A wave of envy rippled through the crowd.

Everyone was suddenly very aware of Alexander Blackwood's presence.

His attention was solely on Evelyn.

"Care to join us for dinner?" he asked, his voice a low murmur. "We have an empty seat right here."

He was the picture of patience, waiting for her response.

Evelyn knew she didn't need looking after. Not really.

But if her old classmates hadn't been outright hostile back in college, she could tolerate them now.

The idea that they were "looking after her" was laughable. Yet, seeing Alexander's determined expression, she decided to play along.

She gave a slight nod.

From her corner, Rebecca Thornton watched the interaction with sharp eyes. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Alexander Blackwood was actually agreeing to stay.

Her gaze lingered on his sculpted features. A faint, unwelcome tug of attraction stirred in her chest.

She wondered if she still possessed her old charm. After all, a few carefully chosen words from her had this captivating man lingering.

Evelyn's cold attitude toward her was irrelevant. Rebecca dismissed it with an internal eye-roll.

Alexander's polite attention was the real prize. His courtesy felt like a personal victory.

As these thoughts swirled, Rebecca's confidence grew. But her face clouded with displeasure.

The sight of Alexander and Evelyn holding hands was irritating.

A man of his charm and wealth, devoted only to Evelyn? It seemed like such a waste.

Around them, the other guests shook off their shock. Their eyes widened as they processed his obvious affluence.

Evelyn's exorbitantly priced dress was proof enough. Their minds began racing, scheming ways to win his favor.

Flattery poured from their lips with practiced ease.

"Evelyn, you and your husband are truly a perfect match."

"You really should have brought him sooner, Evelyn. It would've been lovely for us all to get acquainted."

"Please, Mr. Blackwood, join our table. We'd be honored to share a meal with you."

Evelyn guided Alexander to their seats, utterly unmoved by the hollow compliments.

Rebecca's irritation, however, was plain to see. She maintained a frosty silence.

Then, a mischievous idea sparked in her mind.

A sly smile curved her lips. She leaned toward Alexander, her voice deliberately loud.

"Evelyn, it's funny," she began. "You were with your ex for such a long time. We all thought you'd marry him!"

She let the statement hang in the air for a moment.

Then she turned a probing gaze to Alexander.

"Mr. Blackwood," she asked, feigning innocence. "Does it bother you? That Evelyn had such a lengthy history with another man?"