Chapter 153: Messenger

"Casey, please tell Rose that the business dinner with Mr. Miller has been moved up to six in the evening," Evan said, adjusting the wristwatch on his arm.

Casey, who was arranging cups on the dining table, turned around slowly. "Of course, Mr. Evan. Six in the evening at the Grand Luxe Restaurant, correct?"

"Yes, that's right. Please remind Rose not to be late. Mr. Miller values punctuality very highly, and this is a major deal for our company," Evan said firmly. He picked up his briefcase from the table.

"Right away, Sir. I will deliver the message to Ma'am as soon as she finishes her online meeting," Casey replied with a warm, polite smile.

Evan gave a brief nod, then walked out of the house toward his car.

Casey stood quietly near the window, watching Evan's car slowly disappear behind the main gate. The corners of her lips curled up slightly. A slow sense of satisfaction spread through her chest. This plan was far too easy.

An hour later, Rose came downstairs looking exhausted. She was holding several sheets of paper in her hand.

"Casey, has Evan left yet?" Rose asked as she walked toward the kitchen.

"Yes, Ma'am. Mr. Evan left about fifteen minutes ago," Casey answered quickly, her hands efficiently wiping down the kitchen counter.

Rose let out a long sigh. "Did he leave a message for me?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Mr. Evan said the dinner with Mr. Miller was moved up," Casey said. She looked Rose straight in the eye with a flawless, innocent expression.

Rose frowned. "Oh, really? So what time is the new schedule?"

"Mr. Evan said the dinner was moved up to eight in the evening, Ma'am," Casey said smoothly. Her voice sounded entirely confident.

Rose raised her eyebrows, looking noticeably relieved. "Eight in the evening? That means I still have plenty of time to rest for a bit and take a shower. I thought it was at seven."

"Yes, Ma'am. Mr. Evan told me to make sure you didn't feel rushed," Casey added, finishing her sentence with a subtle nod.

"Thank you, Casey. I'm glad you didn't forget to tell me," Rose said. She offered a faint smile and walked back toward her room upstairs.

Casey watched Rose's figure disappear up the staircase. She slowly clenched her fingers. Every piece of the puzzle was falling right into place.

The Grand Luxe Restaurant looked exceptionally luxurious under its warm lighting. The clock on the restaurant wall already showed six forty-five.

Evan sat at the corner of a round table with Mr. Miller and his wife. The atmosphere at the table grew increasingly tense and cold. Evan repeatedly checked his quiet phone screen, then looked toward the entrance of the restaurant.

Mr. Miller glanced at his wristwatch with an annoyed expression. "Evan, is your wife still not here?"

Evan tried to maintain a professional smile, even as anxiety and frustration burned in his chest. "I deeply apologize, Mr. Miller. Rose must be caught in terrible traffic on the way here. I will try calling her again."

"We've been waiting for nearly an hour, Evan. My time tonight is extremely limited," Mr. Miller said coldly. His wife simply crossed her arms without saying a word.

"I am truly sorry for this inconvenience," Evan whispered. His fingers quickly typed a text message to Rose with heavy emphasis.

Meanwhile at the house, Rose had just finished adjusting her black dress in front of the mirror. It was seven fifteen. She picked up her handbag and walked down toward the ground floor.

When she turned on her phone, which had been set to silent, a dozen missed calls and text messages from Evan suddenly flooded the screen.

Rose, where are you?! Mr. Miller has been waiting since six! It's almost seven!

Rose's eyes widened in shock. Her hands immediately began to tremble. "What?! Six o'clock?"

Breathing heavily, Rose rushed out of the house. She called out to the driver in a panic. "Driver! Take me to the Grand Luxe Restaurant right now! Hurry!"

At ten minutes to eight, Rose hurried into the dining room of the Grand Luxe Restaurant. Her face was pale and she was gasping for air.

She approached the table where Evan was sitting. However, the chairs for Mr. Miller and his wife were completely empty. Only Evan sat there alone, staring at his cold cup of coffee.

"Evan..." Rose called out softly, her voice shaking.

Evan looked up. His gaze was icy and sharp, sending an instant chill down Rose's spine.

"Evan, I'm so sorry. I..."

"Mr. Miller left fifteen minutes ago, Rose," Evan interrupted in a low tone that barely contained an immense rage. "They canceled the deal."

"Evan, I truly had no idea! Casey told me you left a message saying the dinner was moved up to eight!" Rose pleaded, trying to defend herself. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

Evan stood up from his chair. He looked at Rose with deep disappointment. "Casey? Don't shift the blame onto the nanny, Rose. I told her six in the evening myself. How could she possibly mess up communicating something this crucial?"

"But I'm not lying, Evan! Casey really said eight o'clock!" Rose sobbed quietly. A few restaurant guests began to turn and look at them.

"Enough, Rose. Don't make a scene here," Evan said coldly. He grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair and walked right past Rose without another word.

By the time they arrived home, the atmosphere inside the large residence felt suffocating. Evan walked inside with wide strides, followed by Rose, who kept wiping away her tears.

Casey, who was in the living room, immediately stood up from her spot when she saw them enter. Her face showed deep concern.

"Mr. Evan, Mrs. Rose... what happened?" Casey asked softly.

Evan stopped in his tracks and looked at Casey. "Casey, what time did I tell you to convey the dinner schedule to Rose earlier?"

Casey looked at Evan, then turned to look at Rose, who looked completely distressed. The next second, Casey's eyes welled up with tears. Her face turned deathly pale as if she were terrified out of her mind.

"I... I am so sorry, Mr. Evan!" Casey squeaked in a violently shaking voice. She bowed her head deeply. "I am so sorry! I... I panicked while taking care of Emily when she was crying earlier, so I accidentally misstated the time to Mrs. Rose."

Rose stared at her in disbelief. "Casey! You spoke so clearly earlier and said it was eight o'clock!"

"I am so sorry, Ma'am! It was entirely my mistake. Please don't dock my pay, I truly forgot..." Casey interrupted, sobbing softly. Her acting was so flawless that her shoulders shook.

Evan let out a long, heavy sigh. He rubbed his throbbing temples. "You see for yourself, Rose? It was an honest mistake because she was focused on taking care of our child. But you didn't bother to double-check my message or ask me directly."

"Evan! Why are you taking her side?!" Rose yelled, unable to hold it in any longer.

"I am not taking anyone's side! I'm just exhausted by the constant mess you've been making lately!" Evan snapped loudly.

An instant silence fell over the room. Rose froze in place, looking at her husband with a broken heart.

Casey lowered her head even further to hide the victorious smile spreading across her lips. She broke the silence with a trembling voice.

"Mr. Evan, should I pack my things and leave tonight?"