Chapter 131
Chapter 131
Evelyn's shoulders tensed.
The movement was so slight that only Cedric, standing directly behind her, noticed.
His hand slipped from his pocket, fingertips brushing lightly against the small of her back. A silent comfort.
Evelyn turned to face Sebastian.
Three years of marriage had taught her his patterns too well.
He never dangled bait without reason—unless he truly had something.
"Speak."
"Felix told me that Upton wasn't the only one responsible for your mother's medication." Sebastian's voice was low, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. "There was someone else. That person worked at a medical clinic affiliated with the Ashford family, specifically handling the formulation of those 'supplements.'"
Evelyn's nails dug into her palm. The sharp sting reminded her she was still standing in reality.
"That person is still alive. In this city."
After finishing, Sebastian reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He placed it on the conference table.
"Felix gave me this. A name, an address. He wanted to trade it for my cooperation."
Sebastian's fingers left the paper. He stepped back half a pace. "I didn't agree. But I thought you should know."
Evelyn reached out and took the paper. Folded it. Slipped it into her trench coat pocket.
"Anything else?"
Sebastian shook his head.
His gaze fell on Evelyn's hand, the one still showing faint traces of gauze. His pupils contracted slightly. His lips parted as if to ask something, but no words came.
"Then we're done here."
Evelyn turned and walked out of the conference room. Cedric followed.
As he passed Sebastian, Cedric didn't slow his pace or shift his gaze.
But in the instant the two men brushed shoulders, the air seemed to drop a few degrees.
The door closed behind them.
Only their footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Evelyn's flats and Cedric's dress shoes alternated against the marble floor—different rhythms, yet somehow in sync.
After a dozen steps, Cedric spoke. "Is the information he gave you real or fake?"
Evelyn slipped her hand into her pocket. "Not sure. But Felix wouldn't use false intel to secure Sebastian's cooperation."
Cedric hummed in acknowledgment. He moved to her side, walking shoulder to shoulder with her.
After a few more steps, his hand emerged from his pocket. His fingers slid naturally between hers.
Feeling the warmth of his palm, Evelyn's steps faltered slightly.
A few employees were still moving through the hallway.
"Cedric, we're in the office."
There was a trace of helplessness in Evelyn's voice.
Cedric glanced at her but didn't let go.
Evelyn's fingers curled slightly in his palm.
Her fingertips pressed against the lines of his hand, feeling the rough texture of his skin.
They walked the entire length of the hallway like that, fingers interlaced, until they reached the door to Evelyn's office.
Only then did Cedric release her hand.
"The address on that paper—I'll have someone scope it out this afternoon."
Evelyn nodded. She entered her office and closed the door. Then she pulled the paper from her pocket and unfolded it: [Ray, South District, 47 Maplewood Ave, Harmony Clinic.]
Evelyn stared at the words "Harmony Clinic," her fingers gripping the edge of the paper. Her nails pressed into the surface, leaving two crescent-shaped indentations.
The community health initiative that had delivered the "supplements" to her mother years ago had been organized by "Harmony Health." Was there a connection to this Harmony Clinic?
Evelyn refolded the paper and tucked it into the innermost compartment of her bag.
Then she walked to her desk, sat down, and opened her computer.
She pulled up Lisa's email and got to work.
---
Cedric's people sent back a report that afternoon.
The Harmony Clinic at 47 Maplewood Ave was a small private practice specializing in physical therapy and chronic disease management.
It had been registered the same year Evelyn's mother died.