Chapter 2

Just two hours after leaving the banquet hall and returning to the lab, Evelyn received a call from Luke.

The machinery was running so loudly that by the time Evelyn noticed her phone vibrating, she had already missed three calls from Luke.

He never contacted her so urgently. Evelyn quickly answered: "Sorry, I didn't just now..."

"Evelyn." On the other end, Luke's voice was tinged with displeasure. "Andy's having an allergic reaction. Come to the hospital."

Evelyn's hand tightened around her phone.

Every time Andy had an allergic reaction, it was severe—rapid breathing, his little face flushed bright red. Once, his tongue had even swollen so much it protruded from his mouth.

"How is he now?" She headed for the door without thinking.

"Maggie's with him. The situation has stabilized, but you're his mother. It would be better if you came to look after him."

Evelyn's steps came to an abrupt halt.

Maggie had confidently said nothing would go wrong and fed Andy that so-called organic cake, yet still ended up putting the child in the hospital.

"Good that he's stable." Her voice was somewhat numb, unsure what emotion to show. "Since Maggie needs to experience family bonds, let her continue looking after him. Andy likes her anyway."

"Evelyn!" Luke was clearly getting angry. "Is this really the time for you to throw a tantrum?"

His angry breathing came through the phone. She could imagine the expression on his face.

Angry, but controlled, and impatient.

She wanted to explain, but he wouldn't understand her, and she didn't want to comply with him either.

Just then, inside the glass door, the error light on the lab equipment lit up.

This was the last sample. If it failed, they'd have to start the fifteen-day cultivation process all over again. Evelyn panicked and said to Luke on the phone: "I've got something to deal with. Hanging up now."

After ending the call, she switched her phone to silent mode. It wasn't until the next morning, when the experiment successfully concluded, that she had time to check her unread messages.

Luke had called her one more time. She hadn't answered, and he hadn't sent any more messages.

But her lab partner, David Jones, had sent her many messages, anxiously saying there was a big problem.

Evelyn called him back: "What happened?"

"Our investor says they're pulling out." David sounded devastated. "They told me last night and wanted to talk to you, but you didn't respond. This morning, they made the final decision to withdraw their investment."

David couldn't understand: "Why only give us one night? And we had such a good agreement initially—why suddenly pull out?"

Evelyn was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh: "Don't worry about this. I'll handle it."

Ever since she was drugged years ago and unexpectedly became pregnant with Luke's child, she had given up work to be a full-time housewife for five years.

This year, with Andy about to start elementary school, she had planned to pick up her career again. Two months ago, she had discussed this with Luke, and he had agreed, even investing in her venture.

But now, because she wouldn't listen to him and even dared to hang up on him for work, he was pulling his investment.

Giving her one night was meant for her to reflect and go look after Andy.

He always had ways to control her.

After ordering breakfast, Evelyn scrolled through her contact list, her thumb hovering over a profile she hadn't contacted in a long time.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she made the call.

It was still early, just after seven—not his usual waking time. Plus, they hadn't spoken in over a year, and their last meeting had ended badly. He might just hang up on her, or curse her out.

Unexpectedly, the call was answered after just ten seconds. On the other end, the man's voice was sleepy: "Did Evelyn die?"

"Joseph, I'm not dead," Evelyn said sheepishly. "I'm still alive. I missed you."

"What's wrong?" On the other end, Joseph Thomas immediately perked up and said sarcastically, "What favor do you want from me this time? Did your husband bully you again? Did you think to contact me first this time because you're afraid of sending Mom and Dad to the hospital again?"

Evelyn's lips moved, and she said quietly: "I'm sorry."

Back then, she was the one who liked Luke, so she married him despite her family's objections, which led to the falling out.

Later, sure enough, their marriage wasn't going well. The few times she contacted her family were all because of fights with Luke, but each time ended with her taking Luke's side.

Her parents and brother were at their wits' end with her.

"I can't accept your apology." Joseph snorted, but his anger had clearly diminished considerably. "Just tell me, what do you want me to do?"

"My lab needs an investment, around eighty million to one hundred million dollars."

When Joseph asked like this, it meant he'd calmed down, so Evelyn immediately started acting cute: "Joseph, can you help me?"

"You're working now?" Joseph sounded quite surprised. "What kind of lab? Researching how to cook dishes your husband and kid will love?"

Evelyn was left speechless by the sarcasm. "It's the neural network cultivation I've been working on before. A real career."

"You're finally working." Joseph sounded more satisfied. "One hundred million dollars, right? Got it. Any other requirements, Ms. Thomas?"

Hearing the familiar teasing, Evelyn smiled: "Also, could you subtly ask Mom and Dad when would be a good time for me to come home? Will they forgive me?"

Joseph didn't speak for a moment.

Evelyn thought he was unwilling, but before she could say anything, she heard a child's excited voice on the other end: "Aunt Evelyn, you're coming home? I'll go tell Grandpa and Grandma right now!"

"Oh, Aunt Evelyn, is Andy coming back too? If he breaks my toy car again, can I hit him?"

Evelyn laughed, remembering Andy's arrogant behavior during his rare visits to the Thomas Manor, and how Luke wouldn't let her discipline him...

Perhaps Maggie was better suited to be his mother after all.

"Go play!" Joseph shooed his son away and asked Evelyn, "Are you planning to divorce Luke this time?"

The last time they parted on bad terms, the Thomas family members issued an ultimatum: Evelyn shouldn't come back unless she divorced Luke.

"Yes, I already told him." Evelyn closed her eyes. "But..."

Luke didn't seem to take it seriously.

And his grandfather, Robert Miller, wouldn't easily agree either.

Joseph heard her difficulty: "As long as you've made up your mind, I'll help you. I happen to have a few projects you can handle. Come to Starlight City for a business trip for a few days and get some distance from Luke."

"Also, let me arrange some blind dates for you—all young, well-mannered, wealthy men who will treat you well."

Evelyn cleared her throat: "Joseph, I haven't filed for divorce yet! Isn't this too soon?"