Chapter 349

Adrian Prescott gave Noelle Winslow a once-over before smirking. "You? Seriously? Could've fooled me."

Noelle huffed and stomped her designer heel in frustration, but Adrian merely shrugged and blew a raspberry at her.

That did it. "You fossilized thirty-something!" she snapped.

Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? Thirty-something? Take that back right now."

Victorious, Noelle stuck out her tongue and grabbed Evelyn Carter's arm, dragging her inside the venue.

Grumbling, Adrian hurried after them. "Sweetheart, open those pretty eyes wide. Do I look a day over twenty-nine to you?"

Their bickering continued like an endless tennis match, neither willing to concede defeat.

Watching them, Evelyn bit back a laugh. There was something oddly endearing about their dynamic - like two kittens batting at each other.

Her musings were interrupted by Beatrice Whitmore's melodic voice. "Evelyn darling!"

Evelyn spun around, surprised. "Aunt Beatrice? What are you doing here?"

Arthur Whitmore, appearing beside his wife, explained smoothly. "Beatrice and Anthony have been close friends for decades."

"Exactly," Beatrice nodded. "Anthony told us how you helped bring Noelle home safely. Who knows what trouble this wild child might've gotten into without you?"

Arthur added warmly, "Our daughter's stubborn as a mule, but she clearly trusts you. We'd be grateful if you'd keep an eye on her."

"Of course, Mr. Winslow," Evelyn promised.

After exchanging pleasantries, Beatrice discreetly pulled Evelyn aside. "Now darling, how are things with Harrison? Why aren't you two together tonight?"

Evelyn's cheeks warmed. "I had to return to Frenda unexpectedly. Didn't get a chance to tell him."

Beatrice's perfectly manicured fingers tapped impatiently against her champagne flute. These two had been circling each other for months without any progress!

While she already considered Evelyn family, romance required mutual feelings. What if someone snatched this perfect daughter-in-law away?

Absolutely unacceptable. Time for intervention.

"Evelyn dear," Beatrice changed tactics smoothly, "I need a rather big favor."

"What is it, Aunt Beatrice?"

"Well..." Beatrice feigned hesitation. "Arthur and I are planning an extended trip abroad, but Harrison's birthday is coming up."

"We simply can't be there to celebrate. Would you be an angel and keep him company?"

"Harrison's birthday?" Evelyn mentally calculated the dates - June 18th. Today was the 15th.

Beatrice clasped her hands pleadingly. "Please say yes, darling."

After a brief hesitation, Evelyn nodded. "Alright, Aunt Beatrice."

Beatrice's smile could've powered a small city. This birthday would be her masterpiece - the perfect setup for romance.

Meanwhile, Evelyn's mind raced with gift ideas. What do you get the billionaire who has everything?

The moment the gala ended, Evelyn rushed home. Her staff packed efficiently, and by midnight, she was aboard a private jet back to Pamore.

At 2:17 AM, her friends' group chat exploded with messages.

Evelyn Carter: "Emergency brainstorming session! Need birthday gift ideas STAT! Something unforgettable for a man who owns half the city."