Chapter 48

The crisp evening air carried the scent of blooming jasmine as Evelyn stepped into the elegant restaurant. She had been lost in thought when Diana’s voice pulled her back to reality.

“We happened to meet in the parking lot,” Diana explained smoothly, her tone light. “Evelyn was dining alone, so I invited her to join us.”

Lila offered a practiced smile, though her eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Of course. Evelyn, please, sit with us.”

The dinner progressed with Victor and Diana attending to Lila’s every request—refilling her wine, adjusting her napkin, praising her latest achievements. Evelyn, meanwhile, ate in silence, her fingers tightening slightly around her fork.

Then, without warning, a glistening piece of seared scallop landed on her plate.

Evelyn blinked, startled.

Victor leaned back, his expression indifferent. “Try it. The chef’s specialty.”

She stared at the scallop, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Diana’s fork darted forward, swiftly reclaiming the seafood and depositing it back onto Victor’s plate.

Victor froze, his brows lifting in surprise.

Evelyn’s gaze flicked to Diana, intrigued.

Diana set her fork down with deliberate calm, her voice low but firm. “Evelyn is allergic to shellfish. How could you forget something like that?”

The words hung in the air, sharp and undeniable. Victor’s face darkened, while Evelyn’s pulse quickened. She hadn’t expected Diana to remember. Her own father hadn’t.

Lila’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she laughed, the sound light but edged with something cold. “How strange. You’re both allergic to seafood—almost like you’re the real mother and daughter.”

Diana shot her a warning look. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Victor chuckled, though his eyes remained guarded. “Should we assume everyone with a shellfish allergy is related?”

Lila giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Just a joke!”

For a brief moment, something flickered in Victor’s gaze—something dark and unreadable—before it vanished.

Ignoring them, Diana reached for the platter of roasted lamb and placed a tender slice on Evelyn’s plate. Their eyes met, and Evelyn felt an unexpected warmth.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Diana simply nodded and returned to her meal.

Then Victor turned to Evelyn, his tone shifting, colder. “Lila mentioned you declined her offer to join her at Grandview General. Why?”

His expression hardened. “Do you think you’re above it? Have you considered your qualifications compared to hers? Lila graduated top of her class. You barely scraped by.”

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her napkin.