CHAPTER 38: THE CHARITY GALA (PART 3)

The murmur in the hall shifted again as the next guest entered.

Evelyn Carter.

She walked into the pavilion with quiet grace. Her soft blue gown catching the warm light and making her look almost ethereal. Her hair was swept up loosely with a few strands framing her face and the faint silver of her earrings glinted each time she moved.

She made no effort to impress yet every eye seemed to follow her.

Melissa spotted her first and her face brightened. "There she is," she murmured to Gregory before waving her over.

Margaret’s expression softened instantly. "Ah, my favourite person finally arrives. Took you long enough, dear."

Evelyn smiled shyly, making her way toward them. "You look beautiful tonight, Mrs. Reid," she said warmly.

Margaret beamed, patting her hand affectionately. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

Pauline chuckled softly. "She is right though. You look lovely, Evelyn."

"Thank you," Evelyn said but her cheeks held a faint colour that wasn’t just from the compliments.

Then finally her eyes met the ones that had been waiting for her.

With his arms tucked in his pocket, Alexander’s eyes were glued on Evelyn like she was the only person in the room.

Evelyn had just smiled at his direction when Olivia’s voice sliced through the gentle hum of chatter.

"Well,this is a surprise—" Olivia began with every syllable wrapped in polite venom. "I wasn’t sure you would be brave enough to attend tonight. After everything that has been said—" her tone was light, but the sharpness beneath it was unmistakable.

The surrounding air seemed to dip in temperature.

Evelyn blinked and her posture tightened slightly. "Why wouldn’t I be?"

Olivia smiled. "Oh, no reason at all. It’s just that some people prefer to avoid attention after public scandals. Especially when broken hearts are involved."

She then sighed softly with her hand touching her chest. "Jack is still so heartbroken, poor thing. He has barely been himself since— well, since the incident."

The venom-laced words hung in the air.

And a few heads nearby turned subtly.

Melissa’s expression hardened, Gregory’s jaw tightened and Margaret’s eyes flashed cold.

Before any of them could speak, another voice broke through.

"Olivia," Alexander’s tone was calm and it carried through the hum of the crowd without needing volume.

Olivia turned toward him, surprised. "Yes, Alexander?"

"I think you have said enough."

It wasn’t loud, it didn’t need to be. Alexander’s voice carried the kind of still power that silenced a room.

Heads turned in his direction and not dramatically but with that subtle curiosity that comes when a line has been crossed.

He stood near the edge of the group, tall and steady in his dark tuxedo. Even his posture was composed but something in his tone made Olivia’s spine straighten ever so slightly.

"Alexander—" she said lightly, masking irritation with laughter, "I was only trying to be sympathetic. You misunderstand—"

"Do I?" His voice remained even and deceptively polite. "Forgive me, I thought sympathy required sincerity and not an audience."

The air seemed to contract.

Olivia blinked and her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she found it again. "You have been very protective lately."

"Not protective," Alexander said. "Just tired of watching grace mistaken for weakness."

A hush followed. It was the kind of silence that says too much.

Olivia’s jaw tightened. "For a man who barely says a word unless needed, you have become very sharp."

"Only when provoked," he replied smoothly with his eyes never leaving hers.

It was elegant and devastating, the kind of exchange that didn’t need raised voices to draw blood.

For a heartbeat, no one breathed.

Then Benjamin chuckled. "There is the Reid temper. I was starting to wonder if he had inherited it."

Olivia’s smile tightened. She glanced at Benjamin as though expecting him to intervene but he only whispered, "Careful Olivia, you are making a fool of yourself."

Her face froze for the briefest second before she turned away, muttering something about checking on the auction table.

As she walked off, the tension in the air broke.

Margaret sighed with dramatic satisfaction. "Finally. I was starting to think I would have to do it myself."

Melissa smiled faintly. "I rather enjoyed that."

Tapping her cane on the floor, Margaret sighed, "Well, at least there was something worth watching tonight."

Pauline’s lips curved behind her glass and even Melissa, who had been fuming quietly, allowed a small, satisfied smile.

Margaret then leaned slightly toward Alexander. "Remind me to bring you to every party I attend from now on."

He gave her a sidelong look. "I would rather face a board meeting."

"Oh, don’t be dramatic," Margaret huffed, pleased. "You handled her beautifully. She looked like she swallowed a lemon."

Soon the group started engaging with the crowd. Gregory and Melissa went around meeting their acquaintances while Margaret and Pauline started socializing again.

Evelyn stood quietly through it all with her heart beating faster than she wanted to admit.

When Alexander finally looked at her, her lips parted but no words came.

He took a slow step toward her. "Are you all right?"

She nodded faintly. "I am now."

For a moment, the world around them dimmed. Just the two of them standing close enough for her to feel each other’s racing hearts.

She looked at him quietly with a mix of gratitude and disbelief in her eyes. "You didn’t have to do that," she said softly.

"I know," he replied. "But I wanted to."

"Thank you," she said softly.

He met her gaze. "You don’t owe me thanks."

"Maybe not," she murmured, "but you have it anyway."

A small smile tugged at his lips.

Across the room, Margaret’s voice rang out. "Well, if this night gets any better, I might start believing in miracles."

Pauline sighed. "Mother, please."

Benjamin, still smiling faintly, raised his glass again though his gaze lingered thoughtfully on his eldest son.

And Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that something between her and Alexander had shifted. It wasn’t loud or abrupt but like a quiet tide turning under calm waters.

.....