Chapter 242

"Over here!" The little girl's cheerful voice rang out, her delicate features bearing an uncanny resemblance to Evelyn's.

Alexander knelt down, gently stroking the child's silky hair.

"Hello, Amelia. I'm Ethan's father."

"I remember you." The child blinked her sparkling hazel eyes. "Are you here to play with me, kind sir?"

A warm smile touched Alexander's lips as he produced a plush rabbit from his coat pocket.

"I brought Ethan to school today, so I thought I'd visit you too. This is for you."

"Oh! She's so fluffy!" Amelia immediately cuddled the stuffed animal, completely enchanted.

Seizing the moment, Alexander discreetly plucked a single strand of hair from the child's head.

Gazing at her innocent face, his chest tightened with unspoken longing.

With conflicted emotions swirling inside him, Alexander headed straight to a private DNA testing facility. Using his connections, he expedited the process.

"The results will take approximately eight hours," the technician informed him.

Leaving the clinic, Alexander drove toward Sebastian Whitman's corporate headquarters.

After circling the block twice, he abruptly changed direction.

If Sebastian was determined to keep Evelyn's secrets, no amount of questioning would yield answers.

The agonizing wait stretched before him like an eternity.

Meanwhile, Evelyn was reviewing shipment manifests for Lady Belle's upcoming anniversary gala when Alexander's luxury sedan pulled up outside her boutique.

Remembering their tense conversation the previous night, she composed herself quickly.

"Mr. Blackwood? To what do I owe this pleasure?" Her voice remained steady as she met his intense gaze. "Is there something on my face?" she added lightly when his stare lingered.

Alexander closed the distance between them, his presence overwhelming. "I simply can't look away from such breathtaking beauty, Miss Prescott."

Evelyn's cheeks warmed at his boldness in public. "We're both engaged to others, Mr. Blackwood. People might talk."

Ignoring the curious glances from passersby, he asked, "Picking up your daughter?"

Evelyn nodded cautiously. "And if I am?"

"I'm collecting Ethan. We'll go together."

Before she could protest, he added, "There's something I need to discuss regarding my son."

That gave her pause. Despite herself, she wanted to know more about the boy.

Sliding into the passenger seat, Evelyn watched the cityscape blur past through tinted windows.

The charged silence broke when Alexander asked mockingly, "So tell me, future aunt, how did you and my uncle meet?"

Knowing he'd been investigating her, Evelyn answered breezily, "Online. Love at first sight."

"Really?" His skeptical smile didn't reach his eyes. "What exactly attracted you to him?"

"Everything. His maturity, reliability, that quiet strength." She counted off on her fingers. "Not to mention he's devastatingly handsome. I'm the luckiest woman alive."

The car jerked to a sudden stop at a red light.

Evelyn looked up to find Alexander's smoldering gaze locked onto her.

Leaning dangerously close, his breath warm against her cheek, he murmured, "And what do you think of me?"

Just as Evelyn opened her mouth to respond, his phone rang.

Scowling at the interruption, Alexander's expression shifted when he saw the caller ID.

"Mr. Blackwood? Your DNA results are ready. I'm emailing the report now. Please call if you have questions."