Chapter 117
Evelyn acted as if she hadn't noticed the pause, nodding and continuing, "It's Mr. Perkins from Limbo Inc., isn't it? I've seen news about you two online."
"You make a handsome couple. Very well-matched."
"Thank you for the compliment." Sloane didn't deny it, accepting it directly.
They arrived at Dairy Haven Group's reception desk.
Xander and a group of shareholders were waiting. Seeing them enter together, they paused for a moment.
Xander instinctively looked at his assistant.
The assistant was sweating profusely. He remembered scheduling Sloane for the afternoon and had no idea why she'd come in the morning.
"Mr. Evans, I happened to be meeting a client nearby. When I finished, I thought I'd drop by. I didn't expect to run into Adam. What a coincidence." Sloane didn't mince words, explaining openly.
"I see." Xander nodded.
Evelyn got straight to the point. "If it's convenient, let's go ahead with the tour. I have another appointment this afternoon."
"No problem!" Xander led the group into the factory production area.
Throughout, Sloane inserted herself into conversations, talking enthusiastically about everything from industry trends to company vision.
Evelyn spoke little, but when she did, she was incisive, identifying key issues in just a few words.
At first, Sloane felt everyone's attention was on her and was quite pleased with herself.
But gradually, she noticed more and more shareholders actively engaging with Evelyn.
Xander couldn't help asking Evelyn several questions himself.
From technical details to supply chain management, Evelyn answered calmly and precisely, hitting the mark every time.
Sloane smiled on the surface but ground her teeth.
At noon, Xander wanted to take them to lunch.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Evans. I have an afternoon appointment, so I need to head back. Next time, lunch is on me." Evelyn politely declined.
Xander nodded, somewhat regretfully watching her leave.
Actually, he'd wanted to invite Adam to lunch and ask her more questions.
Adam was clearly more professional than Sloane, with deeper insights. She'd even thoroughly researched Dairy Haven Group's factory processes in advance.
Sloane paled in comparison.
But Sloane represented Limbo Inc., one of the top companies in Novaria, headquartered right in City A.
Compared to the Gray Group, Xander was more interested in connecting with Matthew.
"Adam, I heard Sloane's appointment was originally for this afternoon... She's so proactive. Should we do something more too?" In the car, Evelyn's assistant asked with some concern.
"No need. Just be professionally prepared." Evelyn leaned back in her seat. "By the way, this afternoon I'm attending a party for Mrs. Gray's friend. You'll lead the proposal meeting."
"Understood."
When Evelyn got home, Monica and the kids weren't back yet.
She picked out a champagne-colored gown and waited for the makeup artist to arrive.
Susan had encountered extreme weather at the airport and couldn't take off, so Evelyn had to attend this party in her place.
It was Susan's idea anyway—to have Evelyn interact more with the power players of that generation.
Susan wanted to retire early and spend more time with the kids. Evelyn understood.
She didn't enjoy these occasions, but she'd agreed.
At the hospital.
Amara played with the children for a while, took her medicine, and then napped.
Monica took Chloe and Caleb for a walk in the garden.
Nurses in green uniforms occasionally passed by, pushing elderly patients in the sun.
"Auntie Monica, why are their nurse uniforms different from the others?" Chloe looked up and asked.
"Chloe, those are the uniforms for hospice nurses."
"What's hospice?"
"When someone is dying from illness, they provide care to make their passing less painful."
Evelyn had given the children some death education, so Monica spoke directly.
Chloe nodded thoughtfully.
"You can play, but don't leave Pearl's and my sight." Monica crouched down. "Caleb, take care of your sister."
She and Pearl sat on a bench, smiling as they watched the two children run off to play.
Chloe squatted on the ground watching ants carry food, unconsciously following them for a short distance.
Caleb helplessly followed.
Chloe was watching intently when she suddenly heard voices nearby.
"This lady's condition... it looks like it might be a matter of a month or two."
"Yes, she's already becoming confused. We call it hospice, but there's really not much we can do."
Chloe looked toward the voices.
An old woman sat in a wheelchair, very thin, with sparse, graying hair. Her entire being emanated an aura of life fading away.
An inexplicable sadness welled up in Chloe's heart. She instinctively walked over.
The old woman's closed eyes slowly opened.
Seeing two rosy-cheeked children before her, the corners of her mouth curved slightly.
She noticed Chloe's gaze and shakily raised her hand, trying to pass over a picture book resting on her lap.
But she was too weak. She couldn't even lift the book.
Her dry lips moved, her voice almost inaudible. "Come... come take it... for... for you."
"Thank you, but we don't need it," Caleb spoke first, pulling Chloe to leave.
Chloe broke free from his hand and scrambled over to the old woman's side. "You read picture books, too? Mommy's told me lots of picture book stories. I'll tell you some."
By the time Monica noticed Chloe leaning against an old woman's legs, she'd already told two stories.
Monica walked closer and took a good look—the old woman was actually Marsha.
She was scared out of her wits.
She quickly scooped up Chloe and grabbed Caleb. "I'm sorry for the disturbance. We'll be going now."
Chloe looked reluctant, raising her little hand to wave at Marsha.
Marsha watched them leave, suddenly growing agitated. She raised her hand, murmuring, "Eve... Eve... don't go..."
The caregiver quickly took her hand, gently soothing her. "Mrs. Perkins, Miss Arden is still on a business trip overseas. When you're feeling better, she'll come back. Don't worry."
Monica gave Marsha a complicated look.
She hadn't expected Chloe's connection to the Perkins family to run so deep.
Chloe had first met her father, then her grandmother.
Marsha was probably the only person in the Perkins family who'd truly cared for Evelyn. After all these years, she still thought of her constantly.
Monica sighed and took the two children home.
When they arrived, Evelyn was already dressed.
"Mommy, you look like a fairy!" Chloe's eyes lit up as she rushed to her.
Evelyn smiled and asked what they'd done today.
Chloe spilled everything like pouring beans from a jar, telling her about meeting Amara and the old woman in the garden.
Pearl took the two children to wash their hands.
Monica sighed and quietly told Evelyn—that old woman in the garden was Marsha.
After hearing this, Evelyn fell into a long silence.