Chapter 305

Victoria Dawson shot up from her seat. "I object!" she declared loudly.

Archibald Hoffis paid no attention to the protest. His calm gaze settled on Julian Whitmore. "Julian, Ms. Wright came here for you. Do you still have feelings for her?"

Evelyn Carter turned her mesmerizing eyes toward Julian. That gentle gaze could melt any man's resistance. Though he knew her intentions weren't pure, he couldn't help but murmur, "Let her stay."

A grateful smile curved Evelyn's lips as she nodded at Julian.

"From this moment," Archibald announced with authority, "Ms. Wright and her companion shall be honored guests of the Hoffis family. No one may ask them to leave."

"Grandfather!" Victoria protested.

"You senile old man," Margaret Hoffis muttered under her breath.

Victoria's phone vibrated sharply. She pulled it out impatiently, scowling when she saw Julian's name on the screen. What could he possibly want now?

Julian tossed his phone onto the table with a grim expression. As Victoria read the message, her face darkened.

"Abort the mission to get close to Liam. Forget about inheriting the Hoffis fortune for now. Archibald's health appears stable - he could live for decades."

"The organization has confirmed: Evelyn Carter is still alive. Your priority is locating her and securing the remaining hydronium."

Victoria deleted the message with a sharp jab of her finger. "Fine," she spat. "She can stay. But cross me, and you'll regret it."

With that, she stormed upstairs. Julian offered a polite bow before retreating to his study. Margaret's glare burned into Evelyn's back.

Evelyn exchanged a relieved glance with Rosalind Baskins. They'd won this round.

One week later...

Rosalind burst into Evelyn's room, panic written across her face. "Evelyn! You need to see this!" she gasped, thrusting her phone forward.

Evelyn set aside her book, frowning. "What's wrong?"

Rosalind locked the door before rushing over. Her hands trembled as she pulled up the trending news. Evelyn's face drained of color as she read the headline:

"Purple Mushroom Cloud Over Aldenria Border"

The article detailed a massive explosion near the Aldenrian frontier, with a bizarre purple mushroom cloud rising into the sky. Casualty numbers remained unknown.

"Evelyn... it's purple," Rosalind whispered, her voice shaking.

Evelyn's breathing turned shallow. With trembling fingers, she dialed a number. "Rosalind, book us tickets to Aldenria. Now."

Rosalind swallowed hard. "Is there... radiation?"

"No," Evelyn answered sharply, phone pressed to her ear. Silent tears tracked down her cheeks when the call went unanswered. "Liam, please pick up!" she begged.

"Maybe General Blackwood isn't even in Aldenria," Rosalind offered weakly while searching for flights.

Evelyn tried three more times. No answer. She then called Adrian Castillo and Ryan Sullivan - both lines rang endlessly.

"Evelyn, there are no flights available."

Determination hardened Evelyn's features. She began throwing essentials into a bag. Rosalind rushed to do the same.

The world watched in horror as news of the mysterious purple explosion spread across every continent.