Her Precious Baby

Upon coming in, the man locked the window, thinking Angeline was too careless to leave it open.

Then, he made his way to the bed gingerly to pull the blanket over Floretta and close the book Angeline left open on

her waist.

For a long time, he stared at Angeline’s features until his cold gaze turned complicated.

To him, there were times when Angeline was like a prickly cat that, although detestable, had a certain charm that

never failed to captivate him.

Evander lowered his head, locking his gaze on her lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed subconsciously as a gush of heat

rushed through his body as he looked at her irresistibly fair and exquisite collarbones exposed under the blanket.

His eyes darkened, and he leaned down toward her but recalling how Angeline had slapped him in the car last time,

Evander subdued the burning urge within his body.

Evander felt his heart was a mess. His deep and quiet gaze showed that he had never experienced something like

that before, yet he knew deep down that he had fallen for her.

It was then that he realized that her attraction toward him was way stronger than his suspicion toward her.

It’s okay. There is still a long way to go. Thinking, he took another intent look at the sleeping woman, and his eyes

became gentle.

Then, he got up from the bed and left.

Over at the corridor, Jacob had just opened his door and was walking toward the living room with his tired eyes half-

opened.

He had gotten up to look for food, for he had barely had anything during dinner since he was busy keeping Floretta

entertained.

Yawning and stretching, he walked down the dimly-lit corridor, but as he looked up, he caught a glimpse of Evander

not far away.

Wait. Did he just come out of Angeline’s room? Is he here in Summerbank?

Jacob was instantly shaken awake. He blinked his eyes hard, but silence had resumed in the corridor, and Evander

was already nowhere to be seen.

“This is weird,” he mumbled, darting his confused gaze down the corridor. Am I seeing things because I’m not fully

awake?

Early the following day, Angeline brought Floretta downstairs for a buffet breakfast. She was feeling recharged and

energized after a good night of rest, but Jacob looked disturbed.

For the whole night, he had been thinking about the person he saw in the corridor and could no longer keep it to

himself when he finally asked, “Angie, did you close your window yesterday? Did you see anyone suspicious

around?”

“Huh? No.”

Angeline took up a toast and spread a thick layer of jam over it as she looked at Jacob, bewildered. “What’s with

you this morning?”

“It’s nothing. I’m still in the process of waking up.”

Telling himself to stop overthinking, Jacob ruffled his hair in frustration and got up to get breakfast.

A pensive look spread across Angeline’s face as soon as he left. She peeled some of her toast and munched away

with her thought distracted.

Actually, she had realized something was amiss when she woke up, for she clearly remembered she did not close

the window the night before.

On top of that, not only was the book on her body closed and returned to the bedside table but the page she was

reading was also folded into a triangle on the edge.

That’s not what I would usually do, but there’s no way a thief came in. The hostel is guarded.

“Attention! Dear parents and children, the film crew has just given all of you a new task.”

Suddenly, the program host went forward, clapping his hands as a few photographers appeared with him.

As he spoke, the facilitators at the set started handing out cards to everyone.

“You guys will have to figure out lunch on your own today. We have hidden some ingredients and cooking tools in

the nearby forest, so the three teams will need to look for those things on their own,” the host explained with a

smile.

“Wow! That’s so exciting!” Floretta cried out with her eyes filled with curiosity and clapped enthusiastically.

“But the forest is vast, so we will need an experienced guide to help us. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in

putting our hands together to welcome our special guest for today!”

Angeline, who had been disinterested thus far, suddenly raised her brows.

A special guest? I don’t remember the director mentioning a special guest.

Like Angeline, all the other guests were surprised as well. As they turned, a tall and attractive man appeared at the

entrance.

With a set of white casual apparel on his well-toned body, the man looked as if he had just finished his morning run.

His every move exuded masculine strength as tiny drops of sweat dripped down his neck.

As the morning sun bathed him, a halo formed around his body, and the crowd could not help but marvel at him.

“Gosh! This man is so handsome!” the guests exclaimed.

Among everyone, Angeline’s team was the only one who was shocked by what they saw. The spoon in Angeline’s

hand almost slipped back into her cup when she beheld that man, and her mind froze.

By contrast, the man of the moment looked calm and composed as he took his time to walk toward the host.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Evander Golding. I will be your guide today,” he announced in a deep and mellow voice.

Angeline held her forehead as she tried to process what was happening.

I knew it! The person I saw yesterday was him. I was right! What is he doing here? I thought he was on a business

trip. Why is he our guide all of a sudden?

Meanwhile, Jacob fumed in anger when he saw Evander. Having helped Angeline escape Evander’s control, he had

planned on winning her over, but Evander’s appearance had messed up his plan.

“This is unfair!” he seethed.

Yet, those from the other two teams were delighted to see Evander, whom they regarded as a blessing from

heaven.

“Hi, Mr. Golding,” they greeted politely, each standing up from their seats.

Jacob felt even angrier when he saw this. This bunch of spineless people. I will never give in.

At the thought of that, he slammed the table and proposed a challenge.

“This forest is huge. Our lives would be at risk if anything were to happen out there. Did you guys seriously arrange

an unlicensed guide for us? How are we supposed to trust him?”

The host smiled at Jacob and explained, “Don’t worry, Mr. Zane. We are not done introducing our guide yet. Mr.

Golding obtained a rock-climbing certification when he studied abroad.”

Jacob was stumped for words.

“Besides, he is one of the first climbers to conquer the twenty-six-foot Mount Olmi, who made it to the headlines.”

Impressed, the guests gazed at one another, and a roar of cheer ensued.

Angeline’s brows stitched in a subtle frown as she recalled the news she read.

Back then, it took the world by storm, not because it was Evander’s first attempt to climb that mountain but

because he was the youngest mountaineer.

His perseverance in the face of danger was what earned him the world’s respect.

“Do you have any more questions, Mr. Zane?” the host asked with a wide smile.

Jacob scoffed and swallowed his disgruntlement in silence as he took a big and hard bite of his toast.

This is so unfair! His achievement is overhyped simply because he is in a position of power. What is his motive for

coming here, by the way? It’s not like he needs to do this for money.