Chapter 539

Evelyn sat quietly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her shirt.

Andrew Anderson's temples throbbed with visible veins, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. If not for his daughter's presence, he would have flipped the table by now.

"That bastard," he ground out through clenched teeth, his voice barely above a whisper. "He forced Evelyn into divorce for another woman, and now he has the audacity to come crawling back? And you—her biological father—just stand by and watch?"

Alexander Hamilton kept his head bowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. He knew any words now would only pour fuel on the fire.

Anthony Taylor sat between them, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"Andrew, please calm down. I know Alexander—he's not a bad person at heart, it's just..."

"At heart?" Andrew let out a cold laugh. "What heart? The heart that falls for every woman he sees?"

The teacup rattled loudly against the table.

Anthony wiped his brow. "Everyone deserves a second chance..."

"A second chance?" Andrew shot to his feet. "Did he ever give Evelyn a second chance?!"

Evelyn instinctively reached for her father's sleeve.

Anthony's expression shifted. "Andrew, listen to me—"

"There's nothing to say!" Andrew slapped away Anthony's outstretched hand. "Three conditions—take them or leave them."

"The first two are fine, but the third..." Anthony glanced helplessly at Alexander. "Hamilton Group genuinely needs Alexander's help right now..."

"Bullshit!" Andrew trembled with rage. "He's just using business as an excuse to get close to Evelyn!"

Alexander finally looked up. "Uncle Andrew, I—"

"Shut up!" Andrew jabbed a finger at him. "At the mall today, you were all over that Laurent girl—did you think I wouldn't see?"

Anthony turned to Alexander in shock.

"It was a misunderstanding," Alexander said with a bitter smile. "I've already had PR release a statement."

Andrew sneered. "Fine. Take your time discussing. Evelyn, we're leaving."

He pulled Evelyn up and stormed out, slamming a bill onto the front counter as they passed.

In the hospital corridor, Evelyn studied her father's rigid profile, her heart twisting into knots.

"Dad..."

Andrew's steps faltered, his posture suddenly seeming more stooped.

"Evelyn," he said hoarsely, "it's not that I'm against you reconnecting with your birth parents. It's just..." He rubbed his face roughly. "I'm afraid you'll get hurt."

Tears welled up in Evelyn's eyes instantly.

She threw her arms around him, breathing in the familiar scent of tobacco mixed with medicinal herbs.

"Dad, I remember when I had a fever as a child—you carried me two blocks to the hospital..."

Andrew's body trembled slightly.

"And how you always gave the meat to Emily and me while you ate plain buns..."

Something warm dripped onto the top of her head.

"Without you and Mom, I would have died in that orphanage." She looked up through her tears. "You'll always be my father."

Andrew's rough hand settled on her head, just like when she was little.

"Silly girl..." His voice cracked. "I just... can't bear to let you go."

Father and daughter stood under the plane tree outside the inpatient ward, neither in a hurry to return.

Andrew suddenly said, "The Taylors... they could give you a better life."

"I don't want a better life." Evelyn shook her head. "I just want you and Mom to be okay."

In the distance, a nurse's cart rattled by.

Andrew took a deep breath and straightened his back. "Come on, let's go see your mother. If that bastard dares to show his face again—"

His fists clenched with an audible crack of knuckles.

Evelyn laughed through her tears, linking her arm through his.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground, intertwined as one.