Arthur waited a long time for Evangeline's reply, growing increasingly restless. He stared at the chat window, his eyes growing dimmer. Just then, a WhatsApp voice call came in—it was Evangeline. His heart skipped a beat. Fearing she might hang up, he answered quickly.

"I was making soup for my brother and didn't check my phone. I didn't block you," Evangeline said.

Arthur tried to remain calm. "Well, I know. I'm not in a rush. I just type fast," he replied casually.

"Where would you like to go?" Evangeline asked.

Arthur hesitated. Does this mean she agrees to show me around? he thought.

"You can't hear me?" Evangeline asked, puzzled.

Arthur snapped back to attention. "Anywhere is fine. I just want to get familiar with the city," he said.

Evangeline paused. "Are you going to stay here often?"

"Probably," Arthur replied.

"Alright, I'll contact you tomorrow after I wake up. But my brother will be coming along," Evangeline said.

Arthur recalled the man from the banquet, and his gaze darkened. Am I being too suspicious? But I felt the man's eyes held an unclean intent as he looked at Evangeline.

He asked, "Was the man on the video call the day you won, your brother?"

Evangeline chuckled. "Yes, that was him. He's a bit mischievous and innocent, not very good with words."

Hearing her affectionate and candid tone, Arthur felt relieved. Her feelings for her brother seemed purely affectionate. "Okay, see you tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll hang up now." Evangeline ended the call. Back in the living room, Dexter had finished his soup. He looked at her, unhappy. "Who were you talking to? Why did you avoid me? Is there something I'm not allowed to hear?"

Evangeline explained, "The person we met leaving the Rouse family. He'll be staying here for a while and asked me to show him around. I agreed." Dexter's eyes darkened. "He asked you, and you agreed? Why are you so nice to him?"

"He's a friend, and he's the one who brought Naomi back years ago. We shouldn't forget that favor," Evangeline said.

Dexter muttered, "But you've already repaid him, and he profited from your appearance on the variety show." Evangeline lightly tapped his head. "Naomi's life is priceless. Even if we've repaid him, we shouldn't forget his kindness." Dexter snorted, still unhappy.

Evangeline said seriously, "Be good and don't throw a tantrum. Even though I have other friends, you're still the person I'm closest to."

She knew Dexter was insecure and overly dependent on her. Whenever she grew close to someone else, he became anxious. His childhood trauma, worsened by a lack of treatment and his own unwillingness to cooperate, made his mental health issues difficult to address.

"Stop overthinking and rest. Your emotions affect your health. If you're not feeling better by tomorrow, I won't let you go out with me," Evangeline said.

Dexter sulked and went upstairs. Evangeline followed. After resting, her routine normalized, and she woke at 6 a.m. Dexter woke when he heard her moving. After washing up, they exercised in the manor. Dexter's health fluctuated; some days he could keep up, others even a few steps left him breathless. After exercising, they showered.

[Have you gotten up? I'm about to head out. I'll pick you up for breakfast.]

Arthur replied: [Okay, I'll wait for you.]

Evangeline put away her phone and went to Dexter's room. He'd just emerged from the shower, hair still wet.

"Why are you so slow? I've already showered and blow-dried my hair, and you're just finished," Evangeline said.

Dexter smiled. "I'm taller than you, so I need to wash more, which takes longer."

Evangeline was speechless. The next second, she slapped his head. If they weren't at home, she would have slapped him harder.

"Hurry up and get dressed. If you dawdle, I'm leaving without you!" She left for downstairs.

She waited ten minutes before Dexter came down, hair half-dried. They left for the Rouse manor, where Arthur waited. Evangeline rolled down the window. "Get in. We'll have breakfast first. My brother can't stay hungry long."

Dexter nodded, taking the back seat. Arthur observed Dexter in the rearview mirror, their gazes meeting. Arthur nodded slightly. "I'm Arthur Ferdinand, a good friend of Evangeline's. She stayed at my place in Hofcaster."

Dexter smiled faintly, his eyes icy. "I'm Dexter Johnson. Eva and I live in the same room."

"You two have a close bond," Arthur said.

"We're not actually siblings," Dexter replied.

"That's fine. To Evangeline, bond matters more than blood ties," Arthur said.

Dexter's smile faded, his gaze cold. But instantly, he returned to his indifferent demeanor, smiling faintly. "You seem older, and there's an age gap. You probably don't have many common topics. Friends lacking common interests might drift apart."

Arthur said, "We do. My hobbies are the same as hers. I enjoy crawling on the floor. I make rapid progress. This is a common interest."

Dexter was speechless. He glanced at Evangeline, annoyed she'd taught Arthur to crawl.

Arthur continued, "I can also be her punching bag. I'm tough, so she can hit me without worrying about criminal liability. You can't do that, right?"

Dexter proudly said, "She hits me every day. She just hit me this morning. Compared to outsiders, she values me more, which is why she hits me harder."

Arthur went silent, thinking, Damn, I lost!

Evangeline was pleased to see them chatting amiably. It's not easy for Dexter to talk this much, and be this happy. He seems to like Arthur. Although their conversation is strange, his willingness to talk indicates a positive impression.

The car stopped at a five-star hotel. As they walked in, a familiar figure approached. "Evangeline?!"