Chapter 109

"I'll give Oliver his share when the time comes," Evelyn answered calmly.

In Hawthorne Estate, Oliver had been the only one who truly cared for her. Though he'd left to study overseas years ago and hadn't returned since finishing high school.

Richard clenched his jaw, his voice tight with frustration. "Fine, I'll take that wager. If you don't marry Alexander, you forfeit your 8% stake in Horizon Enterprises!"

His greed was obvious—he wanted the inheritance William had left to protect her, the last lifeline her grandfather had secured for her.

Evelyn's lips curved into a cold smile. "Deal."

The unwavering confidence in her eyes unsettled Richard.

For a moment, he felt like he'd stepped right into a trap she had meticulously laid.

But he dismissed the thought just as quickly. There was no way a man like Alexander Whitmore would ever marry someone like her.

Halfway through dinner, Evelyn received an urgent call and had to excuse herself.

As she turned to leave, Vanessa watched her retreating figure, biting her lip before speaking. "I'm getting married in two days, and Evelyn can't even stay for a full meal. Mom, does she hate me?"

Before Margaret could answer, Evelyn, slipping on her heels by the door, smirked. "You think highly of yourself, don't you? Are you Alexander Whitmore or something? Why would I care about you?"

Without waiting for Vanessa's reaction, she strode out, the door clicking shut behind her.

Ethan's wedding was approaching, and his friends had arranged a wild bachelor party for him at Eclipse Lounge tonight.

The lounge pulsed with energy, packed with heirs of wealthy families, each surrounded by women in barely-there outfits. As the night wore on, inhibitions vanished—couples tangled on velvet couches, lost in heated embraces.

Coincidentally, it was also Alexander's birthday. Lucas had organized a more refined gathering for him at the same venue.

Unlike Ethan's raucous celebration, Alexander's party was subdued—mostly close friends, a few with their partners in tow.

Claire, having tracked Lucas down, dragged Evelyn along.

The moment Evelyn stepped inside, the contrasting atmospheres hit her. One side was pure decadence; the other, controlled elegance.

Her gaze flickered across the room—until it landed on Alexander.

He sat in a dimly lit corner, a glass of whiskey in hand, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow. Their eyes met.

A beat of silence.

Then, chaos erupted on Ethan's side—a glass shattered, followed by drunken laughter.

Evelyn exhaled sharply.

Of all nights to run into him.

And of all places.

Claire had come prepared with divorce papers, intending to shove them in Lucas's face in front of all his friends and demand his signature.

But the moment they stepped into the dimly lit Eclipse Lounge, hesitation crept in.

"Why should men be the only ones enjoying themselves?" she muttered under her breath.

Spotting the most visible VIP booth, Claire tugged Evelyn down beside her.

"Did you hear? This place just hired some elite dancers—tall, sculpted, and ridiculously good-looking. Should we invite a couple over?" Claire suggested, mischief glinting in her eyes.

Before Evelyn could respond, Claire had already signaled the manager with an elegant flick of her wrist.

Leaning back like a queen holding court, Claire made her desires unmistakably clear.

The manager, sharp as ever, caught on immediately and disappeared with a knowing smirk.

Less than thirty seconds later, he returned with two stunning men in crisp white shirts and fitted black trousers.

Both towered well over six feet, their chiseled abs visible beneath the fabric, faces sculpted like Greek gods.

"Ladies, will these gentlemen suffice?" the manager asked smoothly.

Claire's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she studied them.

Evelyn, however, stiffened beside her, her gaze darting toward a shadowed corner of the lounge.

Because there, seated with his usual arrogant ease, was Lucas Bennett—watching them with dark, unreadable eyes.

Claire's gaze swept across the dimly lit room before suddenly reaching out to tilt a dancer's chin upward. The young man's cheeks flushed crimson instantly, his long lashes fluttering as he shyly averted his eyes.

He had that boy-next-door charm—sweet, innocent, and utterly endearing.

"He's perfect," Claire declared with a satisfied smirk. Without hesitation, the dancer slid onto the plush velvet seat beside her, his body pressing close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

The manager turned to Evelyn with a raised brow. "And for you, miss?"

Evelyn cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. "I'm good, thanks."

While Lucas Bennett and Claire were embroiled in a bitter divorce, and the crowded lounge made it impossible for Claire to search for him table by table, her bold move was clearly meant to provoke him into revealing himself.

But Evelyn's situation was entirely different.

She had just bared her heart to Alexander, confessing feelings that had simmered for far too long. The mere thought of being seen with a lounge dancer now felt like betrayal—like she was dancing on the edge of a precipice she had no intention of falling from.