Chapter 104: Thanksgiving Shock
Damian’s phone shrieked, shattering the tense silence in the bedroom. He answered, and a shareholder’s furious roar immediately came through. “Damian! What the hell are you doing? The stock is still dropping! The board is waiting for an explanation!”
The old guard on the board was losing patience. If Damian couldn't provide a reasonable explanation before the market closed, his CEO position would be on thin ice.
“I’ll be back tonight for dinner with you.” Damian said to Evelyn’s back before leaving, his tone a patronizing concession, as if his time was a great honor bestowed upon her.
Evelyn didn't turn around. The charcoal pencil scratched softly on the paper.
The mansion fell silent again once the sound of his engine disappeared into the rainy street.
It was late evening when Evelyn finally put down her pencil and rubbed her aching wrist. She picked up her phone, intending to research menswear fabrics, but her finger instinctively tapped Sienna’s Instagram account, which she didn't follow.
The latest post was from ten minutes ago. The photo showed a slender hand, the pink diamond ring that was supposed to be Evelyn’s on the ring finger, clinking a wine glass with someone opposite. The other person’s face wasn't visible, but Evelyn was all too familiar with the hand wearing a Patek Philippe watch and the cuff of the dark grey custom suit.
It was Damian.
The caption was pure gloating: [Even with the department change, I’m always the best in my love’s eyes. Thank you, darling, for celebrating my promotion. You always put me first, no matter how busy you are. #CandlelightDinner #OnlyLove]
This was Damian’s so-called “emergency meeting” at the company. This was his promise to “come home for dinner.”
Evelyn looked at the picture. She expected to feel heartache or fury. But there was nothing. The place in her heart that should have been overgrown with grief was now just a vast, calm wasteland. She almost found it amusing. Damian was playing the devoted boyfriend there while rushing back to play the repentant husband here. Wasn't he exhausted?
“Liar.” Evelyn closed the app and swiped the screen away.
She truly didn't care anymore. She only cared about the baby in her belly and the unfinished design sketches. She crossed another day off the calendar. She had one month and eighteen days until her bump showed. She had to hurry.
The next day, the sky was clear, and the air was crisp with late autumn cold. A text from Sophie startled Evelyn.
[Happy Thanksgiving! I’m on my way to St. Jude’s Orphanage with a huge turkey. Want to come?]
Evelyn paused. Thanksgiving. Every year on this day, she used to spend two days tirelessly cooking turkey and pumpkin pie, preparing the elaborate meals Damian’s parents favored, even though they only ever criticized her cooking and her background. This year, she wasn’t going to serve that family anymore.
“I’m on my way.”
Evelyn replied, changed into a loose, beige sweater to hide her barely showing abdomen, and drove to the place that felt like her true home.
She parked the car on the old oak-lined street near the orphanage gate. From a distance, she saw Director Worth, wearing her faded gray coat, looking out. The old woman's back was slightly stooped, her white hair messy in the wind, but her smile was warm as a winter sun.
“Grandma Director!”
Evelyn stepped out, but before she could wave, her pupils constricted. An out-of-control silver sedan, possibly swerving to avoid a stray cat or suffering brake failure, veered violently toward Director Worth on the sidewalk!
“No—!”
Evelyn screamed, rushing forward, but she was too far away to reach the old woman in time.
In that critical moment, a dark figure sprang from the nearby shadows like a panther. The person's speed was astonishing. Just as the car's bumper was about to strike the Director, the figure fiercely grabbed the old woman’s waist and used the momentum to roll them both onto the sidewalk.
CRASH! The sedan grazed their clothes and slammed into the iron railing, its bumper tearing off as white smoke billowed out.
“Director!”
Evelyn ran toward them hysterically, her legs weak. She nearly collapsed.
On the grass, the dark figure moved first. The man stood up, brushed dust off his expensive coat, and then gently helped the startled Director Worth to her feet.
“Are you alright?” His voice was low, magnetic, and carried a subtle concern.
Evelyn rushed up and embraced the still-trembling Director, tears instantly flooding her eyes. “Grandma, you scared me to death… Are you hurt?”
Director Worth patted her chest, catching her breath. “No… I’m fine… Thanks to this young man…”
Evelyn finally turned to her savior. The man stood against the light, tall and commanding, with a pair of sunglasses hiding most of his sharply defined face. But Evelyn knew him instantly. He took off his sunglasses. It was Ryan Lawrence.
“Mr. Lawrence?” Evelyn stammered, her voice still thick with tears. “What are you doing here?”
Ryan noticed her red eyes, frowned slightly, and then reverted to his usual playful demeanor. “Passing by.” He shrugged, glancing at the smoking car. “Guess I got lucky today and played the hero.”
“Thank you… really, thank you so much.” Evelyn was incoherent. She couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Ryan had been a second late. This woman was her only family left in the world.
Director Worth recovered and took Ryan’s hand. “Young man, thank you so much. If it weren't for you today, this old body would have been done for. It’s Thanksgiving. If you don’t mind, please stay and have dinner with us.”
Evelyn hesitated. This was a humble orphanage. How could a wealthy tycoon like Ryan Lawrence be willing to eat here?
“No need, Director. Mr. Lawrence probably has…”
“My pleasure,” Ryan interrupted Evelyn. He looked at her. “I don’t have anywhere else to celebrate either.”