Chapter 111

The sleek Bentley SUV glided smoothly along the winding highway.

In the backseat, two children sat quietly.

Isabella clutched a juice box, taking small sips occasionally.

Dominic glanced at the rearview mirror, observing the children. Beside them sat a Paw Patrol-themed suitcase.

Alexander had packed it himself, looking every bit the runaway.

Dominic sighed. Handling corporate crises was easier than dealing with his boss's family drama.

He debated whether to inform Mr. Blackwood about this situation.

After careful consideration, Dominic decided to assess Evelyn's reaction first before reporting anything.

"I'm never going back. What about you?" Alexander asked his sister.

"Me neither. The orphanage would be better than that house." Isabella shuddered remembering the constant arguments between their grandmothers.

The only person they'd miss was Great-grandfather Reginald.

Dominic massaged his temples. Even his Harvard MBA hadn't prepared him for this.

At the bistro...

Evelyn found Harrison surprisingly pleasant company.

An ordinary accountant, he dressed simply but neatly - refreshingly normal after her experiences with the Blackwoods.

"Since we both work downtown, maybe I could give you rides sometimes?" Harrison offered tentatively.

When Evelyn didn't respond immediately, he flushed. "Too forward? Sorry, I'll take it slower."

Evelyn smiled. "No, it's fine."

Harrison's ears turned pink at her acceptance.

Their conversation lulled into comfortable silence until the waiter arrived with their salads and steaks.

Just as Evelyn looked up to thank the server, she spotted three familiar figures entering.

Dominic stood at the host stand while the twins dragged an oversized suitcase, scanning the room.

Evelyn's stomach dropped.

"Excuse me," she murmured, heading for the restroom.

Harrison, oblivious, began cutting Evelyn's steak.

Alexander's sharp eyes found his target near the bathrooms.

Years of etiquette training warred with desperation. He abandoned his suitcase and sprinted toward Evelyn.

"Aunt Evie!" The boy collided with her legs.

Evelyn knelt, smoothing his hair. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?"

"Uncle Sebastian brought us." Alexander's dark eyes welled with tears.

Evelyn's heart ached. The children's affection touched her deeply, but their father... that bridge was burned.

"Let's get you home," she coaxed.

"No! You can't date him! You belong with Daddy!" Alexander's voice rose.

Two women exiting the bathroom shot disapproving looks. "Some mothers," one muttered.

Evelyn checked her watch. Five minutes was too long for a bathroom break. She couldn't abandon this date - not when her colleague had gone through such effort to arrange it.

"Shh, I'm not dating. It's a business meeting," she fibbed.

Alexander sniffed. "Promise? Then we'll wait quietly over there."

Evelyn agreed reluctantly. Sending them away would only cause a scene.

Returning to the table, Evelyn found her steak neatly portioned. "Thank you," she said absently.

"You look pale. Are you unwell?" Harrison asked concerned.

"Just tired," Evelyn deflected.

Nearby, the twins settled at an adjacent table. "Miss? May we have menus?" Isabella asked politely.

Evelyn tensed, expecting chaos. Instead, the children behaved impeccably - if one ignored their bizarre conversation.

"A child without Mommy is like a weed," Alexander sighed dramatically.

"At least weeds grow strong," Isabella countered. "We're like... like wilted flowers."

Harrison glanced at the well-dressed children curiously. They looked nothing like neglected orphans.

An hour later, Harrison received a work call. Evelyn encouraged him to leave, claiming she needed to wait for a colleague.

As Harrison departed, the restaurant doors swung open violently.

A towering figure in an immaculate black suit stormed in, his icy glare making servers scatter.

The twins immediately ducked their heads.

Evelyn turned just as Dominic entered behind his employer, witnessing Mr. Blackwood's wrath firsthand.

In one swift motion, Dominic scooped up Isabella while Mr. Blackwood seized Alexander's arm.

"No! Help me, Aunt Evie!" Alexander wriggled free and latched onto Evelyn's legs, sobbing hysterically.