Owen Morgan's voice on the phone was as sure and arrogant as ever. "St. Mary's Hospital, inpatient unit. Evelyn, I'm waiting for you."

Evelyn Howard tightened her grip on the phone, her voice strained. "I'm not coming."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a soft chuckle. "Oh really? Are you done worrying about your sister? Evelyn, I don't have time for games. You'll come whether you like it or not. Otherwise..."

His voice lowered, carrying a clear threat. "Your sister in the ICU can forget about getting any more medical care."

Evelyn's heart clenched tightly. Her sister—her one vulnerability. Images of her sister's pale face in the hospital room and the mounting medical bills filled her mind. Evelyn's slender frame trembled slightly until suddenly, a comforting hand rested on her shoulder from behind.

"Are you okay?" a deep voice asked, full of reassuring warmth.

Evelyn looked up into Everett Scott's eyes. There was no curiosity, no pity—just calm concern. In that instant, her racing heart settled.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn's voice steadied. She spoke clearly, "Owen Morgan, I'm married!"

Silence followed before Owen spoke again, disbelief evident in his voice. "Married? To whom?"

He couldn't believe anyone in Manchester would dare marry the woman he was after.

"It's none of your business. Just know that you should stop bothering me."

With that, Evelyn hung up and immediately blocked Owen's number.

On the way back, Evelyn occasionally glanced at Everett Scott beside her, pondering how to bring up her sister's situation. Just then, Everett received a call.

"Are they here?" His voice was deep, unemotional. After a brief exchange, he hung up.

Noticing Everett's gaze on her, Evelyn asked softly, "What's going on?"

"A relative has come from London. I've planned dinner to welcome them. Would you like to join me?" Everett proposed.

Evelyn pressed her lips together nervously. Were they already meeting family so soon after tying the knot?

Sensing her hesitation, Everett said kindly, "It's okay if you're not ready yet."

Meeting Everett's gaze, Evelyn took a deep breath. "I'll go with you." After all, she had already married Everett, and meeting his family was inevitable. Besides, she needed his help regarding her sister's situation. Perhaps after meeting his family, she'd find a chance to discuss it.

As the car drove through the city, neon lights bathed her delicate profile in silence.

They arrived at the familiar restaurant. Upon entering the private room, Evelyn saw an elderly man with gray hair but bright eyes. She realized she wasn't as composed as she thought.

She had little experience dealing with elders. What if Everett's family didn't accept her?

Seeing her anxiety, Everett gently squeezed her hand and warmly greeted the elder. "Grandpa Romero, it's been a long time."

He shook their clasped hands slightly and introduced her, "This is my wife, Evelyn Howard."

"Honey, this is Grandpa Romero, a close friend of my grandfather."

The warmth of Everett's hand instantly calmed Evelyn's racing heart. Blushing, she greeted, "Hello, Grandpa Romero."

Jensen Romero eyed Evelyn discerningly, then nodded approvingly. "Hello, Evelyn. Please, take a seat."

No sooner had Evelyn settled into her seat than Jensen mildly admonished Everett, "You rascal, you didn't even tell us about getting hitched."

Evelyn thought he was displeased with her, and she stiffened. But Jensen laughed heartily. "I bet old Scott doesn't know yet, does he? Am I the first to hear this great news?"

Everett was relaxed around Jensen but showed clear respect. Sitting beside Evelyn, he nodded lightly. "Yes, we just got our license and haven't told the family yet."

Jensen gave Everett a satisfied pat on the shoulder. "Good job, you picked a lovely wife."

"Just last week, fishing with your grandfather, he was worried that with your attitude, you'd end up on your own forever. Little did he know you'd head to Manchester and secretly tie the knot."

"When will you inform the family? Ideally, head back to London and throw a big party. Give your grandparents something to celebrate."

Hearing this, Evelyn tensed again. The insecurity she had pushed aside rushed back. How could she, an ordinary woman, marry someone like Everett from a distinguished London family?

Sensing her unease, Everett gestured for the dishes to be served, steering the conversation elsewhere. "There's no hurry, Grandpa Romero. Tonight is about you."

Jensen chuckled, raising his coffee cup. "Alright, alright. I know you're on top of things. No more questions."

"Evelyn," Romero turned his warm smile to her, "I didn't know you were married when I came, so I didn't bring a gift. Here's a card with some money. Treat yourself."

With that, Romero placed a black card on the table and nudged it toward her.

Evelyn's eyes widened. Was this one of those limitless black cards you read about in romance novels? Who accepts such an extravagant gift upon first meeting?

She hurriedly declined, "Oh, no, no, Grandpa Romero, I couldn't."

Romero feigned sternness, "It's just a token. If you don't accept it, you're offending me!"

Afraid of upsetting him, Evelyn glanced at Everett for help. Seeing her pleading, watery eyes, his heart softened, and he gently ruffled her hair. "Take it. Grandpa Romero's not short on cash. No worries."

Evelyn hesitated, "But..."

Romero 's face turned mock-stern. "If you keep refusing, I'll really get grumpy."

With no choice, Evelyn took the card, "Then I'll accept it, thank you, Grandpa Romero." She decided to return it to Everett later, unwilling to use it.

During dinner, Romero asked about Evelyn's work. Learning she was a teacher, and Clover Scott's teacher no less, he nodded with satisfaction and playfully challenged her to guess his profession.

There was no way Evelyn could know, so she discreetly squeezed Everett's hand under the table.

Everett raised an eyebrow, his tone nonchalant. "Grandpa Romero is a specialist in neurology."

Neurology. Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief. Could he really be Jensen Romero, the professor?

Jensen Romero, a lifelong professor at Oxford Medical University and a leading authority in neurology, sat across from Evelyn Howard. After her sister fell ill, Evelyn had combed through every expert in neurology. She had pored over Professor Romero's published papers so many times she could summarize each abstract by heart. Sadly, Professor Romero had retired some time ago. Evelyn had asked around but learned he had been off the radar for years. She had no other choice but to contact his protégé, Dr. Robert Haynes.

Now, with the distinguished professor smiling warmly across the table from her, Evelyn felt as if she were dreaming.

"I never imagined a young lady like you would know my name," Professor Romero remarked with a friendly chuckle. "Seems like I'm a touch more famous than old Mr. Scott. I'll be sure to boast about it next chance I get."

He acknowledged her.

Evelyn's breath quickened; there was hope for her sister. His words pierced through the bleakness she'd lived in for two years. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly on the floor.

"Professor Romero, I—"

She paused before continuing, anxiety in her voice.

"My sister suffered a stroke at fifteen and has been in a coma ever since. The doctors here can't determine the cause, and they're afraid surgery is too risky, so they keep delaying..."

Her words spilled out in a rush, fearing she’d miss an opportunity if she paused even briefly.

"I know you're retired, and asking for your help is a big favor, but I'm prepared to pay anything! Please, help my sister!"

With this plea, she stood earnestly, aware of the boldness of her request. Tonight was supposed to be a dinner welcoming her as Everett Scott's new wife, a chance to impress the elders. But she couldn't wait any longer. Her sister had been in the ICU for two years, losing more of herself each day. Dr. Haynes kept insisting on more observation. Professor Romero was her only hope in this lifetime. Even if it spoiled the dinner, even if Professor Romero deemed her reckless, even if Everett ended up dismayed—she had to make the request.

A silence blanketed the room for a few seconds.

Evelyn focused on the floor, her heart pounding like a drum.

"My dear," Professor Romero said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "Please, sit down. There's no need for such urgency."

Evelyn sat up straight, her eyes already shimmering with tears.

Professor Romero wasn't annoyed; instead, he looked at her with empathy. He softly patted her hand and said, "Since you're married to Everett, we're family now. I've retired, yes, but I can still come up with a plan. Let's enjoy dinner first, and then we'll talk it over."

Evelyn nodded intensely, unable to speak as her throat tightened with emotion.

Throughout the meal, she barely tasted her food. She mechanically moved her fork around, the flavors absent from her senses. Her gaze frequently drifted to Professor Romero, wanting to speak but fearing her eagerness might spoil everything, her anxiety causing her fingers to tremble.

Finally, as dinner ended, she immediately pulled out her phone to show her sister’s medical records.

"Professor Romero, my sister's name is Gianna, she's seventeen now, and she's been in a coma for two years. Here are all her medical reports..."

Professor Romero took the phone, scrolling through the files one by one. Evelyn watched him closely, observing his expressions—sometimes focused, occasionally furrowing his brow, then relaxing. Her heart pounded as if it might leap from her chest. Time seemed to stretch, each second a painful wait.

At last, Professor Romero raised his head. "The situation isn't too grim," he stated.

"But I'll need to examine her personally for an accurate diagnosis."

Not too grim—those words were like a lifeline pulling Evelyn back from despair. Tears unexpectedly welled up in her eyes.

"Thank you..." she managed to say, overwhelmed with emotion.

Professor Romero didn’t respond, instead sharing a significant look with Everett Scott.

Grinning, he handed the phone back to Evelyn, his eyes playfully teasing. "No need to thank me. I'm here at someone’s invitation. I'll be staying in Oxford for a while. If you trust me, I can arrange a surgical team for your sister’s treatment."

At someone’s invitation. Staying in Oxford. Evelyn’s tears still clung to her face, yet she froze momentarily.

She turned to the man beside her. Everett was sipping coffee, his long fingers wrapped around a porcelain cup, his expression indifferent as if this dinner was perfectly routine.

But Evelyn wasn't naive. Professor Romero had been retired for years, difficult to meet even with persistent efforts. Why would he suddenly appear in Oxford, suddenly here on someone’s invitation? Clearly, Everett had brought him here for her benefit.

Realizing this, Evelyn felt a wave of emotion overcome her.

As the dinner ended, Everett's assistant escorted Professor Romero back to his hotel.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, the early spring breeze lifted Evelyn's hair, but she felt far from cold. She watched Everett’s figure retreat, her thoughts spinning.

"Mind the chill," Everett said, turning back to shield her from the breeze. "Let’s get in the car."

His voice remained gentle, as if nothing had changed. Yet Evelyn stood her ground, suddenly grasping his hand.

Everett glanced down at her slender, cool fingers.

"It was you, wasn’t it?" Evelyn asked, her eyes slightly red but determined to meet his gaze. "You invited Professor Romero from the city."

The night air swirled between them, lifting her hair against his hand.

Everett remained silent.

His silence was its own confession.

"Why?" Evelyn’s voice was gentle, filled with gratitude and wonder.

She paused for a moment, then kept walking, resolute against the insults from petty people like Owen Morgan and his relatives. "You’re far better than them," she said to Everett softly. With that thought, she held Everett’s hand tighter and walked away without a backward glance.

Even from a distance, she could feel Owen Morgan's stare piercing her back like a nail. She took a deep breath, looked up at Everett, and whispered, "Don't let their words get to you."

Everett glanced down at her, his expression attentive and contemplative. "It’s already too late for that. But tell me, were you truthful when you said Owen doesn’t hold a candle to me?"

Evelyn paused, unsure how to reply.

"Love?" Everett gently tilted his head, a hint of disappointment crossing his face. He was becoming more accustomed to calling her that, though his attempt at feigned hurt was still somewhat awkward.

Evelyn didn’t mind the awkwardness. She smiled softly and nodded sincerely, "Of course, it's true. Owen couldn’t ever compare to you."

Everett's face brightened considerably.

While Evelyn's spirits dipped momentarily, it wasn’t because of Owen’s insults. Those people meant little to her. What troubled her was drawing Everett into a situation where he was demeaned, mistaken for a kept man.

"I'm sorry," Evelyn whispered, "for dragging you into this, for allowing them to insult you."

Everett paused and spoke softly, "Hold on a moment."

Evelyn watched, puzzled, as Everett pushed back through the crowd, unsure of what he was doing.

Where was he going?

Confused, she stood by the shopping cart, observing the sea of unfamiliar faces passing by.

Then, amidst her uncertainty, a sweet-scented ice cream cone appeared before her, fringed with colorful sprinkles.

"Want some?" Everett's gentle voice reached her ears.

Evelyn looked up, the sunlight streaming in behind him, creating an aura that hid his expression. Yet his eyes shone more warmly than the sun itself.

In the bustling town center, Everett Scott was holding an ice cream cone, his attention focused intently on Evelyn Howard. His voice, deep and soothing, was filled with a rare tenderness. "I've heard that a little sugar can lift your spirits when you're feeling down."

Even though he had taken the blame for her getting scolded, he still bought her an ice cream to cheer her up. Evelyn felt a warmth of gratitude swell in her heart.

"Thank you," she said, accepting the cone appreciatively, licking the slightly melted ice cream with satisfaction. She squinted her eyes. "This is really delicious. Why didn't you get one for yourself?"

Evelyn glanced at Everett, but his eyes were fixed on the ice cream on her lips. After a moment, he looked away. "I'm not much for sweets," he replied, somewhat awkwardly.

Evelyn tilted her head, taking another bite. "Oh, I see. Not a fan of sweets? You're missing out on some great flavors."

As soon as she finished speaking, Everett suddenly leaned closer, gently lifting her wrist as he bent down towards the ice cream cone.

Evelyn was caught off guard. She watched in surprise as Everett's face came incredibly close. By the time she processed what had happened, he had already released her hand.

She stood there, looking at him in a daze. Everett casually wiped the cream from his lips with his thumb and asked, "Just wanted to try something sweet. You don't mind, do you?"

"How was it?" Evelyn's mind went blank, the question slipping out unbidden.

Everett paused, his gaze softening, his voice low. "Not bad at all."

Meeting his eyes, Evelyn felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. The ice cream cone suddenly felt like a hot potato in her hand. She lowered her head and quickly walked away. She was practically burning with embarrassment.

Everett watched her hasty retreat, a playful smile on his lips as he followed her with a shopping cart. She was such a wonderful person; some people weren't even worth her time.

Penny Silva stood there, stunned by Evelyn's sharp words that had left her speechless. By the time she recovered, the two of them had long disappeared. Furious, she stamped her foot and immediately called Owen Morgan.

The call rang for several moments before being answered, his voice as cold as ice. "What do you want?"

"Brother," Penny's voice was filled with indignation and frustration. "Do you know what I just saw? That Evelyn was with some guy at the mall..."

"Penny!"

Owen's icy tone cut her off. Penny paused, quickly backtracking, "Sorry, brother. I didn't mean it. I'm just upset she dared to betray you..."

"My affairs are none of your business," Owen said sternly. "I warn you, if you start spreading rumors to her again, I'll cut off your allowance. And those projects your family is working on, I can pull the plug anytime."

Penny's face went pale immediately, filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, brother, I didn't mean to..."

The line went dead.

Penny clutched her phone, regret washing over her. She should have known better than to mess with Evelyn. But what about her cousin? Did he truly not care about Evelyn anymore? If not, why didn't he react when he heard she was with another guy?

Unbeknownst to her, Owen wasn't indifferent. He had immediately pressured the mall management to release their security footage from that afternoon, only to find out Everett had already taken care of it. Nothing showed up on the recordings.

Outside the town center, a cool breeze welcomed them. Everett was putting the shopping bags into the trunk when he received a message from his assistant.

"Mr. Scott, I found out that the Morgan family is trying to acquire a piece of land near the city outskirts. A few permits are pending. Should I make some calls?"

Everett glanced at Evelyn in the passenger seat, his fingers tapping lightly as he replied with three words: "Delay the process."

He then pocketed his phone with a calm expression and got into the car.

Seeing him return, Evelyn instinctively put her phone away and asked, "Is everything settled?"

Everett nodded. "Yeah. It's getting late. Do you want to dine out or eat at home?"

Evelyn thought for a moment, her smile brightening. "Let's go home."

No matter what was available outside, she still craved Everett's cooking.

Everett lightly tapped the steering wheel. Home. He liked that word. He chuckled softly and started the engine. "Alright, I'll whip up something special at home."

The weekend passed quickly, and with the start of a new week, rumors about Evelyn being married began spreading at school. Initially, Evelyn felt anxious, the memory of previous gossip still fresh. Even though the defamatory articles had been suppressed, whispers still lingered. But gradually, the atmosphere started to shift.

Colleagues who once avoided her began greeting her again. Even Director Clark, during a meeting, specifically advised, "Don’t spread rumors. Trust our school's teachers." After the last incident, Evelyn knew the director hadn't suddenly grown a conscience. It was likely the principal had intervened for her, prompting the director to stop causing trouble.

With Director Clark setting the tone, many colleagues began reconciling with Evelyn. They still had to work together, so Evelyn didn't make things difficult for them. She just mused on how her life had improved since marrying Everett.

That evening, she shared this with Everett while he was cooking.

Everett was in the kitBennettsautéing. Hearing her, a smile twinkled in his eyes. "As long as you're happy."

Evelyn leaned against the kitBennettdoor, watching him deftly handle the pan, and suddenly asked, "Did you have a hand in this?"

Everett didn't look up, feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"

"Well... Even with the news about my marriage, my colleagues' attitudes changed so quickly." Evelyn pondered. "And the fact that the defamatory articles disappeared—everyone says I've got someone powerful backing me..."

She wondered if these rumors were orchestrated by Everett. If so, had she just traded one cage for another, escaping Owen only to fall into Everett's?

It wasn't a lack of gratitude; she just didn't want to be under someone else's control. Everett turned off the stove, plated the dish, and then faced her.

"I haven't done anything. Maybe they know you have someone behind you and don't dare to act rashly."

Evelyn realized she might have overthought it. Everett and Owen were worlds apart. She smiled. "I understand. Thank you."

Everett smiled back, handing her the plate. "Set the table; dinner’s ready."

Evelyn took the plate to the table. Behind her, Everett's gaze lingered on her retreating form for a moment. She didn’t need to know the lengths he went to for her. Some people weren't even worth her thoughts.