Chapter 403

Evelyn's blood boiled with barely contained fury. The realization that Liam remained oblivious to Victoria Hudson's blatant admiration for him made her grip her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.

What kind of bond did he think they shared? Was he truly this blind to the way Victoria practically worshipped him?

The moment Evelyn ended their call, Liam's number flashed across her screen again.

She declined with a sharp tap, only for it to ring a second time.

"My battery's dying," she typed hastily before powering off her device completely.

The cab pulled up along the bustling riverside promenade.

Tourists meandered between colorful stalls lining the wide boulevard, their laughter mixing with the scent of street food.

Evelyn wove through the crowd until she spotted Rosalind's stall at the far end.

"Cassandra!" Rosalind's face lit up like sunshine, jumping from her stool to wave enthusiastically.

Evelyn forced a smile as she approached, though her heart ached at the sight of Rosalind's modest display - handmade trinkets and costume jewelry arranged neatly on a folding table.

Even if Rosalind sold everything, she'd barely clear five hundred dollars.

Rosalind gestured to the lone stool. "Sit! I've been swamped all morning - couldn't even check my messages!"

"Business is good today?" Evelyn asked softly, watching as Rosalind crouched beside her.

Rosalind beamed. "Hit two hundred already! If this keeps up, I might make six hundred by closing."

Evelyn's smile faltered as she reached for Rosalind's calloused hands.

A customer interrupted, picking up a beaded bracelet. "How much?"

"Fifteen dollars," Rosalind answered smoothly, springing up. "The celestial pattern complements fair skin beautifully."

The woman tried it on, then set it down and walked away without another word.

Rosalind waved cheerfully before squatting again. "Bored yet?"

Evelyn shook her head. She wasn't bored - she was calculating how to help without offending Rosalind's pride.

"Rosalind," she began carefully, "you work six days a week at the hospital, then do this on your only day off. It's not sustainable."

Rosalind patted her hand. "I'm tougher than I look."

Evelyn stood abruptly. "Is there a stationery shop nearby?"

"About three blocks east." Rosalind tilted her head. "Why?"

"I'll be back," Evelyn said, already striding away with purpose in her steps. The solution had come to her in a flash of inspiration.