Chapter 855

Evelyn Ross fell silent. "Who are you?"

A low voice came from the other end of the line. "I'm Poppy. I'm here on behalf of Astrid to invite you. Consider joining us. Astrid can offer you resources far beyond what Fox can. Only by following us can you reach the end."

Evelyn sneered. "Why should I believe you?"

"Astrid knows your weakness. You want your mother to regain her freedom, don't you? She can promise you that. Rabbit, Astrid is the true leader. Fox is too emotional. Think it over carefully."

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "I need time to consider."

The other party hung up directly. Evelyn looked down at the call duration. Twenty-nine seconds. Exactly at the critical point for thirty-second location tracking. It seemed the other party was equally cautious and didn't fully trust her either.

She couldn't just turn to Poppy immediately after falling out with Natalie Castillo. That would be too obvious.

This act had to continue.

Evelyn sighed softly, turned, got into the car, and returned to the Vance residence.

As soon as she stepped through the door, Alexander Vance came to meet her. "How did it go?"

Evelyn shook her head. "She left. She seemed genuinely angry. She even blocked me on WhatsApp."

They were acting. Blocking on WhatsApp was just for show.

Alexander cleared his throat. "So, are you going to try to make up with her now?"

"Do I need to?" Evelyn wasn't familiar with the process after a falling out with a close friend.

Alexander took her arm. "No. Just wait at home. If anyone asks, tell the truth. Go with your genuine feelings."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

That sounded a bit... player-ish.

They walked side by side into the living room. The gaunt Elian Cross was already sitting on the sofa. Seeing them enter, he slowly stood up. "Will there be dinner tonight?"

Elian's little follower, Finn Larson, immediately spoke up. "My young master hasn't eaten for ten days, Miss Evelyn! Please, save him!"

The corner of Evelyn's mouth twitched.

This anorexia patient. She'd been gone for ten days, and he'd starved for ten days. All the little bit of weight he'd managed to gain before was completely gone again.

She walked resignedly into the kitchen. "Fine. I'll make you a bowl of fried rice first."

Elian nodded and sat back down on the sofa. His gaze followed the figure in the kitchen, his stunningly beautiful face etched with a deep, thoughtful look.

Seeing this, Alexander spoke. "Grace and Natalie had a falling out. Why didn't you leave with Natalie?"

Elian scoffed. "What? They split up, so I have to pick a side? Even if I had to choose, I could only follow Miss Evelyn. Without her, I'd starve to death. She's my lifeline."

Alexander fell silent.

Elian glanced at him coolly. "I know you want me gone. You think I'm in the way. Tough luck. I'm sticking with her for life. If something happens to her, I'd last three months at most before starving to death."

Last time, when Evelyn had her incident and came to New York, Elian had stubbornly starved for three or four months. When he saw her again, he was emaciated, a shadow of himself. It took a long time to nurse him back.

Hearing this from the kitchen, Evelyn couldn't help but frown.

She would be going to the Sterling Family soon. If she left Elian alone in New York, would he starve to death?

The thought made her feel a bit ridiculous, as if she were worrying about a child.

She shook her head and focused on frying the rice, also making an extra portion of braised pork.

Since she was leaving soon, she should fatten the kid up properly first. At least get some weight on him in the next half month. That way, even if she left later, he could hold on a bit longer.

When the food was served, Evelyn looked at Elian with a gaze full of motherly affection.

It made Elian's mouth twitch. He felt like someone was taking advantage of him.

The following week passed peacefully.

Natalie Castillo never returned, and Evelyn didn't go looking for her. Whenever anyone asked, Evelyn would say, "I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize? I already apologized. If she ignores me, what can I do?"

Even Elian couldn't help but think she was being a bit of a player.

During this week, Evelyn and Alexander, in a rare act of mercy, let Elian move directly into the Vance residence to mooch meals every day. Spencer Valentine also came by daily, looking pitiful, hoping his cousin would make up with his girlfriend.

Because his girlfriend had blocked him too.

But judging by the two women's attitudes, reconciliation seemed impossible. Spencer left dejectedly, feeling his relationship with Natalie was over.

Seeing him like that, Evelyn almost couldn't hold back from telling him the truth.

A week passed like this.

One day, Evelyn received that call again. "Rabbit, haven't you decided whether to join us yet?"

Evelyn lowered her eyes. "If I join you, what sincerity do you show?"

Poppy chuckled softly. "Our sincerity is great. So great that... I've come to visit you in person. How about that?"

Evelyn's pupils contracted. "Where are you?"

"Outside your house."