Evelyn stepped into The Grand Crestwood.

The opulent lobby immediately assaulted her senses.

It was almost too much.

She walked further inside, her heels clicking softly on the marble.

She was sure the invitation said the first floor.

But the Sterling family's banquet hall was nowhere to be found.

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

Perhaps she should have taken Amelia up on her offer to send an escort.

Too late for regrets now.

Just as a wave of frustration began to rise, her phone vibrated.

Alexander's name flashed on the screen.

She answered quickly.

"Evelyn, have you arrived?" His voice was a low, familiar rumble.

She tried to sound confident. "Just parked the car. I'll be right there."

Alexander chuckled.

The sound warmed her ear. "Are you sure you're not lost?"

"I am not lost!" she insisted, a little too sharply. "I'm almost there. Don't rush me."

"Alright," he conceded, amusement still in his tone. "But if you're not here in five minutes, I'll have the hotel make an announcement."

An announcement? Panic seized her.

She pictured it clearly. "Would Mrs. Blackwood please report to the Sterling banquet on the first floor? Your husband is waiting."

The mere thought made her cringe.

"Alexander Blackwood, don't you dare! If you embarrass me, I swear I'll never forgive you!" Her voice was a mix of genuine threat and flustered irritation.

On the other end, Alexander smiled. He could perfectly imagine her indignant expression. "Fine, I'll be good. But hurry up."

He ended the call, a faint smile still playing on his lips.

Jonathan Sterling, standing nearby, observed him with interest.

"Remarkable," Jonathan remarked with a teasing grin. "I almost didn't recognize you for a moment."

Alexander met his gaze, unbothered. "No mystery. You'll meet my wife soon enough."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I look forward to it."

Meanwhile, Evelyn was still circling the first floor.

The sprawling layout was confusing.

Finally, she spotted a housekeeping attendant near a service corridor.

Relief washed over her.

She gathered the folds of her gown and hurried over.

"Excuse me, could you direct me to the Sterling family banquet?"

The woman straightened up and turned.

But upon seeing Evelyn's face, her own expression froze in sheer shock.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"It's you again!" she exclaimed, staring at Evelyn as if she'd seen a ghost.

Evelyn was taken aback. "I'm sorry?"

The woman, Miriam, was utterly overwhelmed.

She never expected to see this face here, of all places.

The resemblance to M Sterling was uncanny.

And strikingly, this young woman appeared to be about the same age as her own daughter, Amelia.