NovelBookChapter 391
Chapter 391
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. | 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 | 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 eyes, saying nothing.
“You're back,” Jacques said, not bothering with the chess ganymore. 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 | are having dinner at the
restaurant tonight. Join us.”
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With her father-in-law 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 givetoo much credit.” Winston waved his hand dismissively. “I'm just two years from retirement; |
finally have sfree 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, | heard you were seriously ill and recovering abroad.”
Before Evander could reply, Jacques interjected calmly, “It was just an accident. He did need stto
recover, but he’s well now.”
“Ah, that explains 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 |
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. | even mentioned it to my husband at the
time-I never imagined you were Laurinda’s daughter.”
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Chapter 391
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 shistory 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, | 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. | wish | could see her again, but she probably wouldn't
remembernow.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together,
then gave a gentle smile. IL ygpirave
the tyoy shedidist her. Even if
she ‘doesn't remember, she'd still be
happy.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Mrs. Rivers paused, as if comforted 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 plans.
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, m
CEES apigkty) Silly graciously
ak che greeted him. “It's been a long
time.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
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 @as Ger m
father—N-RW's frst love, wasn't
she? The so-called “one who got
away" really did have an aura about
her... The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
She glanced at Evander.
He sensed her gaze, but didn’t turn. Instead, he strode directly into the
restaurant.
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Chapter 391
Charlotte let out a soft laugh. Still sulking about this morning, is he?
But does he really have any right to be upset?
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