Chapter 193

The airport's fluorescent lights glared down as Evelyn Carter adjusted her sunglasses. She hadn't anticipated running into Victoria Sinclair and Penelope Whitmore here. Their empty hands suggested they weren't travelers.

"Stalking us now?" Penelope's shrill voice cut through the terminal noise. Her designer purse swung aggressively as she stepped closer.

Evelyn's lips curled into a cold smile. "The universe must be punishing me today."

The three women moved toward the arrivals area, their heels clicking in unison on the polished floors.

Victoria's gaze flickered with curiosity. "Meeting someone?"

Penelope snorted before Evelyn could answer. "Probably some broke college friend. First-class tickets are way beyond her budget."

Evelyn's fingers twitched. "Your elitism is showing, Penelope. Did your diploma come with extra entitlement?"

"You dropped out!" Penelope's face flushed crimson. "At least I graduated from an Ivy League school!"

"Ah yes," Evelyn tilted her head, "that online certificate must look lovely framed in your bathroom."

The buzzing socialite was like a persistent wasp - one Evelyn longed to swat away permanently.

Victoria observed the exchange with detached amusement. A thought whispered through her mind: Penelope's wealth couldn't mask her staggering ignorance.

"I'm meeting my brother," Victoria offered, attempting civility.

"Same," Evelyn replied smoothly.

Victoria's perfectly shaped eyebrows arched. Since when did Evelyn have family beyond those wretched adoptive relatives?

Penelope's laugh grated like nails on chalkboard. "Brother? More like some random guy she's sleeping with!"

Evelyn didn't dignify that with a response. She simply walked twenty paces away - the minimum safe distance from toxic personalities.

Her phone vibrated. Alexander Montgomery's voice came through warm and familiar. "Just landed, little sister. You shouldn't have come all this way."

"Nonsense," Evelyn smiled into the receiver. "Aunt Margaret's making her famous pot roast. The house smells incredible already."

"Give us fifteen minutes," Alexander said before hanging up.

He turned to his wife Olivia. "Let's take the main exit. If Evelyn sees us using VIP services, she'll start asking questions."

Olivia adjusted her diamond earrings. "A little walk never hurt anyone." Her designer suitcase rolled silently across the marble as they joined the pedestrian flow.

Evelyn checked the arrivals board again. The plane had definitely landed. She leaned against a pillar, watching Victoria and Penelope preen near the baggage claim like exotic birds in a concrete jungle.

The security light above her flickered once. Somewhere in the distance, a child cried. Evelyn exhaled slowly, counting the seconds until her real family would appear.