219 The Kitchen Catastrophe

Evelyn and Sebastian jumped back in unison.

"Alexander!" Evelyn cried out, pushing past Sebastian and rushing into the kitchen.

The scene was one of pure chaos. The microwave had exploded, scattering its contents across the room.

Amidst the wreckage sat Alexander in his wheelchair, his face a mask of stunned disbelief. He clearly hadn't expected the appliance to self-destruct.

Evelyn ignored the ruined microwave and hurried to his side. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her voice thick with worry. "Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?"

"I'm fine," Alexander replied, his gaze fixed on the cookbook in his lap. He looked utterly bewildered. "Why did it do that?"

Relief washed over Evelyn. Seeing he was unharmed, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Her eyes scanned the mess, quickly spotting the tell-tale shell fragments. The puzzle clicked into place. "You can't microwave eggs in their shell. The pressure builds up and they burst."

Alexander's frown deepened. "I just wanted to make you dinner. You've been working so hard lately."

"It was a simple mistake in the process. That's all," Evelyn reasoned softly, trying to soothe him.

He looked genuinely crestfallen. After a moment's hesitation, he declared, "Wait here. I'll make something else."

"No, please don't," Evelyn interjected quickly. "Cooking is best left to the professionals. If you keep trying, you'll just make more of a mess for us to clean up."

She reached out and affectionately ruffled his hair, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Well, it seems there are some things even you can't master perfectly. That actually makes me feel a bit better about my own shortcomings!"

A small, reluctant smile touched Alexander's lips at her playful jab.

"You're right. I shouldn't create more work," he conceded, looking down at his food-stained clothes. "I should go and change."

"Alright," Evelyn said softly.

Just then, a faint click came from the kitchen doorway.

Alexander began to maneuver his wheelchair, but stopped short when he saw Sebastian standing there, phone in hand, having just taken a picture.

Caught in the act, Sebastian tried to quickly hide his phone, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Sebastian, what are you doing?" Alexander asked, his tone laced with clear annoyance.

Sebastian felt a flicker of irritation. During the car ride over, Evelyn had assured him that Alexander wasn't as difficult as he seemed. Yet here was Alexander, treating him with the same old disdain.

He silently lamented how Alexander always seemed to have one set of rules for Evelyn and another, much stricter set, for him. He wished Evelyn could see this side of him—Alexander was never this sharp with her.

Alexander narrowed his eyes and wheeled closer, fixing Sebastian with a stern glare. "I saw you take that picture. Delete it. Right now. Or you'll regret making me angry."

Sebastian's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route.

He was used to seeing Alexander as the epitome of composure, always untouchable and impeccably put together. This disheveled, flustered version of the man was a rare sight.

Thinking of the photo now saved on his phone, Sebastian felt a strong desire to keep it. It was a snapshot of a truly unguarded moment.

Perhaps, he mused, this little piece of blackmail could come in handy someday.