Chapter 127
Alexander had no interest in speaking with Daddy anymore. He grabbed a towel to dry Isabella's tiny fingers as she splashed joyfully by the poolside.
"You shouldn't get your hair wet. Little ladies must stay proper." Alexander sighed. Between his strict father and overprotective older brother, life wasn't easy for a five-year-old.
Kneeling by the water's edge, he carefully patted his sister's damp curls while secretly wishing for a mother's gentle touch. Since infancy, he'd dreamed of Mommy returning for them.
He used to imagine that even if she didn't reconcile with Daddy, weekend visits would be enough. But now? His hopes had shifted completely.
These days, Alexander only wished Daddy would marry Aunt Evelyn instead. Then Isabella could enjoy the fairy-tale childhood every little girl deserved.
"Is that... Yvette?" someone gasped, pointing toward the manor gates.
Alexander turned to see a cherry-red convertible rolling up the driveway.
A garishly dressed middle-aged woman preened to her companions. "My Yvette just returned from Paris last Thursday. Straight into a prestigious job at Blackwood Enterprises! Started working younger than I ever did."
Mrs. Prescott strutted forward as her daughter emerged from the sports car.
Yvette scanned the gathering with practiced grace as she approached. When her mother reached her, she hissed through clenched teeth, "What were you thinking wearing that gaudy chain? You look like a lottery winner! All those fashion magazines I sent you—wasted!"
"I did study them!" Mrs. Prescott protested.
"Enough. You're embarrassing me," Yvette snapped before transforming her expression. She floated toward her aunt with outstretched arms. "Darling Aunt Eleanor! You look positively radiant—I barely recognized you!"
"You always know just what to say," the older woman tittered, wrinkles creasing around her smile. "Your mother mentioned you've started working?"
Yvette's gaze flickered toward where Dominic sat observing his twins. "At Blackwood Enterprises," she murmured with calculated shyness.
Though Dominic remained quietly focused on his children, his presence electrified the room. Society girls watched him hungrily, too intimidated to approach.
Eleanor followed Yvette's gaze and connected the dots. "My clever niece! Landing at Blackwood right after returning? I'll expect wedding invitations soon."
Yvette's demure nod confirmed the unspoken assumption. Among the elite, her infatuation with Mr. Blackwood was an open secret.
By dinner, whispers had snowballed into outrageous claims. "Dominic Blackwood will move heaven and earth to marry Yvette Prescott."
A rival socialite scoffed into her champagne. "Yvette? My daughter is far prettier!"
"Between a 27-year-old tycoon and a 19-year-old debutante, who do you think he'd choose?" her companion smirked.
The older woman sniffed. "Youth alone won't secure the Blackwood name. We'll see about that."
Meanwhile, Yvette was desperately trying to charm Alexander and Isabella.
Sebastian had arrived ten minutes prior, anticipating his employer might need to indulge in social drinking. As Dominic's assistant, safeguarding the twins was his priority.
Those seeking Dominic's favor usually had business agendas. But those targeting his children? Their motives ran deeper.
Like Miss Prescott currently fawning over the twins.
Sebastian observed silently.
Alexander focused intently on his handheld console while Isabella watched, mesmerized. Yvette hovered awkwardly, unfamiliar with the game.
After several failed attempts to engage them, she pulled out her phone. "Try this popular game!" she offered brightly.
Alexander barely glanced at the screen.
Sebastian intervened immediately. "Ms. Prescott, Master Alexander's games are specially curated. Mr. Blackwood doesn't permit mature content."
"What nonsense! Games are games!" Yvette's mask slipped as she snapped at Sebastian. "You're not my father—stop lecturing me!"
Sebastian realized why Yvette remained an outsider among elites. Such vulgar outbursts explained everything.
"Come along, children," he said, dismissing her.
Alexander adjusted his baseball cap, one headphone dangling as he gripped his game. Taking Isabella's hand, he hurried away from the witch-like woman.
The spectacle hadn't gone unnoticed.
Yvette had hoped to demonstrate her imminent engagement by bonding with the twins. She knew better than to approach Dominic directly—their lack of chemistry would be obvious.
But now? Her carefully constructed image lay in ruins.
During the Lockwood family dinner...
Three hours had passed since Maxwell carried his girlfriend upstairs. The doctor had departed long ago—clearly the situation wasn't dire, or Maxwell and his parents wouldn't be entertaining guests.
Yet Dominic's aunt and uncle kept shooting him peculiar glances. Their knowing looks prickled his curiosity. Just who was Maxwell's mysterious girlfriend?