October 20, Oliver's birthday party.
Since early morning, long before breakfast, Evelyn had been a blur of motion around the house.
The back hall buzzed with activity as florists arranged bouquets and staff hung the last of the garlands for Oliver's birthday lunch.
The theme she had chosen, Horses and Ponies, was perfectly fitting for her son's current obsession. The scent of hay and freshly cut grass from the stables mingled faintly with the sweet smell of frosting drifting from the kitchen.
But Evelyn was not one to leave things entirely in the hands of others.
Even though Axel had asked her repeatedly to let Jimmy, their reliable butler, handle everything, Evelyn insisted on double-checking every detail herself.
She moved briskly between the back hall and the main kitchen, her tablet in hand, occasionally stopping to make notes.
The chef, Danny, and a few staff were busy at a row of stainless steel counters.
She gracefully approached Danny.
