Chapter 77

The children's footsteps echoed down the grand staircase as they spotted the sleek black Range Rover parked outside the estate.

"It's Daddy's car!" Isabella squealed with excitement.

"Aunt Evelyn, we missed you so much!" Alexander reached her first, wrapping his small arms around her waist.

Evelyn stumbled slightly from the impact but quickly regained her balance. She knelt to pinch Isabella's rosy cheeks. "I missed you both terribly."

Reginald Blackwood observed the heartwarming scene with satisfaction. His grandson's marriage prospects were looking brighter by the minute.

"Children, behave yourselves." Dominic's deep voice carried across the foyer as he stepped out of the vehicle. His stern gaze made both twins pout.

Isabella crossed her arms. "But Daddy, you hug Aunt Evelyn all the time! We saw you make her cry last week!"

Dominic's jaw tightened.

Evelyn's cheeks flushed crimson.

"So you're the famous Aunt Evelyn," Reginald chuckled, approaching with outstretched hands. "My grandson certainly has excellent taste."

The elderly gentleman looked dapper in his tailored gray trousers and checkered vest, every inch the distinguished patriarch.

Evelyn straightened immediately. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Blackwood."

"Nonsense! Come inside, my dear." Reginald ushered her toward the sitting room. "The children adore you already. That's half the battle won."

A maid began unloading gifts from the car - modest but thoughtful presents that pleased the old man immensely. Evelyn's practicality impressed him far more than extravagant gestures would have.

Julian descended the stairs after ensuring his mother was settled. "Well hello there, future sister-in-law! I'm the less impressive Blackwood brother."

Evelyn stood abruptly at the unexpected title. "Evelyn Sinclair. It's nice to meet you."

Dominic guided her to sit beside him, positioning himself as a protective barrier between Evelyn and his family's probing questions.

"How old are you, dear?" Reginald inquired.

"Twenty-four."

"Perfect! Dominic's five years your senior - ideal age difference." The old man produced a newspaper clipping from the coffee table drawer with suspicious ease. "Scientific studies prove couples with this age gap have the most stable marriages."

Julian rolled his eyes at his grandfather's obvious setup.

Alexander frowned at the adults' chatter. "Where's Grandmother Beatrice?" The boy looked absurdly formal in his miniature tuxedo, as if he were the one introducing a fiancée.

Julian ruffled his nephew's heavily gelled hair. "Used up my entire hairspray, didn't you? Careful or birds will start nesting in there."

Alexander shot his uncle a withering look, but Evelyn rescued him with a gentle smile, pulling him onto the sofa beside her. The boy smirked triumphantly at his father.

Reginald noticed Evelyn's questioning glance toward the empty chair. "Dominic's mother had a prior engagement at a fashion gala. Entirely my fault for rushing this meeting. She'll be home shortly."

Evelyn had seen Beatrice Lockwood in society pages - the woman attended every A-list event in the city. She opened her mouth to respond when tires crunched on the driveway gravel.

"Grandmother's home!" Isabella dashed to the door.

Beatrice Lockwood entered with effortless grace, her designer heels clicking against marble. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, dear. I wasn't informed about our special guest."

Evelyn rose quickly. "The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Lockwood. We arrived quite unexpectedly."

Beatrice embraced her warmly, but Dominic swiftly extracted Evelyn from his mother's arms. "Sit, Mother."

Reginald hid a smile behind his hand. His grandson's protectiveness spoke volumes.

"Evelyn, was it? I've heard so much about you from Isabella." Beatrice settled onto the sofa with perfect posture.

Before Evelyn could respond, a sharp voice cut through the room. "Enough of this charade!"

All heads turned toward the staircase where Margaret Lockwood descended in a floral qipao, her face contorted with rage. A glass of crimson juice trembled in her hand.

"You scheming witch!" Margaret hurled the liquid directly into Beatrice's face before slamming the empty glass onto a side table. "Thought you could hide me away, did you?"

Evelyn gasped, frozen in shock.

The maid rushed forward with towels, while Dominic remained impassive. The twins simply sighed, as if this were routine.

"Mother, please!" Julian grabbed her arm, but Margaret shook him off, reeking of alcohol.

Her wild eyes locked onto Evelyn. A chilling smile twisted her lips as she took in the newcomer's horrified expression...