Chapter 576
Chapter 576:
Someone lightly brushed her arm, and she jolted back to herself. She forced a composed smile and handed the pen back to the staff member. Even so, she glanced again. The handwriting was exactly the same.
Lyman sensed the shift in her demeanor and asked quietly, “What’s wrong p>
Kailey shook her head. “I’ll explain later p>
She didn’t know how to explain. Merritt was a physicist — by all logic, their worlds should never have overlapped. Yet Kailey had possessed an exceptional memory since childhood, and after receiving those two anonymous notes, she had studied the handwriting countless times. There was no possibility of error.
Her palms were damp. Her thoughts tangled into chaos.
They entered the hall and took their seats.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻
She barely noticed when Lyman passed her a bottle of water. Her gaze kept drifting forward to the front row, where Merritt sat at the center, a distinguished presence among the crowd.
She whispered suddenly, “When are you planning to invite Merritt for a meal p>
Lyman hadn’t expected the question. After a brief pause, he answered, “Tomorrow p>
“I want to come with you p>
“You do p>
She turned to him. His eyes were filled with quiet curiosity. She lifted her brows lightly. “Why not? I have time, and I won’t interfere with your discussion p>
Lyman studied her for a moment, then said nothing more.
After the conference concluded, Merritt and Lyman confirmed the arrangement. Before they could part ways, someone called Lyman aside, leaving Kailey and Merritt near the entrance.
Merritt’s expression was warm and gentle, like that of a kindly elder.
“Miss Evans, you seem rather interested in me p>
Kailey had already steadied herself. Her eyes shimmered slightly as she replied with grace, “I am. I believe I saw your photograph at home when I was young p>
“Really?” Merritt looked genuinely surprised.
Kailey maintained a flawless smile. “My mother’s name was Alissa Evans. You may have known her p>
“Alissa p>
Merritt’s gaze grew complex, layered with emotions that were difficult to name. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice uneven. “Yes. I knew your mother. She was remarkable. I never imagined you would be all grown up now.” Emotion colored his words, rushed and unguarded.
He glanced at his watch. “I apologize. I have another engagement. We’ll speak another time p>
Kailey stepped aside and nodded.
As Merritt departed, Lyman returned. “What did you talk about p>
“Nothing important p>
Kailey looked away, recalling Merritt’s distracted expression as he entered his car. The weight that had lingered over her heart finally eased a little.
Merritt. Perhaps he was the right place to begin.
Kailey spoke little to Lyman afterward, but during a casual exchange with Shawn the following day, she learned that Lyman and Merritt had known each other for many years. “When the company was in its early stages, it relied heavily on physics-related expertise. Mr. Vasquez brought Mr. Calderon on as a consultant. Over time, they built a solid rapport p>
Kailey nodded. “So it’s a friendship across generations p>
“I suppose so.” Shawn didn’t sound fully convinced. Apart from a few childhood acquaintances, Lyman kept no one particularly close.
Kailey continued to ask about Merritt’s history, her expression thoughtful.