Chapter 560

Evelyn responded.

She got out of bed and pushed open the bedroom door.

Chloe was pacing back and forth in the hallway.

The Sterlingny whispered gently, "Little miss, let's go play in the garden? Madam is still resting. Sir said we mustn't disturb her."

Chloe, with her little hands clasped behind her back, nodded obediently.

She lowered her tiny voice. "Shh—don't wake Mommy."

Evelyn's heart softened.

She crouched down and scooped the little one into her arms.

Chloe immediately wrapped her arms around Evelyn's neck.

"Mommy's awake! I missed you so much!"

Evelyn chuckled softly. "Didn't we just see each other last night?"

When she returned from the Ashcroft house yesterday, the Sterlingny said Chloe insisted on waiting for her.

The little girl had grabbed her hand and asked, "Mommy won't abandon Chloe, right?"

Evelyn's heart had clenched at that moment.

Looking at the child's innocent face, she couldn't bring herself to say, "Your mother is gone."

She could only hold Chloe tighter and promise solemnly, "Mommy will never leave you."

And this morning, the child was waiting by the door again.

The Sterlingny explained quietly, "Madam, the little miss has been especially clingy these past two days. She wants to find you as soon as she wakes up. I told her you were sleeping, and she's been waiting here for three hours."

The child kept a regular schedule and woke up early.

Chloe had gotten up at seven, finished breakfast, and then stationed herself here.

Evelyn frowned. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure." The Sterlingny leaned closer. "The little miss was calling for Mommy in her sleep last night. Has something happened recently? I feel she's been particularly anxious."

Something happened?

Only one thing—the Fox said she would take Chloe away.

The child was indeed sensitive. She had already sensed the danger, hence the clinginess.

Evelyn gently patted Chloe's back.

"Don't be afraid. As long as Mommy is here, no one can take you away."

Only then did Chloe relax, resting her little head on Evelyn's shoulder.

Evelyn turned and entered the bathroom to wash up.

"Mommy needs to wash her face. Chloe, play with Auntie for a little while, okay?"

"Okay."

Evelyn walked into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and washed her face.

She reached for a towel, but a small hand offered one first.

Evelyn paused.

Looking down, she saw Chloe had followed her in without her noticing.

The little girl held a towel in both hands.

A face towel wasn't large, but held in those tiny hands, it seemed especially big.

Chloe looked up, her dark, grape-like eyes moist, making one's heart melt.

Evelyn felt a sharp pang in her chest.

She took the towel, dried her face, then crouched to pick Chloe up.

"Why didn't you go play?"

"I wanted to stay with Mommy."

Chloe asked in a soft, thin voice, "Is that okay?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment.

"It's okay."

Alexander's voice came from the doorway.

"We're attending Anthony Castillo's engagement party tonight."

Chloe immediately opened her eyes wide and looked at Evelyn.

Evelyn: "..."

Who could refuse under such a gaze?

She sighed softly.

"Alright, we'll take you."

Chloe's eyes immediately curved into happy crescents.

After everyone got ready and went downstairs, they were about to have lunch when hurried footsteps sounded at the entrance.

"Oh my, how can you still eat!"

Natalie Castillo rushed in, looking flustered and anxious.

"My brother is getting engaged to Nicole Sterling tonight! How can you be so calm? Grandpa said, whoever the family supports gets to marry. The one not supported will be in danger! Things have reached this point, and you still have the heart to eat?"

Natalie's voice was clear and lively, her personality bubbly.

Evelyn looked up at her.

"What brings you here?"

Natalie sighed.

"Seeing my brother at home just makes me angry, so I came to you to brainstorm. Our family has never been into arranged marriages. Why does it have to be my brother's turn? The key is he actually agreed! Yesterday he was arguing with Grandpa, and today it's like he's resigned to his fate, saying marrying a woman he doesn't love might be happier... I think he's lost his mind, brainwashed by Grandpa!"

After venting angrily, she turned and saw Chloe, reaching out to pinch the little girl's cheek.

"Little Chloe, did you miss me?"

She acted as if they were already close.

Chloe shrank back, avoiding her hand, and said in a milky voice, "I missed you, Auntie Natalie."

Natalie's face flushed.

"Don't call me that."

"Uncle Spencer told me to call you that."

Chloe didn't hesitate to throw Spencer under the bus.

Evelyn glanced around.

"Spencer doesn't seem to be home."

"I know. I have a date with him at noon."

Natalie sat down on the sofa and looked at Evelyn.

"My grandpa's views on love are problematic, but that's an older generation's thinking. Back then, it was all about parental arrangements and matchmakers. What era is this now... He got dumped by his first love, so he insists the one you can't have is the best. Now he's brainwashing my brother... Hmph, I just can't stand Grandpa's ways!"

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"Your grandpa's first love?"

Mentioning this, Natalie's eyes lit up.

"Don't let Grandpa's formidable appearance fool you. He's the former... ahem, anyway, he's never gotten over someone—his first love! I heard his first love didn't fancy him and just ran off pregSterlingt. Heh, afterwards, she'd only send a photo every now and then. When Grandma was alive, she kept a tight rein, and Grandpa didn't dare mention it. Well, it's only been half a year since Grandma passed, and he's already started looking for his first love. I think it's just unresolved feelings!"

She lowered her voice.

"He hides in his study every day looking at a photo of two women—one is his first love, the other is his daughter—thinking no one knows. One day I sneaked in and saw it..."

At this point, Natalie suddenly stared at Evelyn, looking her up and down.

"You know, the girl in the photo... she kind of looks like you."