Outside, darkness had settled thickly over the city. After dinner, Charlotte had shut herself away in her room, busy with her latest research project.

Her phone screen lit up–a message from Evander: *It’s getting chilly tonight. Don’t turn the AC too low.*

Charlotte stared at the text for a while, fingers hovering over the

keyboard, but she didn’t reply.

Meanwhile, the Nebula Tech founder was hosting a cocktail party by his private pool. After sending Charlotte the message, Evander leaned against a high table, only to be approached by guests eager to clink glasses and chat.

One of the guests–a wealthy businessman–seemed poised to introduce him to a companion, but noticed the wedding band on Evander’s finger and quickly thought better of it.

“I heard Mr. Rayburn’s gone to the capital,” someone nearby remarked, not bothering to lower his voice. “Think he’s there to arrange a marriage with the Howard family?”

Evander took a slow sip of his drink, unmoved, the glass cool against his

lips.

“What marriage? Mr. Rayburn’s gone to the capital to look for his daughter!” another voice chimed in.

“Daughter? Since when does the Rayburn family have a daughter?”

“I heard there was one, but she was stillborn. Mrs. Rayburn lost her mind over it. With a man as devoted as Mr. Rayburn, you think he could just accept that? He’s convinced the child wasn’t really his daughter–has had people secretly investigating ever since.”

Evander set his glass down, his eyes drifting toward the small group deep

in conversation.

a classic switched–at–birth story,” one man

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swapped

heiress is.” Natalie approached, stopping at his side.

turned cold. “Who

sure yet. We’re looking into

eyes settled on the glass in his

assessment results. Vera passed the interview. She was so thrilled she could hardly believe it; Charlotte was genuinely happy for

rang–the caller ID

Wellness Retreat.*

at once. Whatever the person on the other end said made her cover her

Hiram had woken up.

the open door, she saw the medical team gathered around his bed.

room. Condensation fogged the inside of his oxygen

edged to the bedside, her hand trembling as she reached

speak but unable to form the words.

doctor nearby offered a gentle reminder. “Mrs. Howard,

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Chapter 298

being bedridden so long, his body

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