[Later That Night]
The hum of the city faded as the black car rolled through the quiet streets.
Benjamin leaned back in his seat with a faint and satisfied smile playing on his lips as he swirled the wine in his glass. "Well, that turned out to be a pleasant evening, didn't it?"
Across from him, Alexander sat with his gaze fixed on the passing lights outside. "Pleasant isn't the word I would use," he said evenly. "You didn't mention Evelyn would be there."
Benjamin chuckled lowly, not looking the least bit guilty. "If I had, would you have come?"
Alexander turned his head, his sharp gaze cutting to his father. "You should answer my question first."
"Exactly." Benjamin's grin widened as he set the glass down. "Sometimes, son, people need to be caught off guard. It shows you who they really are when they don't have time to prepare."
Alexander frowned slightly, unsure what game his father was playing. "And what exactly did you want to see tonight?"
Benjamin's eyes gleamed. "Nothing more than what was already there. Evelyn Carter is a fine young woman. Graceful, composed and she handled the situation far better than I expected." He paused, then added with a note of mock regret, "A shame Jack had to ruin such a good thing."
Alexander's jaw tightened. He didn't want to talk about his brother but Benjamin wasn't done.
"Tell me something—" Benjamin looked at him. "If you had a woman like Evelyn, would you have thrown her away like that?"
Alexander's brows drew together. The question caught him off guard. It was too direct and personal. "What are you getting at?"
Benjamin smiled faintly. "Just a question, indulge me." His gaze was fixed on Alexander as he waited for his response.
Alexander hesitated then exhaled. "No," he said simply. "I wouldn't."
For a moment, silence filled the car, making Alexander feel a little uncomfortable. He could feel something wasn't right and his father was onto something but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Benjamin's lips curved into a small knowing smile. "Good," he said softly. "That's what I thought."
…..
[Next Day-Carter Mansion]
The morning light spilled faintly through the curtains in Evelyn's bedroom floor. She had barely slept as her mind kept circling back to last night's dinner, to Alexander's voice and to the way he apologized which sounded almost sincere.
Her phone kept vibrating on the nightstand. She groaned and finally she reached for it, squinting at the blinding screen.
Hundreds of notifications. Messages. Missed calls and her name—Evelyn Carter— flashing in trending headlines.
Her breath hitched as she opened one.
'Evelyn Carter Moving On? Dinner With Alexander Reid Sparks Romance Rumors.'
Exclusive photos from a private restaurant show Evelyn Carter sharing a quiet, intimate moment with her ex's elder brother, Alexander Reid.
There were several photos—her smiling faintly, Alexander leaning forward as if to say something, his eyes on her. The angle and the clarity did not look accidental, it looked planned.
A sharp knock startled her. The door opened slightly and a house helper stepped in, carrying a breakfast tray. "Miss Carter, Miss Patricia is here."
Evelyn didn't look up. "Send her in."
Moments later, Patricia entered the room. She had no makeup, hair was tied messily and she was still in her sweatshirt. "Eve, I have been calling you since morning. What the hell is going on?"
Evelyn didn't answer. She was still staring at the screen with her hands trembling slightly.
Patricia walked closer, snatching the phone gently from her grip. "Don't look at these, it's nonsensical."
Evelyn's voice came out low and hollow. "It's everywhere, isn't it?"
Patricia nodded slowly as she sat beside her. "Yeah, every outlet's running it. Some even called it 'The Redemption of Evelyn Carter.' Like this is a damn movie."
Evelyn let out a bitter laugh. "Funny, isn't it? Last week I was the heartbroken fool and now I am the woman moving on with the other brother."
The silence stretched which was heavy and suffocating. Then she said softly, "Patricia this can't just be a coincidence."
Patricia frowned. "What do you mean?"
Evelyn turned the phone toward her, showing one of the pictures which was perfectly framed and was taken from inside the restaurant. "These weren't taken from the street. That section was private. No paparazzi were allowed so how did they get these shots?"
Patricia blinked. "You think someone leaked it?"
"I don't think," Evelyn said quietly. "I know." Her eyes hardened slightly with suspicion. "Everything about this feels too clean and too perfectly timed."
Patricia reached for her hand. "Eve, you don't think Alexander—?"
Evelyn shook her head immediately. "No, he wouldn't." She didn't know who did it but she was sure it wasn't him. "I just don't know who would."
The phone buzzed again with another notification.
And this time Evelyn didn't even look, she just tossed it aside.
Patricia sighed and gave her a hug. "Don't worry, everything will be okay."
Evelyn leaned against her friend's shoulder unsure of what to feel and what to expect next. She had barely escaped the recent scandal and a new one had just popped up, making her life more complicated than it already was.
…..