Chapter 213

Liam stepped into the room with measured steps.

Evelyn quickly snatched the check from the table and shoved it into her pocket before flashing him an embarrassed smile.

Noticing Margaret's distressed expression, he could easily deduce why Evelyn had wanted a private conversation with her.

Evelyn kept her gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact.

"You sent Victoria to the Aldenrian Military base last week," she ventured. "Did she not return with you today?"

"No," Liam answered curtly.

Her fingers twisted nervously. "Why didn't you bring her along? It's dangerous for her there without you."

Silence stretched between them.

Evelyn's face suddenly brightened. "Oh! You only came back to handle the divorce paperwork, didn't you? You're returning immediately after?" Her voice took on a knowing tone. "You didn't want to tire her with the journey."

"Ms. Hoffis—" Liam began heavily, but she cut him off again.

"You've always been so considerate, even as a boy," Margaret beamed. "I won't keep you any longer. I'll await your good news."

She turned toward the exit with visible excitement.

Evelyn spotted the forgotten handbag on the sofa. She grabbed it and hurried after the older woman.

"Grandmother, your bag," she called softly.

Margaret froze mid-step. She whirled around, her face draining of color.

Evelyn stiffened at the intense reaction.

Had she misspoken? Why such a dramatic response?

"Say that again," Margaret whispered, her hands trembling.

Confused, Evelyn extended the bag. "Your handbag."

"No." The older woman swallowed hard. "Call me 'grandmother' again."

Realization dawned. Evelyn's cheeks flushed. "My apologies, Ms. Hoffis. It slipped out in the moment."

Margaret studied her with unsettling intensity. The cadence of Evelyn's voice had been uncannily familiar.

A decade had passed since she'd last heard her real granddaughter's voice. Only a handful of phone calls during that single year of freedom—not enough to memorize the tone. Yet the way this young woman had said "grandmother"...

But Victoria had always been here. Why was she doubting?

Margaret forced a tight smile as she accepted the bag. "You resemble my granddaughter in more than just appearance, Ms. Carter. No wonder Eleanor became confused," she said with forced lightness.

Evelyn offered a strained smile in return.

Liam's chest constricted watching this exchange. The urge to reveal the truth and restore Cassandra's identity burned within him. But he couldn't. Not yet.

"Ms. Hoffis," he interjected politely, "might I have a word in private?"

Margaret brightened immediately. "Of course!"

Evelyn nodded at them both. "I'll excuse myself then."

She'd barely taken two steps when Liam caught her wrist.

"Wait for me in the parlor," he murmured.

Evelyn blinked up at him in surprise.

"Please follow me to the study, Ms. Hoffis." Liam gestured gracefully.

As Margaret moved toward the study, Liam held Evelyn's gaze for a weighted moment. "Don't leave," he repeated firmly. "Wait for me."

Without a word, Evelyn returned to the sofa and settled in to wait.