you should take the contract to the Vance Group tomorrow to sign…"

Mr. Lawrence laughed. "How is that possible? I haven't received any notification… Besides, it was unlikely we would win the bid this time. Another company is stronger and more suitable."

Mr. Lawrence sighed. That was why he had been working so late.

Mrs. Lawrence nodded.

They went to bed. After just three hours, Mrs. Lawrence sat up. "Maybe you should go to the Vance Group and try? My savior sounded so certain. She didn't seem like someone who would lie…"

Mr. Lawrence smiled wryly. "I haven't received a call. What would I be trying?"

Mrs. Lawrence pushed him. "Just take the contract and go. It can't hurt to try!"

Half an hour later.

Mr. Lawrence stood outside the Vance Group's temporary office in New York, laughing at himself.

He must be out of his mind, listening to his wife and coming here.

Mr. Lawrence looked down at the contract, about to turn and leave, when Thomas Watson emerged from the Vance Group building. Spotting him, Thomas immediately called out, "Mr. Lawrence, isn't it?"