Chapter 818

Evelyn Ross and Joanna Sterling exchanged a glance, their eyes turning toward the center of the living room.

Joanna lowered her voice.

"If Alistair Montgomery really adopts the Crown Prince's child, the power structure in Aldoria will fracture."

"While it's advantageous for us—the more chaotic Aldoria is, the easier it will be for us to return—it feels a bit ungracious."

"Alistair just promised to let me return openly and honorably, and here I am, hoping for his misfortune."

Evelyn gave a slight nod.

Beside them, little Chloe Davis suddenly piped up.

"Daddy already has me, his daughter! Why would he need to adopt someone else's child?"

Natalie Castillo couldn't help but laugh.

"Little Chloe, you have quite the imagination. Do you really think you're a little princess?"

"I am!"

Chloe Davis put her hands on her hips, her eyes wide.

She turned to look at Alistair Montgomery and suddenly started toddling forward on her short legs, ready to charge over.

Joanna was quick.

She grabbed the back of Chloe's collar and pulled her into her arms.

"Don't cause trouble."

"That's not a place for playing around. Someone could get seriously hurt."

"Don't go over there."

Chloe's little legs kicked in the air.

"I really am Daddy's child! Why won't you believe me? Ugh!"

Hearing this, Evelyn looked thoughtfully at Chloe.

On the other side.

The atmosphere in the living room was tense and charged.

Alistair Montgomery and the Crown Prince stood facing each other.

The air seemed to freeze, a conflict ready to erupt at any moment.

The Crown Prince stared at Alistair.

"Why are you silent?"

Alistair suddenly looked down, his tone calm.

"Brother, check your phone first."

The Crown Prince was taken aback.

"Check my phone? Don't change the subject—"

Before he could finish, his phone rang.

The Crown Prince glanced at the caller ID, his expression shifting.

He answered the call.

Whatever was said on the other end made the Crown Prince's face instantly darken.

He looked up sharply, glaring at Alistair.

"Was this your doing?"

Alistair's expression remained serene.

"If your oil fields were legal and compliant, Brother, I couldn't have touched them."

"You—"

"Brother should go handle this quickly."

"If the matter becomes public…" Alistair glanced at the Crown Prince's ten-year-old son.

"You'll be condemned by the entire nation."

"By then, even if I wanted to adopt a child, I couldn't choose from your line."

"After all… public opinion in Aldoria is important, isn't it?"

Alistair threw the Crown Prince's earlier threat back at him, word for word.

The Crown Prince's chest heaved with anger.

He gritted his teeth.

"Alistair Montgomery, fine! I'll concede this round!"

"But you'll have to return to Aldoria eventually, won't you?"

"The royal family members are already dissatisfied."

"When you go back, do you think you can avoid the issue of adoption?"

The Crown Prince delivered his final threat and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Alistair's two quiet words made the Crown Prince pause.

Alistair pointed at the ten-year-old prince.

"Take your son with you."

The Crown Prince: "…"

The group had entered with great fanfare.

They left in disgrace.

Elian Cross waited until they were far away before walking up to Alistair.

He asked directly, "What are you going to do?"

Alistair shook his head with a sigh.

"China is my last hope."

"If I can find a cure for my condition here, or find a woman who can bear my child, I can still delay."

"If not… for the sake of national stability, I'll have no choice but to adopt."

Elian Cross sighed.

"With great power comes great responsibility."

"With great responsibility comes many constraints."

"Alistair, stay strong."

Alistair nodded, then suddenly smiled.

"There's an old saying in China: 'The cart will find its way around the hill when it gets there.'"

"I can still stay in China for one more week."

"During this week, perhaps I'll find a solution."

"Or perhaps… a child will fall from the sky?"

Elian Cross also smiled.

"Right. Don't borrow trouble from the future."

"This week, let's put all our worries aside and enjoy our time in China!"

The two men raised their glasses and clinked them gently.

After drinking, Alistair looked toward where Evelyn was standing.

His gaze settled on Chloe, who was being held by Joanna.

He spoke suddenly.

"If I were to adopt a child, that little girl would actually be quite suitable."

Elian Cross followed his gaze and chuckled.

"That might be difficult, Alistair."

"You are a king in Aldoria, but the Sterling Family is a commercial empire."

"That little girl is the most cherished princess of the Sterling Family."

"Moreover, Evelyn Ross and Alexander Vance also hold her in high regard."

Alistair sighed.

"I was just saying…"

Elian Cross suddenly asked, "Mr. Montgomery, did you really come to China just for medical treatment?"

Alistair smiled.

"You noticed?"

"Yes. Your people seem to be looking for someone in New York."

Alistair lowered his eyes.

"Actually, many years ago, I had a brief affair with a Chinese woman."

"I was thinking… if I have any child out there in the world, it must have been born to that woman."