Have A Drink With Me!

"I need to go out to take care of something. You should have your dinner and get to bed early," Alexander said, his tone final after reading the message on his phone.

Evelyn was surprised. "But it's so late already."

She hesitated, her eyes moving instinctively to his wheelchair. "Where are you going? Let me come with you."

Alexander pocketed his phone and dismissed the idea immediately. "That won't be necessary. I won't be long."

He remembered how Evelyn had waited up for him the previous night and added, "Just finish your own tasks and rest. Don't wait up for me."

With that, he maneuvered his wheelchair swiftly out of the study.

She stood frozen, watching him disappear through the doorway. A profound wave of sympathy washed over her.

It had only been a few days since she moved into Serenity Oaks, and in that short time, Alexander had been buried in work, barely pausing for breath.

He was confined to a wheelchair. The butler had mentioned his stomach issues. If he continued at this relentless pace, his health would surely suffer.

She let out a soft sigh and turned to leave the study. Just then, the distant purr of an engine reached her ears—Alexander's car was leaving the estate.

A sliver of doubt entered her mind.

Despite supposedly owing Aethelgard Industries a staggering one hundred million dollars, Alexander never showed a hint of anxiety.

Anyone else would be consumed by worry, yet he carried himself as if it were nothing.

The more she thought about it, the more she connected Alexander to the elusive founder of Aethelgard Industries.

If her suspicion was correct, then everything made perfect sense.

Still, she couldn't understand why Alexander insisted on hiding his true capabilities. Was this also somehow tied to the Blackwood family?

She stopped herself. No—she shouldn't speculate.

No matter what, Alexander was her husband. Whatever he did, he must have his reasons. Her role was to trust him, not to pry into his affairs.

She believed that one day, he would tell her everything himself.

Meanwhile, Sebastian had already arrived at the bar mentioned in the message and was growing impatient.

"Hey, you finally showed up! Come on, have a drink with us. Don't just sit there," Sebastian said, pushing a glass across the table in invitation.

Alexander's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with irritation. "I didn't come here to drink."

Sebastian, unfazed, scoffed. "I'm your best friend. Can't you even have one drink with me?"

Alexander didn't even glance at the glass on the table. "No."

Sebastian blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter. Leaning in, he lowered his voice. "Why? Have you gotten too used to playing the part of a disabled man? This bar is full of my people. There's no way your family has spies here."

"It's not that," Alexander replied casually, but before he could finish his thought, an image of Evelyn's bright, smiling face flashed through his mind.

Sebastian frowned, confused. "Then what is it?"

Just then, his eyes landed on Alexander's outfit, and a flicker of amusement crossed his features.

"Wait a second—what's going on with you today? I don't think I've ever seen you wear anything like that. Your wardrobe is basically all dark and serious, but this jacket and shirt... they don't match that style at all."