CHAPTER 36: THE CHARITY EVENT (PART 1)

Alexander arched an eyebrow. "You are many things but fragile isn’t one of them."

"Don’t be insolent," she scolded lightly. "I am old, Alexander. Anything could happen tonight. I could trip, I could faint and I could have a heart attack right in front of that dreadful Olivia woman." She threw her hand over her chest and gasped, "Imagine the scandal. Someone has to give me CPR and you expect me to rely on strangers?"

He stared at her, deadpan. "You want me to attend in case you fake a heart attack?"

"Not fake," she corrected primly. "I like to call it trying to have a potential experience."

Alexander sighed but his lips twitched. "You are impossible." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed harder this time. With age, his grandmother was being more and more childlike and dealing with her was becoming a challenge.

"And you are coming," she said sweetly, leaning back in his chair with triumph shining in her eyes.

Before he could respond, the door opened again.

Lucas strolled in, holding two coffee cups and humming off-key. He froze mid-step when he spotted Margaret behind the desk. "Oh, thank God. For a second I thought you had finally lost your mind and started aging backwards."

Margaret’s eyes twinkled. "Lucas Hale, still as charmingly disrespectful as ever."

He grinned, setting one coffee down in front of her. "For you, Mrs. Reid. The usual, extra foam and two sugars."

She laughed, taking it with delight. "You see, Alexander, this is how you greet a lady. You could learn from your friend."

"I am afraid he is beyond saving," Lucas said solemnly. "But I will keep trying."

Alexander muttered, "Why do I even tolerate either of you?"

"Because you love us," Margaret replied without missing a beat.

"Obviously," Lucas added. "I am his emotional support chaos."

Alexander gave him a look. "Do you have work to do?"

Lucas smirked. "Do you? Because it sounds like you have a date with destiny or in this case, your grandmother’s paranoia."

Margaret chuckled, sipping her coffee. "Lucas, you are attending the charity event, I hope?"

"Wouldn’t miss it," he said with a grin. "It’s the best place to watch the rich pretend to care."

"Excellent," she said, clearly pleased. "You will keep me company while Alexander sulks in a corner."

"I don’t sulk," Alexander said flatly.

"Of course not," Lucas said, nodding solemnly. "You just stare at people like you are analyzing their souls."

Margaret nearly snorted into her coffee. "He gets that from his grandfather."

Alexander rolled his eyes, giving up. "Fine. I will attend." He couldn’t take the insult and snarky comments anymore.

"Good boy," she said with satisfaction, standing and patting his cheek affectionately. "Do wear something that doesn’t make you look like you are heading to a funeral. You look more handsome when you try."

As she swept toward the door with her cane tapping lightly against the marble floor, she added, "Six sharp. Don’t be late or I will have Lucas fetch you."

Lucas saluted. "Gladly."

The door closed behind her, leaving Alexander staring after her in disbelief.

Lucas grinned, leaning back on the couch. "Well, look at that. The great Alexander Reid, dethroned by a seventy-five-year-old with a cane."

Alexander shot him a flat look. "She is eighty-two."

Lucas raised his cup. "Even worse. You have got no excuse."

Alexander sighed, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Remind me to fire whoever let both of you in."

Lucas grinned. "Other than the fact that even your father can’t refuse Margaret Reid entry, I will always manage to charm my way in."

.....

[Charity Venue, Grand Garden Hall]

The air inside the hall buzzed with energy. The staff were running from one corner to another, the floral arrangements were adjusted for the tenth time and the sound of clinking glass echoed faintly under the crystal chandeliers.

Evelyn stood near the main archway, clipboard in hand, checking off the final details. She had been there since morning, helping Margaret oversee the setup.

"Those table linens are not ivory, they are bone," came Margaret’s sharp voice behind her. "There is a difference. One looks elegant and the other looks like a hospital sheet."

One of the staff scratched his forehead. "I don’t think anyone will notice, ma’am"

Margaret’s eyes widened. "That is exactly what mediocre people say before an event turns into a tragedy."

"I will have them changed," Evelyn said, rescuing the staff who was on the verge of crying..

Margaret smiled, satisfied and leaned on her cane. "You are learning fast, dear. You handle people well. Reminds me of myself, only prettier."

Evelyn laughed softly. "You make it sound like I am running the whole event."

"You practically are," Margaret said. "If I left it to Olivia, this place would be covered in sequins and fake sympathy."

One of the main reasons for Margaret taking charge of the event even though she had retired from the club was Olivia. If she hadn’t used her authority and taken charge, Olivia would be doing it and she didn’t want that.

Evelyn shook her head. "You really don’t like her, do you?"

"I am old, darling. At my age, I have run out of reasons to pretend," Margaret said with her eyes glinting.

Evelyn smiled, glancing at her checklist again. "Everything looks perfect now. We should be done soon."

Margaret hummed in approval before casually adding, "Good. That means you will have enough time to get ready before tonight."

Evelyn hesitated for a while and asked, "Do I have to attend?"

"Of course," Margaret said breezily. "You are attending the event."

"I thought I would just help set up and leave."

"Nonsense," Margaret said, waving a dismissive hand. "You have worked too hard not to enjoy the chaos. Besides, Alexander will be there."

Evelyn’s cheeks warmed despite herself. "I thought he didn’t like these events."

"Then he can suffer gracefully and it will help build character," Margaret said, tapping her cane. "Now go home, get ready and wear something stunning."

"Yes boss," Evelyn gathered her things and left the venue.

.....