Jacques looked up. “Who?”

    “Neely Vinterberg.”

    Before Jacques could react, Secretary Holden’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean the former bank president who vanished from the public eye after resigning?”

    Evander nodded.

    “I remember now. He really did disappear for years. I heard he moved abroad. But what made you think of him all of a sudden?” Jacques set his chess piece down, curiosity in his tone.

    “He has a son?”

    “So I’ve heard, but I never met him.” Jacques fiddled with the chessboard. “Neely was always a smooth operator, got along well with everyone. But then, out of nowhere, he quit and cut off all contact with people at home. It was baffling.”

    A shadow passed over Evander’s face.

    Jacques studied him. “Honestly, if you hadn’t brought him up, I’d have forgotten all about him. Did someone ask you about him?”

    “It’s nothing.”

    No sooner had he finished speaking than Charlotte returned from outside. She stepped into the living room, paused briefly, her gaze drifting over Evander before she nodded politely at Jacques. “Dad.”

    Evander lowered his eyesb, /bsaying nothing.

    i“/iYou’re back,” Jacques said, not bothering with the chess game anymore. He looked up and instructed Secretary Holden, “Could you check with the front desk and see if the restaurant has any tables left? Book one if you

    can.”

    Secretary Holden nodded and headed out.

    Charlotte was about to go to her room when Jacques called after her. “Evander and I are having dinner at the restaurant tonight. Join us.”

    With her father–inw extending the invitation, she couldn’t really refuse. She nodded and slipped away to her room.

    Evander watched her go, sinking deeper into silence.

    That evening, Charlotte dined with the Howard men at the restaurant. As luck would have it, they ran into Winston Rivers and Mrs. Rivers in the hallway.

    “Mr. Howard, you’re actually in Riverspire and didn’t announce your arrival? That’s unusual,” Winston said with a polite smile.

    Jacques returned the courtesy. “Deputy Commissioner Rivers, you’re a busy man–I wouldn’t dare disturb you.”

    “You give me too much credit.” Winston waved his hand dismissively. “I’m just two years from retirement; I finally have some free time. There’s no need to worry about disturbing me.”

    He turned to Evander. “Mr. Howard, are you well?”

    Evander narrowed his eyes. “I’m perfectly fine.”

    “Funny, I heard you were seriously ill and recovering abroad.”

    Before Evander could reply, Jacques interjected calmly, “It was just an ident. He did need some time to recover, but he’s well now.”

    “Ah, that exins it,” Winston said, nodding in understanding.

    While the men talked, Mrs. Rivers approached Charlotte with a warm. smile. Charlotte spoke first, “I’m so sorry I missed your birthday party.”

    “Oh, there’s nothing to apologize for. There’s always next year.” Mrs. Rivers took Charlotte’s hand, studying her carefully. “I’ve heard all about what happened with the Rayburn family. I even mentioned it to my husband at the time–I never imagined you were Laurinda’s daughter.”

    12:59

    Charlotte froze for a moment, recalling what Winston had once said

    about her resembling Mrs. Rayburn more than Loretta ever did. So there really was some history behind those words?

    Hearing Mrs. Rivers refer to her mother so intimately, Charlotte looked at her. “Were you and my mother close?”

    “I’ve known your mother for years. To use your generation’s words, I suppose we’d be called best friends.” Mrs. Rivers sighed softly. “But once her mind started slipping, and with our own families to care for, we rarely kept in touch. I wish I could see her again, but she probably wouldn’t

    remember me now.”

    Charlotte pressed her lips together, then gave a gentle smile. “If you have the time, you should visit her. Even if she doesn’t remember, she’d still be happy.”

    Mrs. Rivers paused, as ifforted by the thought, then nodded with a grateful smile.

    Jacques invited Mr. and Mrs. Rivers to join them for dinner, but the couple politely declined, saying they already had ns.

    Just then, a familiar voice called from behind, “Well, what are all of you doing here?”

    Jacques stilled, turning slowly to see Daphne Carstairs approaching.

    When Daphne spotted Jacques, she hesitated for a heartbeat, but recovered quickly, smiling graciously as she greeted him. “It’s been a long time.”

    Jacques seemed taken aback for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, it has.”

    Charlotte watched the two of them, and suddenly remembered–the woman in front of her was her father–inw’s first love, wasn’t she? The so–called “one who got away” really did have an aura about her…

    She nced at Evander.

    He sensed her gaze, but didn’t turn. Instead, he strode directly into the

    restaurant.

    12:59

    Charlotte let out a softugh. Still sulking about this morning, is he?

    But does he really have any right to be upset?